Bell 430 vs A109S
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Royal Leamington Spa
Age: 78
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Ha ha, do you want the long or the short answer, for the long answer you'll need to catch me on a day when I've had a more substantial breakfast (oh by the way, do you want to read a fun article about breakfast eating habits, ha ha, then read this).
So, the short version. The 430 is on the way out, expensive to operate and is no longer being produced. It means that the longer the clock keeps ticking (and there ain't no way of stopping it) the more your asset will depreciate, just that this one will depreciate rapidly. It also means though that you can pick them up real cheap too but, as I say, just be prepared for those expensive operating costs.
If you want performance, not just CAT A but speed also, the Italians have it when it comes to executive light twins.
So, the short version. The 430 is on the way out, expensive to operate and is no longer being produced. It means that the longer the clock keeps ticking (and there ain't no way of stopping it) the more your asset will depreciate, just that this one will depreciate rapidly. It also means though that you can pick them up real cheap too but, as I say, just be prepared for those expensive operating costs.
If you want performance, not just CAT A but speed also, the Italians have it when it comes to executive light twins.
As Supplebottom has said, one of the considerations for any buyer will be the variation in acquisition cost. A 3000 hr 430 can be obtained for around USD 1.5m whereas an 'S' model (albeit with half those hours) will set you back more than twice as much.
Regarding operations between 7,000 and 10,000 ft (your indicated operating range) perhaps some other PPRuNers flying the S model can chip in and provide you with first hand experience.
Good luck!
Regarding operations between 7,000 and 10,000 ft (your indicated operating range) perhaps some other PPRuNers flying the S model can chip in and provide you with first hand experience.
Good luck!
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Switzerland
Age: 37
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I fly both (b430 and A109S) in Switzerland between up to 4000m.
The B430 is coming to it's limit at 2000m. the 250-c40 are not really done for hot and high. The A109S or SP are way better.
In view of flight comfort there is no other Helicopter who can beat the B430.
So if you don't have to go into confined areas you are good!
The B430 is coming to it's limit at 2000m. the 250-c40 are not really done for hot and high. The A109S or SP are way better.
In view of flight comfort there is no other Helicopter who can beat the B430.
So if you don't have to go into confined areas you are good!
