20 years ago we were costing the A++ at $1100/hr when bidding contracts, but they were the old phase 2 and didn't have the expensive bits of the C++ like DECU, EFIS, IIDS, FDC.
Helicopters seem to age out in some countries/markets and not in others. Lots of old 212's, 412's, 76's still working here, and yet the local "money-no-object" medvac charities that bought the latest and greatest fleet of AW139 have dumped them all now in favour of even newer EC145 (Noooby, any insights?). Hell, a couple days ago I overheard an old Bell 47 call sign that I had done training in 30 years ago that was still out there beating the sky for a living. Wondered how old it was and it turned out to be 68 (1952 manufacture). So that 76A++ in good nick still has a long run ahead of it.
Last edited by malabo; 21st Nov 2020 at 16:35.