Squirrels for Sale?
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Good ones are quite rare and expensive, market rates have sky rocketed in the last 8-12 months.
we looked for 6 months before we found our B2, try the websites. Aircraft dealer network, trade a plane or global plane search.com they advertise world wide but be aware most agents offer the same aircraft at surprisingly different rates depending on the margin they are after, do your home work, dont rush in, and always best to track down the original seller and cut out the middle men!! will save you lots of $$$
oh and dont forget to do some haggling!!..they will all be after your business and be your best friend for about 2 weeks!!
we looked for 6 months before we found our B2, try the websites. Aircraft dealer network, trade a plane or global plane search.com they advertise world wide but be aware most agents offer the same aircraft at surprisingly different rates depending on the margin they are after, do your home work, dont rush in, and always best to track down the original seller and cut out the middle men!! will save you lots of $$$
oh and dont forget to do some haggling!!..they will all be after your business and be your best friend for about 2 weeks!!
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Thanks very much for your reply. I thought I was going bonkers re the prices, some of them are nearly as much as a new one, yet they are years old, and many are approaching some major maintenance! Do you know why the prices are so high? I am new to helicopters and this pricing just doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I am missing something..... 
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Ms Squirrel,
If you are new to all this, and I don't mean to be teaching you to suck eggs, it may be prudent to get somebody onside who has some knowledge and experience of buying second hand aircraft, and even better of buying second hand 350's/355's.
And in my honest opinion NEVER buy anything without a survey being done by somebody who KNOWS the type.
That's my two pence worth!
If you are new to all this, and I don't mean to be teaching you to suck eggs, it may be prudent to get somebody onside who has some knowledge and experience of buying second hand aircraft, and even better of buying second hand 350's/355's.
And in my honest opinion NEVER buy anything without a survey being done by somebody who KNOWS the type.
That's my two pence worth!
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HeliEng - Thank you for your contribution. I certainly would not go banging around an aircraft without assistance, I realise I haven't got a clue and would require professional help. Next question is though; where does one find such a person who is suitably qualified for the job?
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I'd start by speaking to a company that operate AS350's.
How about London Helicopters at Redhill, Elite Helicopters at Goodwood or Oxford Air Services at Oxford as three closeish suggestions. I'd avoid any so called (and self described sales gods) that have no knowledge of the type
Why are you looking? Private owner looking to just use the aircraft for yourself? Prospective owner thats looking to lease back some hours? Will you need help with hangarage and maintenance? Looking for an aircraft already on the G reg or do you require an aircraft on an alternative reg? Probably a good idea to consider all options from the outset.
I cannot think of any for sale at present, but feel free to PM any definitive questions you may have (if any) and I'll do my best to provide some practical guidance where I can.
FW
How about London Helicopters at Redhill, Elite Helicopters at Goodwood or Oxford Air Services at Oxford as three closeish suggestions. I'd avoid any so called (and self described sales gods) that have no knowledge of the type
Why are you looking? Private owner looking to just use the aircraft for yourself? Prospective owner thats looking to lease back some hours? Will you need help with hangarage and maintenance? Looking for an aircraft already on the G reg or do you require an aircraft on an alternative reg? Probably a good idea to consider all options from the outset.
I cannot think of any for sale at present, but feel free to PM any definitive questions you may have (if any) and I'll do my best to provide some practical guidance where I can.
FW
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Squirrel for sale (UK)
You can have my Twin Squirrel for the price of a single, thats the market right now! I'm getting a new toy to play with.
£650,000 really nice machine and lots of work done, good componant times etc. PM me if you are interested, also well connected to what is and isn't a good single if you're going that way.
cheers,
SF
£650,000 really nice machine and lots of work done, good componant times etc. PM me if you are interested, also well connected to what is and isn't a good single if you're going that way.
cheers,
SF
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Ms Squirrel,
For a survey, I would get an engineer from McAlpine. If anybody knows 350's they do.
Give them a ring, and ask for a quote. You will get a 350 type licenced engineer who will know his stuff.
For a survey, I would get an engineer from McAlpine. If anybody knows 350's they do.
Give them a ring, and ask for a quote. You will get a 350 type licenced engineer who will know his stuff.
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MS Squirrel.
There are a few advertised in this fortnights Heli-data.
As heli-eng said make sure you get a decent survey done, McAlpines are the UK eurocopter agent and as such are rather pricey, there are lots of people out there who will do you a survey at varying prices.
Good luck with your search.
There are a few advertised in this fortnights Heli-data.
As heli-eng said make sure you get a decent survey done, McAlpines are the UK eurocopter agent and as such are rather pricey, there are lots of people out there who will do you a survey at varying prices.
Good luck with your search.
There is another way.
Most B and BA models can be upgraded to a B2. A B1 is a fairly easy upgrade.
The issue is the mod status to begin with as to how much it will cost. It can only be done by EC or their approved distributors. Although I have seen one done by an outside organisation on a sub-contract basis.
Find a late model B or BA that is coming up for 12 yearly or major engine work.
There are some 9000 series aircraft out there which are factory "remanufactured".
I remember the days when the 350 market was flooded with machines all of similar performance. The market was stagnant and going backwards. I am sure that was the impetus behind models with performance increases and EC buying some of them back and remanufacturing and upgrading them. The 350 was its own worst enemy.
The latest B2's are VEMD equipped and I doubt that this will ever become a retro/upgrade.
Could never understand private owners who have bought B3's. They are highly unlikely to use the increased gross weight as that ONLY applies to external loads and the fuel burn is higher and less so the engine is more expensive to operate.
If you have the cash, the market (at the moment) is such that you can by a new B2, B3 or B4 operate it until the warranty is starting to end and sell it on for the same or possibly more than you paid for it!! Needless to say you would have already ordered its replacement.
In my own personal experience, I have found that it pays off to deal with EC for the support of your aircraft but be very sure you know what you are paying for and hold them to it. Unfortunately customer dissatisfaction can come from ignorance on the EC side. Sometimes this is an aircraft that sells in spite of the manufacturers best efforts not to!!
Don't think I need to duck for cover on that one, just don't expect the EC people to know what you want!! Thats your problem.
stas-fan's option may be viable. When there was a glut of F's out of the GOM, these machines were very cheap and if you gut all the junk out of them you can get the useful load to very close to a B2. 2 x 20 F's and a C-Box probably cost less than a 1D1 to operate anyway!
When you are looking for somebody to do your pre-buy they should know all the answers!
Most B and BA models can be upgraded to a B2. A B1 is a fairly easy upgrade.
The issue is the mod status to begin with as to how much it will cost. It can only be done by EC or their approved distributors. Although I have seen one done by an outside organisation on a sub-contract basis.
Find a late model B or BA that is coming up for 12 yearly or major engine work.
There are some 9000 series aircraft out there which are factory "remanufactured".
I remember the days when the 350 market was flooded with machines all of similar performance. The market was stagnant and going backwards. I am sure that was the impetus behind models with performance increases and EC buying some of them back and remanufacturing and upgrading them. The 350 was its own worst enemy.
The latest B2's are VEMD equipped and I doubt that this will ever become a retro/upgrade.
Could never understand private owners who have bought B3's. They are highly unlikely to use the increased gross weight as that ONLY applies to external loads and the fuel burn is higher and less so the engine is more expensive to operate.
If you have the cash, the market (at the moment) is such that you can by a new B2, B3 or B4 operate it until the warranty is starting to end and sell it on for the same or possibly more than you paid for it!! Needless to say you would have already ordered its replacement.
In my own personal experience, I have found that it pays off to deal with EC for the support of your aircraft but be very sure you know what you are paying for and hold them to it. Unfortunately customer dissatisfaction can come from ignorance on the EC side. Sometimes this is an aircraft that sells in spite of the manufacturers best efforts not to!!
Don't think I need to duck for cover on that one, just don't expect the EC people to know what you want!! Thats your problem.
stas-fan's option may be viable. When there was a glut of F's out of the GOM, these machines were very cheap and if you gut all the junk out of them you can get the useful load to very close to a B2. 2 x 20 F's and a C-Box probably cost less than a 1D1 to operate anyway!
When you are looking for somebody to do your pre-buy they should know all the answers!
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Thank you RVDT. The B2 I currently fly was once erm...something else, so I was aware it could be done, although might be a bit advanced for someone like myself to take on, but will look into it further. The problem with getting a B2 new at the moment is that there is a 25-27 month waiting list against a much shorter time for the B3 (this is what I was told my McAlpine). I hear what you say about the warranty, this had also crossed my mind as a potential plan.
Thanks to everyone for all their help and to those who have also PM'd me, it is great to get such varied independent opinions all of which have been very helpful
Thanks to everyone for all their help and to those who have also PM'd me, it is great to get such varied independent opinions all of which have been very helpful
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Hello Miss Squirrel
Yes I know of one AS350B2 for sale, as for any AS350B3 you will have to contact me if that is ok to review your requirements.
Please note that there aren't many AS350B2 on the market and that price are reaching pass the top of the band.
Let me know if you need more information and how we can get in touch as well. I work with Eurocopter network and a selective number of Professionals. I only present helicopters which I know have very good if not excellent maintenance records.
Thanks for your attention,
Uplifter
Please note that there aren't many AS350B2 on the market and that price are reaching pass the top of the band.
Let me know if you need more information and how we can get in touch as well. I work with Eurocopter network and a selective number of Professionals. I only present helicopters which I know have very good if not excellent maintenance records.
Thanks for your attention,
Uplifter
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Very Interesting Comments
Hello,
I just wanted to comment on your email to Ms Squirrel. I agree with what you said about the level of support and current market condition with reference to the AS350B2-B3 helicopters. I work very closely with Eurocopter and their service centre. I have had four AS350B2 for sale over the past six months. They sold like hot pancake, but they were extremely expensive. As for the AS355F indeed you will have a fantastic support for your Rolls-Royce engine as the network is much more flexible and open to competition than the Turbomeca one. I specialise on the Rolls-Royce model 250 and work exclusively with Standard Aero. If you have any question about the engine, give us a shout and we will guide you through any requirement you may have, may I add with passion and excellent after sales support!
Thanks for your time reading,
Uplifter from Uplifting Aviation Ltd
I just wanted to comment on your email to Ms Squirrel. I agree with what you said about the level of support and current market condition with reference to the AS350B2-B3 helicopters. I work very closely with Eurocopter and their service centre. I have had four AS350B2 for sale over the past six months. They sold like hot pancake, but they were extremely expensive. As for the AS355F indeed you will have a fantastic support for your Rolls-Royce engine as the network is much more flexible and open to competition than the Turbomeca one. I specialise on the Rolls-Royce model 250 and work exclusively with Standard Aero. If you have any question about the engine, give us a shout and we will guide you through any requirement you may have, may I add with passion and excellent after sales support!
Thanks for your time reading,
Uplifter from Uplifting Aviation Ltd
I have never found the BA lacking in power even when 6 up . Unless you are doing sling work why not go for a BA ? We do charter with 5 pax often and i think it performs better than the 355,s. ( not the N , but that is prob getting a new engine ......) You can have my BA for 600k and its components are all nearly new , inc engine !!