I owned one for 3 years, after 8 years on R44
operating cost is minimally different than a 44 for 100 hours a year
I would say below 10,000$, one annual, usually without smags, but every 24 months a 70 hours inspection
oil change, pretty simple , extremely reliable, much more satisfying to fly
smooth, no shaking, no blades AD or surprise
of course hull insurance will hit you in the face at about 2% of value , or more if you are green
I bought this EC 2004, did the full 12 year inspection, turbine overhaul....thats the expensive part
and seems to gain in value ever since, TBO on all components is way above any other machine in its class
and after 12 year was still worth a bundle, excuse my english...
ask your mechanic for a list of TBO item, but all in the thousands hour
jp
my EC120b 2004
it keeps its value were as my 44 dropped to a low 100k us when the 12 year came around.
excellent machine for private, and 3,5 hours of flying at 100 kts while burning 200 pounds of jet fuel which is cheaper than 100ll
if you push it to 120 kts, you will burn about 240 pounds.