I toured the factory in Frederick Oklahoma sometime in 1979 while a medical student completing my rural medicine assignment. I recall that they were building a 5 seat model. I was also shown the R&D “department “, blueprints, modifications being built into the model that they were constructing. It was connected to a flight school which was either physically connected to a portion of the factory or in a very close by building. After taking the job in the local ER I was tempted to attend the flight school which gave both rotary and fixed wing license. That never happened for various reasons yet I fondly remember the hospitality. I stopped in to see Frederick on an RV trip last fall. I left feeling so very sad. The city looks like it’s on its way to become a ghost town. Homes that were pristine in 1980 are falling over. Streets are crumbling and pot holes galore. The hospital closed in 2016. I never made it out to the airport. Anyway, fascinated by choppers since that tour and had wondered what became of the company.
Reed S West, e-mail, 09.01.2021 03:01
Hello Rebecca I owned a B2B in 1997, I went to the factory in Vernon for a visit and met with Maxim cheu the new Chinese owner about buying a new Brantley, currently I'm in the process of developing a B2B kit helicopter for the home built market, I'm contacting you to see if you have any of your dad's blueprints or design criteria for any of the Brantley models I could purchase? I'm also looking to contact other individuals in your area that worked for Brantley? And I'm a cash buyer looking for parts and non-flying brantley's, My email is reedwest58@gmail.com,, cell. 360-827-2837 please feel free to contact me anytime, I live in Washington State. Regards Reed West
Rebecca Tracer, e-mail, 17.12.2016 23:08
In early 1999 my dad worse for brantley down in Vernon Texas. I remember he told me about a problem with the tail motor and design in the 305. I believe his job was to design the changes and turn them to blueprints. It is only a bittersweet memory for me now.. He loved what he did at Brantley.
Don Hillberg, e-mail, 31.08.2010 00:26
Love the Brantly! Flew one across Alaska, Thanks Bob! It was fun!
B Schulte, e-mail, 20.12.2009 06:37
I learned to fly the Brantly B2-B under the Vietnam Vets GI bill. I logged 60+ hours at Michigan City Municipal Airport in Michigan City, Indiana. The B2-B was fun to fly but required much co-ordination to fly. L & R feet on rudder pedals, L Hand on throttle and main rotor pitch control, and R hand on cyclic stick 360 degree direction control. I needed 30 hours of dual to solo. At 29hrs I thought I would never get it, at 30 hours it seemed like I had always been able to do it. Like learning to ride a bicycle. Words cannot discribe the thrill of flying a helicopter.
