If you are carrying bags as well as pax: I'd suggest the only machine that will do the job is an AS350 variant with "Squirrel Cheeks" (Dart or American Eurocopter baggage extenders – CAN”T BE FITTED WITH SLIDING DOORS).
(I’ve flown these machines on Tourist Transport ops in Fiji)
As to your Q re AS350 models:
AS350B (1950kg MTOW, Older design blades)
AS350BA (2100kg {but typically 50kg heaver MT, so 100kg/1 pax improvement} MTOW, 355 Blades, more grunt}
AS350B2 (2200?kg, more grunt) There were a few B1s - 1/2 way between BA&B2
AS350B3 (Same MTOW?, more grunt again. {FADEC and electronics, not universally accepted as superior})
AS350B3e – out of your price range.
To sum up: More useful load costs more to buy and operate.
Work out your requirements re pax/bags/fuel weight......
The Lycoming engined equivalents (approximate equivalents) use a "Super D" instead of "B" in the name.EG “AS350 Super D2” is a Lycoming LTS101 powered version of an AS350B2
The Lycomings were originally faulty, and coined the name "Falling Star" (for the original AS350D "Astar") (Killed the B222 BTW)
With a replacement design for one "wheel" and specific operating procedures, the Lycomings are now considered great motors. Better fuel consumption, lower costs, but in my limited experience, not as sharp on FCU control of RRPM.
I’d rather fly a French engine. I’d rather own an American engine.
I’d rather fly a Squirrel. I’d rather own (or crash) a Bell.
I hope this helps.
"Are you sure that low fuel light should be on?"*
*tragic Fijian "in joke"........."
Last edited by That lights normal!; 9th August 2012 at 00:38.