Hughes vs Gazelle
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: canada
first off, how tall are you, I think anyone over 5ft 9 is cramped in a 500, no hyd's is a bummer also, the market is weak right now on 500's I find, I know someone thinking of moving on, and buying new, factories dont want the 500 as a trade even, 500's are getting hard to get parts for, I know of some that are several yrs backordered.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 2
From: yorkshire uk
Don't know where you get your info re 500,s !!! If they are so hard to sell then let me know where they are and I will buy them . I have just sold my 500D and it hasn't even finished its refurb ... Made a nice profit and looking for another one . Spares are no problem and I have always sold on for a profit 
The 500 beats all others when you factor in ease to sell , cheap maintenance and insurance and no depreciation !!!!!
The 500 beats all others when you factor in ease to sell , cheap maintenance and insurance and no depreciation !!!!!
lamanatedJoined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 2
From: yorkshire uk
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 118
Nigel H hopefully you will be behind me in the queue !!!
Next to impossible to find a good one at a sensible price. Bought my 500D for £ 160k in 1999 turned down £ 395 k last year for it, Lamented how many helicopters appreciate ? By the way I am 6 ft 1 wear a helmet no problem, spend 200 plus hours a year long lining, no problem. All parts are available from the factory, I use mine commercially so I should know
If there are machines waiting years for parts let me know and I WILL BUY THEM, cash waiting
Next to impossible to find a good one at a sensible price. Bought my 500D for £ 160k in 1999 turned down £ 395 k last year for it, Lamented how many helicopters appreciate ? By the way I am 6 ft 1 wear a helmet no problem, spend 200 plus hours a year long lining, no problem. All parts are available from the factory, I use mine commercially so I should know
If there are machines waiting years for parts let me know and I WILL BUY THEM, cash waiting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Tasmania and High Wollemi
500's in Oz
Lamanated,
no problem in turning over 500's in Oz and NZ. All seem to be sold pretty quick. I don't work for them but.....Oceania-Aviation | Home shift a lot. one operator on Oz east coast has a growing fleet and recently turned some over.
as for height with a long body and average legs I can sit in the front comfortably but can't wear a helmet in the back.
no problem in turning over 500's in Oz and NZ. All seem to be sold pretty quick. I don't work for them but.....Oceania-Aviation | Home shift a lot. one operator on Oz east coast has a growing fleet and recently turned some over.
as for height with a long body and average legs I can sit in the front comfortably but can't wear a helmet in the back.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Oregon, US
No problems in the US either, resale value is good. Very few airframes on the market. If priced reasonably they go fast. There are some parts issues. D/E T/R Driveshaft's is one of those, but we operate about 5,000 hours a year in 500s without more than a few days of AOG time due to parts lead times. We do stock significant spares, that helps a lot with the parts issues.
