Ownership vs Self Fly Hire in the UK
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
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From: London
Ownership vs Self Fly Hire in the UK
Hey all
I will shortly be embarking on the exciting journey of obtaining my PP(h), but I would like to understand the various flying options available once gaining my license.
Could you please advise me at what stage it becomes financially beneficial to purchase (finance) a helicopter / own a share, instead of self-fly hire on an hourly rate? Moving aside the overhauls, as I would likely purchase just after this has been done, what are the approximate costs involved in ownership in the UK, and how many hours a week would I need to fly in order for it to be better than hiring?
Also, how do helicopters hold their value? When I purchase cars I tend to chose models that actually appreciate, and I was wondering if there was something similar in the heli world, so the only money lost is operation cost/maintenance/insurance/hanger etc?
Many thanks
I will shortly be embarking on the exciting journey of obtaining my PP(h), but I would like to understand the various flying options available once gaining my license.
Could you please advise me at what stage it becomes financially beneficial to purchase (finance) a helicopter / own a share, instead of self-fly hire on an hourly rate? Moving aside the overhauls, as I would likely purchase just after this has been done, what are the approximate costs involved in ownership in the UK, and how many hours a week would I need to fly in order for it to be better than hiring?
Also, how do helicopters hold their value? When I purchase cars I tend to chose models that actually appreciate, and I was wondering if there was something similar in the heli world, so the only money lost is operation cost/maintenance/insurance/hanger etc?
Many thanks
Last edited by controlz; 21st April 2015 at 00:07.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,529
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From: yorkshire uk
Not much to go on there !!
Do you want to fly turbine or piston ? There is no such thing as a 2,500 hour check .... It's different with every model .
Yes you can buy a helicopter that goes up in money and I have done it many times
There is one type that has consistently gone up over the last ten years or more and you would have doubled your money if you had bought one .
Pm me if interested
Do you want to fly turbine or piston ? There is no such thing as a 2,500 hour check .... It's different with every model .
Yes you can buy a helicopter that goes up in money and I have done it many times
There is one type that has consistently gone up over the last ten years or more and you would have doubled your money if you had bought one .Pm me if interested
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
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From: London
Apologies, I have corrected the original thread and replaced with 'overhaul'.
This is a very premature bit of research, but almost certainly be a 4-seater piston, so I can take family and friends out!
I really am completely lost when it comes to operational costs.
This is a very premature bit of research, but almost certainly be a 4-seater piston, so I can take family and friends out!
I really am completely lost when it comes to operational costs.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 898
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From: Do I come here often?
controlz;
You need to do a lot more research. Some self fly hire companies in the UK only allow airfield to airfield because of huge insurance premiums with low hour ppls going where they feel like.
As for the rest the list of questions you should be asking is far longer than bandwidth limits may allow! I don't run a flying school so have no axe to grind, but I do manage and purchase aircraft on other people's behalf. PM me if you think I can help and I'll answer as many questions as I can.
Seriously, have you considered golf?
You need to do a lot more research. Some self fly hire companies in the UK only allow airfield to airfield because of huge insurance premiums with low hour ppls going where they feel like.
As for the rest the list of questions you should be asking is far longer than bandwidth limits may allow! I don't run a flying school so have no axe to grind, but I do manage and purchase aircraft on other people's behalf. PM me if you think I can help and I'll answer as many questions as I can.
Seriously, have you considered golf?
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 12
From: lake district
Hi there.
So you want a 4 seat piston?? Why buy after ppl?? If I had my time again, (im now 500 hours 22,44,h269, b206, h500) id bite the bullet and spend all the 1000s id spend on training and buy a good r44 and do all my training on it, pre and post ppl.
So you want a 4 seat piston?? Why buy after ppl?? If I had my time again, (im now 500 hours 22,44,h269, b206, h500) id bite the bullet and spend all the 1000s id spend on training and buy a good r44 and do all my training on it, pre and post ppl.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
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From: London
Hi stringfellow,
I would certainly consider buying an R44 prior the PPL if I knew the costs involved and how much I would save over learning in somebody else's helicopter!
Again, if you have any resources you could direct me towards I would be extremely grateful. I don't have much knowledge in the way of helicopters, all I know is I want to do my PPL(h) so I can fly wherever!
Best
I would certainly consider buying an R44 prior the PPL if I knew the costs involved and how much I would save over learning in somebody else's helicopter!
Again, if you have any resources you could direct me towards I would be extremely grateful. I don't have much knowledge in the way of helicopters, all I know is I want to do my PPL(h) so I can fly wherever!
Best
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13
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From: UK
Hi controlz
I am a PPL(H) and I own my own machine (R44 Raven II). Feel free to PM me if you think there is anything I can help you with. Don't think of it as owning a car though. The costs are significantly different. Perhaps you should investigate a flying school near to where you live as a starting point? Prices per hour for training purposes are freely available on the internet.
Best Regards
Rich B
I am a PPL(H) and I own my own machine (R44 Raven II). Feel free to PM me if you think there is anything I can help you with. Don't think of it as owning a car though. The costs are significantly different. Perhaps you should investigate a flying school near to where you live as a starting point? Prices per hour for training purposes are freely available on the internet.
Best Regards
Rich B
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 12
From: lake district
I never knew about this forum until after my ppl, so I could never ask the question. But lets put pure money aside, as im not entirely sure of direct operating costs. I spent so much training here, training there, trips abroad. I should have kept all the money, bought a raven 1 mid life perhaps, and learnt to love it, polish it, and cherish it. How about doing say ten hours dual on a raven, then if its for you id buy one. In my day job I operate diggers and every tom dick and harry says hire in. Well you just cant beat having your own gear. Its there whenever you need it. But make sure its absolutely right for you first.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
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From: London
Hi All,
I think I may have jumped at the gun here a little. The only reason I mentioned purchasing an R22/R44 was because I assumed this to be one of the most popular helicopters to buy, especially due to the popularity of it when training.
There's nothing specific attracting me to a Robinson, and if I DID decide to purchase a helicopter, and there was something else that was a better investment, I would certainly buy that instead!
Best.
I think I may have jumped at the gun here a little. The only reason I mentioned purchasing an R22/R44 was because I assumed this to be one of the most popular helicopters to buy, especially due to the popularity of it when training.
There's nothing specific attracting me to a Robinson, and if I DID decide to purchase a helicopter, and there was something else that was a better investment, I would certainly buy that instead!
Best.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: UKdom
...rent it!
Have to agree with Bravo73 on that one.
Unless of course you can stomach unexpected bills of £20k or more at the breakfast table.
But whatever you do, be very very very weary of leasing it back to the school for anything other than charter work (and even then be weary!)
Have to agree with Bravo73 on that one.
Unless of course you can stomach unexpected bills of £20k or more at the breakfast table.
But whatever you do, be very very very weary of leasing it back to the school for anything other than charter work (and even then be weary!)
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 700
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From: 5 nM S of TNT, UK
You may not have realised that Robinsons unlike any other helicopter have a fixed life of 2200 hours or 12 years whichever comes first. Hence you can draw a line between your purchase cost and the value of the timed out hull and that is your depreciation per year. That said, I am on my third one now and with hindsight I would do exactly the same again.
