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Old 13th Dec 2007, 14:20
  #5 (permalink)  
rotorspeed
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Europe
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Go for an AS350 (single Squirrel). Older ones well maintained are very reliable too and can look new with a good paint and trim - from £350k - £400k. B206 good solid plodder but starting to get cramped for 3 in the back, slower and noisier. B407 much more expensive to buy than older AS350 so probably unrealistic for first turbine.

With AS350 plenty of baggage space and scope for 6 people with 4 in the back, or great comfort for 3 in the back. Big front doors for rear access safer too than rear doors, which sooner or later will not be closed properly or have belts left hanging out! Easy and quiet to fly with just 30 sec shutdown too.

There are a few around with autopilots which is a big benefit, though you'll trade payload. Even base 350 powerful enough for family use, though B2 and B3 mean you can fill both tanks and pax up. At a price though - as ever, you get what you pay for!
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