Lay of the land in Helicopter world

[piperboy84]

Trying to get my head around the brands, models and capabilities of small helicopters, I’m a commercial, instrument SEL qualified pilot who is looking into a helicopter add-on rating. I have located a training facility in the US that seems to fit the bill for price, reputation and location to do the conversion.

However post training I would probably be in the market for a mid-time used machine to keep at the farm strip along with my fixed wing SEL as opposed to renting,

With the above in mind and operating on the principle that I know SFA about helicopter models and ownership I have the following questions:

1. Apart from the obvious R22 what would be a similar other brand basic machines ie Enstrom, Schweizer etc ? What are the general pro and cons of these brands for someone in the market for a basic certificated used machine? What is the equivalent to a C172 in the helicopter world?

2. I would probably be looking for an N reg like my Maule, the FAA allow 30 maintenance tasks that lets me to do a fair amount of routine maintenance myself which saves a couple of quid on the operating costs of the Maule. Is this the same for helicopters and is this advisable for a non A&P? Other than the engine what are the big “gotcha” items, if any, in helicopter maintenance that jump out costing an arm and leg.

3. I know that Robinson is a strong long term manufacturer, are there European brands similar to Robinson that have good parts and maintenance support in the UK with a decent sized used market.

4. Is there an “LSA” type model in the helicopter world similar to that in the fixed wing arena , if so is the market and product development as mature as the fixed wing manufacturers in regards to national approvals and safety etc?

I plan on doing some in depth due diligence regarding model AD's and service bulletins and reputation etc, but thought I would throw it out here first to see if I can whittle down my choices to a machine whose mission would be carrying 2 people, no baggage carrying needed or high useful load, don't care about cruise speed, local flights no more then 250 mile round trip without refueling, VFR machine that burns less then 15USG per hour, preferably with an engine that has a big parts market.

[EN48]

Be sure to study the safety records carefully. Enstrom safety record is superb; others, perhaps not so much.

[Gemini Twin]

This one will probably go something like this: Robinson, NO. Cabri G2, YES.


Schweizer 300, No. Enstrom 280FX Yes. Used B206, Yes. Used EC120, No.


.....and on and on and on.


Please see other threads which have addressed the same question.

[aa777888]

What is the equivalent to a C172 in the helicopter world?

Around here (New England, USA), the "C172 of the helicopter world" has got to be the R44 Raven II. That is what your average "weekend helicopter warrior" is piloting and there are a great many of them flying compared to anything else even close to that type of machine (300NM range with all 4 seats filled).

Say what you want about it's safety and flying qualities, it's a tough act to beat. From $250K for something with say 1000 hours/5 years left on it to $350K for a very nice used ship, or $480K or so for a brand new one, there's nothing else that will fly 828 lb (+/-) plus full tanks for 300+NM at anywhere near those prices. The next closest machine would be an R66! You can't do it in a 480B. MD500's and old Jetbox's don't generally get that inexpensive (nor do 480B's for that matter).

I'm looking into buying an R44 myself, but sadly the demographic for private heli owners is just not the same as for C172's! Whereas you can easily find 2 or 3 folks to form a partnership for a 172, the cost of a heli license, even an add-on, is steep enough that people with rotorcraft licenses seem to be wealthy enough to not want to share. I'm in that funny middle ground, able to afford the license but not quite willing to go all in on the heli, even a cheaper R44.

Anyone looking to partner in southern NH?

[piperboy84]

, the cost of a heli license, even an add-on, is steep enough that people with rotorcraft licenses seem to be wealthy enough to not want to share

I found a place that I thought was reasonable compared to what i spent getting my fixed wing IR/CPL rating, from their website:

Helicopter ADD ON for those with commercial airplane rating
Per Hour Total
40 Hrs. Flight Instruction $300 $12,000.00
10 Hrs. Solo Flight Time $250 $2,500.00
20 Hrs Ground Instruction $0.00 $0.00
Commercial Written Exam n/a $0.00
FAA Examiner's Fee n/a $500.00
TOTAL $15,000


I know what you mean about the "funny middle ground" regarding being a sole owner, sure would be nice to get 1 or 2 other folks to go in on one with me and still be able to keep the fixed wing. As the GF says always says to me with a sigh "first world problems"
,