Thomas coupling..
Ohhohh.. If Nick said it then it MUST be true
The original question was:
Please express pros and cons for comparisson and your final choice. $1 mil budget. thanks.
In my opinion the perceived LTE "Problem" of the 206 is not an issue in choosing which aircraft to buy! If properly flown itīs not a problem!!
Like was said for $1 mil you can get a nice 206L4 which is certainly a much superior aircraft to the EC-120.
I have a friend who operates EC-120 and from talking to him he seems to have unusual problems with parts availability and cost
Donīt get me started there..few months ago he had to replace the flashing beacon at a cost of $9.000.- The whole thing had to be replaced as a unit, not possible to change the bulb!
He flyīs his EC-120 about 350 to 400 hrs a year. I fly my AB206B a 1971 model with.. yes you guessed it, the small diameter tail rotor.. I fly about 150 hrs a year and guess who takes more money to the bank after all costs have been figured in? I do.
Needless to say his EC-120 is for sale.
When comparing the two EC-120 & B206 one should consider the autorotative characteristics as well of both aircraft. Since they are single engine I would much rather be in a B206 following engine failure, both aircraft do have engine failures like any motor vehicles and the outcome of such a failure will be more likely to be succesful in the B-206.
Unfortunately itīs difficult to do a "Study" of succesful outcomes of engine failure landings comparing aircraft since many countries do not require any reports to be made if the landing was succesful with no damage.
Here is my suggestion for the original poster:
"Be Smart, Fly Bell"