Totally agree and its not as if they're cheap with a new Raven II approaching $400,000 US by the time you spec it up. However, I believe you can now do a partial rebuild(overhaul) and so long as you replace the callender life parts, others can remain. So if you get to 12 years, have had the blades replaced half way through the helicopters life and an engine that has done only 1200 hours you don't need to replace the blades or engine at the rebuild. They will of course require changing when their callender life or hours are up, but helps a little.
There is a company in the UK who rebuilt an R44 Astro for around £50,000 approx $90,000 US and it is being sold with 12 years and 800 hours so maybe things are changing.....a bit!
I list the link below:
http://www.cotswoldhelicopters.co.uk/21114.html
Cheers to all and glad things are smooth Gaseous! Long may it continue.
