Camp Freddie - I haven't owned a helicopter, so can't speak with authority, but saying that most people who own helicopters don't need to make money isn't right - a working helicopter can and should make money, as many do.
I guess you're referring to private owners.
Like any business proposition, if Kopterman can buy a machine, get it on line working and make more than it costs him to own and operate, well and good, as long as his cash flow and reserves are sufficient to cope with the big expenses like major component overhauls, insurance, coping with an accident, say, where it's on the ground for a long time being fixed and generating no income - obviously not for the faint hearted, or the shoestring budget.