#258 Helicopter Ownership - the cost: EXPENSIVE

#258 Helicopter Ownership - the cost: EXPENSIVE

[ddtddt]

I’d like to share my experience. First of all piston helicopters have little scope outside of flight school use. I once ferried an R22 for almost 800nm. Needless to say I would have rather walked the distance. Just to double check a few weeks ago I flew about 4 hours in another R22 and when I got home I was still sore. This to mean that the limitations that a piston 2 seater imposed on the owner are severe. The 22 is an AMAZING instructional machine (even though it was not meant to be). What makes it a great teacher are the characteristics (limits) that do not make it good for much else. It’s light (wind is to be accounted for more than in heavier machines) the power in never in excess (limited) it only has minimum space for two and carries no luggage. If the pIlot and passenger are not featherweights, the loadable fuel is not enough to get much done. Can’t do any real commercial (money maker) work. These are the reasons that make me feel that the only “reasonable” use for a two seater piston is teaching. But again if money is NOT the issue then even a mosquito makes sense.

[braddavis]

Very good advice when deciding on renting vs buying in almost anything. I am just here for fun but what you said is very practical 🤠

[bojangles]

I'm a proud armchair pilot with 500 hours of flight sim experience under my belt.

[OOTurok]

What you do is... buy a helicopter, & lease it to a flight school.

Or win the lottery.

[rickb]

I have $2.7M budgeted for a 2018 - 2020 Bell 505 Jetranger. Is this a good call? I know I can get it cheaper than what I've got saved, but I know there will be significant costs for maintenance, a pilot to _spot_ me until I finish pilot school and a bunch of other costs I'm likely not privy to or haven't realized exist yet. I will have a regular flight between Northeast Ohio and Fort Wayne Indiana starting this summer. Am I an idiot, or what, I'd like your take sir.

[andrewpratten]

Please make a video about the other side of the coin: monetization of ownership.. ther numbers behind that.

[pyrogun]

~$2, 500/month to own a helicopter without flying it at all....yikes. Not totally surprised by that number, but I can certainly see why there aren't more aircraft owners.

[jimmckay]

Helicopter toy, is for those with a 7 figure income and above. Gyrocopters are for the rest of us. Or if your going to get into a business, then you can generate a 7 figure income, to support your helicopter. That's the simple Law of Money. Money will dictate what you will do or not do. A simple business plan.... DNR/Forst Service. Your gereenteed 1 Lightning 2 Fire 3 Government
Good Luck.

[americanparser]

It's like being at the Jaguar dealership, and when you ask, "What kind of mileage does this thing get?"

The salesperson replies, "Sir, if you're worried about gas mileage, you can't afford a Jaguar."