Private Helicopters Are Cheaper to Own

Experimental helicopters, also known as kit-built helicopters or homebuilt helicopters, can be relatively inexpensive compared to commercially manufactured helicopters. This is because they are often constructed by hobbyists or aviation enthusiasts who purchase kits and assemble the aircraft themselves.

However, it is important to note that experimental helicopters still require a significant investment of time, effort, and money to construct and maintain. The cost of the kit itself can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity and features of the aircraft. In addition, there may be significant costs associated with obtaining necessary licenses, certifications, and insurance.

Furthermore, experimental helicopters may not have the same level of reliability or safety features as commercially manufactured helicopters, and their performance may vary depending on factors such as weather and altitude. As such, it is important to thoroughly research and understand the risks and requirements before embarking on a project to build or fly an experimental helicopter.

[seeharvester]

I knew a guy, 30 something years old, made a bunch of money in Silicon Valley back in the late 1990s.
He learned to fly a helicopter, bought one, then bought some land on the side of the mountain just outside & east of Lake Tahoe.
I was the masonry contractor on the house he built up on the side of the mountain. Built a heliport, and a special garage under the house to park his copter. Semi remote location, making it easier to fly in as opposed to driving in. Smart guy, rich, 30ish years old, good lookin' kid, prime of his life.
Guess what? 2 years later he was dead. Helicopter crash coming over the mountain.
Be very careful my friend.

Edit:
I had so many replies and likes on this comment that I went back and researched the guy because, I'm ashamed to say, after all these years, I couldn't remember his name. Turns out I got a couple of things wrong.
It must have been more than 2 years after he built his house, and he didn't crash on the mountain. He actually crashed in the Carson Valley.
I also checked out his house on Google earth, and it looks like he had added a separate garage to park his "new", bigger chopper.
The first one he had apparently was a Robinson R22, which he parked under the house, but later crashed and survived.
Then he bought a R44, and I guess needed a bigger place to park it.
Then he crashed the R44 in the valley in 2006, which is the one that killed him.
If you'd care to see the house, it's 1000 Kingsbury Grade Road, Gardnerville, NV.
If you look at it on google earth, you'll notice how the driveway next to the house has a large circular area which is where the original landing zone was.
Now, as you can see, it's the white spot down the at the end of the driveway where the 'new' garage is.
His name was Patrick Samal and he was 41 when he died.
RIP Pat.

[Maverickib]

1. I highly recommend getting your helicopter add-on. They're difficult to learn, but highly rewarding, and nothing really beats the nature of how when you're flying a helicopter, you're "connected" to the machine. It basically becomes an extension of your body, especially when hovering.

2. Experimental helos are a mixed bag. The unfortunate truth is helos are significantly more complicated than airplanes. Way more moving parts, tighter tolerances, more things meshing and interacting. Building one yourself is daunting, but even more daunting is buying one that was built by someone else. The zip tie connecting the lever to the flaps in your airplane breaks and you're not gonna be having fun, but you can land. A single loose bolt or lazy fix in a helicopter leads to rapid midair disassembly. The new RotorX birds have shaft driven tail rotors, but most on the market are the older Rotorways with belt driven tails that failed frequently enough to turn most pilots away from them. Safaris are decent I hear, but a small operation struggling to source parts. Hummingbirds are good but very heavy, they're not as light as they claim so everyone who dreams of carrying 4 in an experimental helo in one is gonna have to be okay with only having a couple gallons of fuel. It sucks, but the experimental helo market just doesn't have much quality competition like the experimental airplane one does.

[jordanmcmurray]

My hesitation with helicopters has always been when I look at glide ratios for emergency engine outs. Most planes you get a 10:1 ratio while in a helicopter you're lucky to get 3:1 and that terrifies me.

[monkeybarmonkeyman]

The biggest issue I'd have with these helicopters you cover would be maintenance. People often let things 'slide' - like preflight for example. Costs to maintain an experimental bird could prove very prohibitive... so folks wouldn't, accidents & deaths would increase... due to mechanical failure & pilot error... which in the end, would/could kill the whole category if the feds get involved.

[zpepe]

I've always been a huge fan of the RotorX (rebranded now). I think it's gorgeous, reminds me of my dad (he was a heli pilot) Gazelle. I think I've been a fan for the better part of 15 years. That's the one I would love to buy/build. Definitely need the doors on it. This chopper can legitimately be used for transport.

[puravida]

I am a former military helicopter pilot. It's one of life's greatest pleasures! To add to the excitement, saving lives and avoiding ground fire.

[MrChipBryant]

Thank you for a good video. No long intro, no obnoxious music, good information also

[The_Conspiracy_Analyst]

Don't forget, there's also gyrocopters, even more attainable. They're also more forgiving. A great entry point into the rotary wing world

[JumboShrmp]

Mike look into an experimental helicopter, called the hummingbird. It’s the only experimental helicopter that seats four.

[buckmurdock]

cheaper to own than what? There is nothing cheap about helicopters.

[KennethKustren-lrtg]

GODS SPEED .. SIR !!
MAY YOUR TRAVELS ALWAYS BE BLESSED WITH A HEALTHY TAILWIND !!

[MrGrombie]

I remember watching a video about a kid in Africa who made his own from car parts. Imagine how much he spent compared to what these are going for.

That said, I’d hope the money you put into these would go into safety.

[hlf_coder]

I fly paramotors. Training was $3500 and equipment 15k. So for 20k you're in the air.

But admittedly, there are drawbacks. Like really only being able to fly in the first couple hours of the day and last couple hours of the day due to thermals. But it's fun as hell. You haven't experienced life until you're floating in the sky at 6 am by yourself drinking a coffee.

[JimYeats]

There isn’t much that worries or concerns me, but the risk reward equation doesn’t work out (at least for me) with regards to flying a home built experimental helicopter as a private pilot. Seems more like a; not “if you crash”, but “when you crash” type of scenario.

[fraziernutzov]

Building turbine time in this little helo sounds better than it really is. I’m a 19, 000 hr pilot, currently flying corporate jets but I’ve done military, Pt-135 & Pt-121 as well. When you apply for a job it’s not just hours, the company wants to know your hours by TYPE. Think about it. Imagine you are screening ten resumes for an airline’s recruiters to interview. Five of them show turbine time in King Airs, SAABs etc, flying IFR and multi-pilot crew. Four show time in TBMs, Caravans etc, still IFR and maybe multi-crew too. And one resume shows turbine time playing around VFR in this single-seat Mosquito. Which resume would you immediately discard? Unless your goal is to be a Mosquito demo pilot, I’d abandon this plan.

[gilkennedy]

You might want consider the Safari 400, more powerful than the Rotorway, 650 pound of payload, with a Lyc 360, maybe you don't like the look of the open frame, but its very practical to see everything on preflight and maintenance ( I own one )

[OffGridInvestor]

This IS VERY COMMON on outback Australia. Only realistic way to round up cattle during muster season

[CardanoETF]

"have a crazy fascination with Helicopters..." Brother you aint alone!

[pasofino]

“Most of the time it will be just you” I felt that

[stealhty]

HX-50 Chopper for $550K that's a hypothetical numbers, , remember when Eclipse jet first came on the market advertise as under $1M dollar jet ? and end up costing nearly twice as much