R44 operating costs
Paddy,
here is some general guidance.
Depreciation: between 10k and 20k a year. It will depend on the amount of time/hours left on the aircraft when you buy it. Your base figure is going to be around 30k, so take whatever is the WORSE figure: purchase price, less 30k divide by number of hours remaining OR purchase price, less 30k divided by number of years remaining.
Cost of finance: even if you buy for cash, you should factor in a cost for the "opportunity loss" if you have 100k tied up in an aircraft. At today's rates, 3% would be a reasonable figure. Obviously, if you are borrowing money, you'll have an exact figure.
Insurance; between 5k to 8k, if you decide to insure the hull. (You don't have to.) if you go for 3rd party risks then it comes down to around 2k. All this will depend on the value of the aircraft, the experience of the pilots and the use to which you are going to put your aircraft.
Fuel: about £75.00 per hour
Scheduled Maintenance: on 200 hours a year plan on around 8k.
Unscheduled maintenance: use an accrual. On 200 hours use something like £20.00 per hour. You could be lucky, or you could be unlucky!
Landing and hangarage: it will depend on where you are and where you go.
Selling hours: of course you can sell hours, but you must check your insurance policy covers you for this use. Also, be choosy about who flies your helicopter and make sure you have a written contract that all pilots, including yourself, sign. You'd be amazed how quickly you can fall out with your mate who has just oversped your R44 leaving you with a 16k bill.
Conclusion:
Decide whether you can afford it, or not.
If you can, forget about the costs and go out and enjoy yourself.
if you want any more advice, then feel free to PM me.
Big Ls.