An R22 here in France costs 197k€ (including delivery, excluding tax) without any options, so it's still significantly more expensive.
The CH77 running costs are likely to be considerably less. My Kompress uses 20 litres/hr of unleaded mogas, and doesn't have a 12 year life. Also, as the builder I can do most of the maintenance myself. It's based at 8000 ft where it can depart vertically at MTOW, and can comfortably overfly Mt Blanc. I think it may be the highest based helicopter in Europe.
But more importantly we're not comparing like with like. The CH77 will operate as a permit aircraft, with all the associated freedoms and economies, whereas the R22 benefits from the privileges, as well as suffering the constraints of certification.
Personally, I don't want an R22. I fly for fun, and the performance and handling of the Kompress are extraordinary.
Last edited by No Foehn; 5th Jul 2011 at 12:56.