Originally Posted by
Bell_ringer
The $1800 was for the R44 course.
The R22 course is listed as $1133.
If your budget is $1800 a year, in modern money, in these parts, thats about 4 or 5 hours of rental in a R44, and that isn't enough for currency and proficiency. Costs have more than doubled in 10 years. Probably safe to say that you wouldn't be the target market and it doesn't reflect any Robbie drivers I know. Helicopter flying is not value for money, and if you can't afford the hours or training it is probably better to consider fixed wing instead.
As a percentage of total spend to obtain a license, $1200-$1800 is barely scratching the surface.
Yes, $1,800 is for the 44. Just as $750 was also for the 44 back in 2020. I used to rent the 22, but would still get a BFR in the 44 just in case I found one of those (live in your car wage) tour jobs that come around each Summer.
My rental budget was about $4k a year (to rent the 22). So the increase to $1,800 would be (like I said) about half that. The rental price I was paying for the 22 went from about $180/hr in 2003 to $280/hr in 2019, then the school closed.
Today (when I fly once every six months with a babysitter because there's no place near me to rent anymore) its $350/hr for the 22.
Even when I have found places to rent (usually at least an hour and a half drive away) they require ridiculously expenses renters insurance now. So, I've basically been priced out of the self-fly-hire game.
It was fun while it lasted though.