Advice on buying a helicopter please......
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
If I was the only one driving it - a gazelle. If I was leasing it back - a good 206 Model A (the engine is not start cycle limited, so if they use it on pleasure flying you don't lose out).
Good Luck with your purchase, though - one day, when I'm rich and famous.....
phil
Good Luck with your purchase, though - one day, when I'm rich and famous.....
phil
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Africa
Thanks for all the advice guys I really appreciate it.
At present I have been in touch with a contact of mine in Safrica and I am looking at the possiblilty of buying a machine over there and then having it shipped over here........yes/no ?
Also what are your views on the Enstrom and the Schwiezer 300 ?
Cheers
Mark.
At present I have been in touch with a contact of mine in Safrica and I am looking at the possiblilty of buying a machine over there and then having it shipped over here........yes/no ?
Also what are your views on the Enstrom and the Schwiezer 300 ?
Cheers
Mark.
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: at the edge
I would go for a Bell 206B. It has almost total acceptance as a charter or training machine. If it is used for training, it is relatively benign when compared with any Robinson product, so less chance of damage.
Parts are easily available and as has been said above, just about anybody can operate it or maintain it which gives you the maximum choice when trying to leaseback. Mkae sure that you check the values carefully and try to bargain hard, try and build in a little depreaciation to protect your resale value.
Interestingly, if you study the values of used 206s in the past, many of them have actually increased in value although with some of the newer EC 120s coming into the market, I would not be able to assure you that this will continue.
LE
Parts are easily available and as has been said above, just about anybody can operate it or maintain it which gives you the maximum choice when trying to leaseback. Mkae sure that you check the values carefully and try to bargain hard, try and build in a little depreaciation to protect your resale value.
Interestingly, if you study the values of used 206s in the past, many of them have actually increased in value although with some of the newer EC 120s coming into the market, I would not be able to assure you that this will continue.
LE
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 118
Something to consider when looking at running costs is the cruise speed of the machine.
I own a 500, 206 and 300.
500 cruises at 130kt ( 140 if you are going for it )
206 105kt
300 80kt
Compare distance v hours and the 500 suddenly becomes a " cheap" machine as it uses 20% less component time and fuel to do the same job as a 206. If you are hour counting forget this argument. Plus the 500 is cheaper to buy. Compare to an R44 the 500 compares quite well, both 4 seat machines ( can get 5 in a 500 but a bit tight unless you take some nice stuff in the front). R44 expensive on fuel !
300 is a very good machine but no where to put any luggage unless strapped in the third pax position. It is really a training helicopter and a very good one.
Most important thing if you are buying is to get it surveyed by an independent engineer, it could save you thousands. Drop me an e mail and I will recommend.
Yes I am a 500 fan.
I own a 500, 206 and 300.
500 cruises at 130kt ( 140 if you are going for it )
206 105kt
300 80kt
Compare distance v hours and the 500 suddenly becomes a " cheap" machine as it uses 20% less component time and fuel to do the same job as a 206. If you are hour counting forget this argument. Plus the 500 is cheaper to buy. Compare to an R44 the 500 compares quite well, both 4 seat machines ( can get 5 in a 500 but a bit tight unless you take some nice stuff in the front). R44 expensive on fuel !
300 is a very good machine but no where to put any luggage unless strapped in the third pax position. It is really a training helicopter and a very good one.
Most important thing if you are buying is to get it surveyed by an independent engineer, it could save you thousands. Drop me an e mail and I will recommend.
Yes I am a 500 fan.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Northern England
So, the consensus of advice is;
FH-1100 1 post
Gazelle 4
R44 2
206 2
EC120 1
Hughes500 1
R22 0
Almost as bad as economists and weather forecasters. At least there are less recommendations than there are posts!
There's no right answer, but as someone said, we will all come and help you test fly.
FH-1100 1 post
Gazelle 4
R44 2
206 2
EC120 1
Hughes500 1
R22 0
Almost as bad as economists and weather forecasters. At least there are less recommendations than there are posts!
There's no right answer, but as someone said, we will all come and help you test fly.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Africa
Yes it's me again......dithering as usual......damn if only this was as easy as choosing what beer I wanted to drink.
Most of the concensus seems to point toward the Gazelle but as I said before I just think it would be a bit expensive to have a machine like the Gazelle and not to make anything out of it.
Now a friend of mine in Safrica has pointed me in the direction of a B206 L3 ......lease it to someone who does executive charter work perhaps ?
Anyway I have decided that the best thing to do is to try and arrange a flight in each of the machines recommended and to see if firstly I am happy flying the bird, which is the main purpose for me wanting to buy one anyway and then secondly to gauge the need for the particular machine in the market.
Do you think that this would be a good thing to do or not and secondly would I be waisting my time looking at a long ranger ?
Cheers
Mark
Most of the concensus seems to point toward the Gazelle but as I said before I just think it would be a bit expensive to have a machine like the Gazelle and not to make anything out of it.
Now a friend of mine in Safrica has pointed me in the direction of a B206 L3 ......lease it to someone who does executive charter work perhaps ?
Anyway I have decided that the best thing to do is to try and arrange a flight in each of the machines recommended and to see if firstly I am happy flying the bird, which is the main purpose for me wanting to buy one anyway and then secondly to gauge the need for the particular machine in the market.
Do you think that this would be a good thing to do or not and secondly would I be waisting my time looking at a long ranger ?
Cheers
Mark
Last edited by yogibear; 12th June 2002 at 12:21.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: london
Watch this space......
just took the plunge last month and bought a R22 from a friend of mine. Still nervous as hell as a helicopter owner and the responsibility that goes with it, plus a wife who now uses the purchase as ammunition whenever she wants something
Just before I signed on the dotted line..Hey Presto an overspeed. Good from the point that I ended up with a overhauled engine and blade check, bad from the point that you now spend your life wondering who is going to do it next.
I have taken a slightly different attitude with the flying school (yes I lease back) that I have said no sfh unless authorised by me. I trust the instuctors (have learnt and flown with them last 2.5 years) and do believe that if it were to happen again they would tell me as before.
From a running cost point of view the bills are starting to trickle in but none YET to make me wish I haden't gone on this adventure. You do only live once so I'm informed.
Why a R22 and not a R44? from my point of view I wanted to bang on about 100 - 200 hours and then next year find a 200/300 hours R44 just for business/play use. Cost obviously the major factor.
If the 6 numbers come up tonight, have to say it would be a Gazelle
just took the plunge last month and bought a R22 from a friend of mine. Still nervous as hell as a helicopter owner and the responsibility that goes with it, plus a wife who now uses the purchase as ammunition whenever she wants something
Just before I signed on the dotted line..Hey Presto an overspeed. Good from the point that I ended up with a overhauled engine and blade check, bad from the point that you now spend your life wondering who is going to do it next.
I have taken a slightly different attitude with the flying school (yes I lease back) that I have said no sfh unless authorised by me. I trust the instuctors (have learnt and flown with them last 2.5 years) and do believe that if it were to happen again they would tell me as before.
From a running cost point of view the bills are starting to trickle in but none YET to make me wish I haden't gone on this adventure. You do only live once so I'm informed.
Why a R22 and not a R44? from my point of view I wanted to bang on about 100 - 200 hours and then next year find a 200/300 hours R44 just for business/play use. Cost obviously the major factor.
If the 6 numbers come up tonight, have to say it would be a Gazelle
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Africa
Hey all,
Just got back from Safrica. Went to have a look at a few machines and am happy to say that I have put pen to paper and have gone for a ........I hold my breath and wait for the floods of replies.....B206 L3 Long Ranger
I will post all the specs as soon as I have put them into some sort of easy to read format and photo to follow soon.
I look forward to your views.
Cheers
Mark
Just got back from Safrica. Went to have a look at a few machines and am happy to say that I have put pen to paper and have gone for a ........I hold my breath and wait for the floods of replies.....B206 L3 Long Ranger
I will post all the specs as soon as I have put them into some sort of easy to read format and photo to follow soon.
I look forward to your views.
Cheers
Mark
Last edited by yogibear; 20th June 2002 at 11:56.
