Hughes500:
My own cost analysis is based on Robinson ownership and I was lucky enough to make a profit on my last one, without creative accounting.
As to my "typical jorno half truths", the costs panel in the ST story was actually written by a sub-editor who did his own research; nonetheless I agree with his figures. If there's an unused Astro out there it would probably sell for £185,000. Insurance is between £8 and £9K, and servicing runs around £2,500 a year - obviously depending on level of usage, star annuals and luck. The cost of fuel for the flight was what I paid, plus the landing fee at Bodmin.
There is no claim that this represents the entire cost of helicopter ownership, any more than the figures for the Honda or the VW represent the full cost of bike or car ownership. It's merely a guide, and a good one at that.