Operating cost of jetranger
 

Could anyone give me an idea of the operating costs of a 206 jetranger based in Northern Europe? Besides, about how much is the anual insurance of insurance?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry, don't have much of an idea. But these people do - at least in the UK.

If you want the answer to that question go to this site www.conklindd.com
They should provide the answers you require.:ok:

The operating costs? A really bad back after lots of hours in them and a very nervous demeanour when the wind gets up near anything bigger than a sand dune. Give me a 350, Gazelle, 500 series any day of the week. :eek:

He is asking about the operating costs! As a operator or private owner I would say the 206B is cheapest to operate, by far, compared to other single engine turbine helicopters.

I have been involved in operating a private AB206B and it was very cheap to operate, I have heard some horror stories about DOC costs in the UK but a big part of the cost of operation is the maintenance shop. If the shop or mechanic (engineer in UK) is trustworthy and not ripping you off then the aircraft itself is not expensive to operate.

My experience is Euro 250-300.- pr/hr DOC costs. Bell says about $200.- in the US.

I´m not sure anymore about the insurance rates but they used to be some years ago about 5% of the hull rate so about Euro 12.500.- plus liability. My guess is you pay now between Euro 15-20.000.- in insurance but it varies with the underwriters.

To come to a hourly figure including everything to operate the aircraft is difficult. You have to include direct operating costs and add fixed annual costs and they can vary widely depending on type of operation and place. So DOC costs is only small part of the total cost to operate the aircraft but gives indication on cost of operation of this type versus other types which also will need hangar, insurance etc.

Another factor to consider is safety. If you are planning to use this personally or for some type of work then the 206 is most surely a safe aircraft as long as you dont overload it. It will not carry AS350 loads so don´t try that :) But it´s also a lot cheaper to operate than 350.

If I ever have an engine failure in a single engine helicopter I hope that I will be so lucky to be in a B206, it will make the landing much smoother :ok:


http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/ass...ader_206B3.jpg

thanks for the feed back! Very useful.

interesting info! How often should one expect to fly in an engineer if using a low hour/new 206 in a remote area (based on 200-400 hours per year)?

Remote Area! Then the 206 is the ship to do the job :ok: They are made to do the job in the outback :)

You need an mechanic every 100 hrs. There is a rotor head grease that needs to be done every 50hrs but if you are lucky and not operating under JAA or some other overregulated aviation authority then you can get the pilot checked out for the 50hr check.

thanks aesir! Mecanic every 100 hours (at least) - do you have any idea about the approximate number of working hours typically needed at such 100 hours check? Just to to get an idea, talking 10 or 100 h?

206 maintenance
 

Maintenance hours estimates aren't the easiest thing in the world! And the manufacturer's figures are always optimistic! Agree that the 206 is the very best for a field (literally) location, but it depends where and what sort of environmet you are working in. Remote is one thing, but obviously, adjavent to the sea etc is very much harsher than inland. What's hte locale we are discusing here? ~ CW

I know it´s not 100 hrs! :)

A good mechanic can do a scheduled 100hr B-206 inspection in 10 hrs or less. It´s usually a day job in a equipped hangar but will probably be less fun to do "au naturel".

Here is a picture of a AB206 that is operated in remote area without mechanic except for 100hr inspections in East-Greenland.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../1/1072183.jpg

thanks a lot guys, that was the kind of info I was looking for!