Helicopter Shared Ownership
 

During discussions on the R44 leaseback to training.... thread, a number of replies indicated that it might be better for an owner/pilot to join or set up a syndicate. The purpose of this thread is therefore to encourage discussion and collaboration amongst pilots who are already in groups or who would perhaps like to purchase a helicopter with the intention of starting a group. The fixed wing world has a lot of experience with group ownership but it doesn't seem to be that widespread amongst us Rotorheads. So any views, advice etc. will be gratefully received.

I would be interested in shared ownership or shared costs for a 44 or an Enstrom or 300, I have owned a number of machines but when you do the maths v No of hours flown it frightens you!

Rotorboater,

The answer is to fly more!!!!!:)

I used to be in an Enstrom 480 group based at Manchester, Barton. It was a brilliant group so if you want any advice or have any questions, just ask.


Joel:ok:

I'm still in the Enstrom 480 group to which Joel refers. I have been involved in both fixed wing and heli groups now for over 15 years. If you get the right people and a rulebook is agreed from the start they do work very well. Every now and then you will have an unexpected bill, but at least its split five ways. In practice it costs us all an extra £1000-£2000 per year. We are negotiating at the moment to group an MD500.

Chaps,

I agree with clitheroe kid. It's all down to the people and establishing the rules of engagement at the beginning. The 480 group is a great bunch of people except for one to$$er from clitheroe. :E

If we could get rid of him it would be the perfect group!!

Joel:ok:

I have a new R44 Raven 2 with 50 hours, one year old, lots of toys - twin GPS, twin radio, 4x bose-X etc hangared at my home near Panshanger, definitely interested in how it can be used by more than just myself with lowered risk. Don't want to get into public transport maintenance conditions, but insurance issues are manageable.

Finding people who want to fly it as I'd like it to be flown is the problem: if people are interested in exploring the limits of the envelope, or very recently qualified, I'm not really interested, but relatively experienced and careful people who want to commit to a price would be interesting.

Lafite

Any here with Turbines that lease / make available for charter their aircraft through a FBO?

As I said earlier, I am in planning stages.... big reasons for me to buy are a) availability both full stop, as well as for when and as long as i want it (i.e. for the whole w/e, and a few full weeks a year) and b) building turbine time with relatively low hours....

The pro's for me to have a deal with an FBO are:
a) taking care of maintenance,
b) hangarage,
c) access to other pilots familiar with the a/c as needed (e.g. ferrying it to/from me as needed)
d) keeping it used on a regular basis so it is serviceable (I don't like machines gathering dust, don't think it's good for them)
e) helping bring down my total cost (particularly the big annual items like inspections, hangarage, hull insurance, etc.)

What have your experiences been like, and how does your schedule / use of the aircraft conflict with giving the FBO enough access to make it worth both your whiles?

Requires more care than chosing a wife! :E

Nofolk Group
 

If anyone wants to form a group to share a 300C or similar in Norfolk im up for it and have available funds.

BG

Scottish Group?
 

Anyone in Scotland interested in forming a group. perhaps 4/5 people and an R44. any thoughts???

North East Group
 

For my part, I would be interested in joining or starting an Enstrom group (did the R44 thing - nice machine, horrific depreciation!)

Scottish Group?
 

bvgs

Myself and a couple of mates (2 pplh 1 atplh) were considering this very option recently.
We operated an R22 rented to us from one of the group and would certainly consider a 44 .
Where are you based as we have found this has an effect on the hours used, it really needs to be central for all involved.

Cheers
Johndeblanco

R44 Syndicate in Herefordshire/Shropshire
 

If anyone is interested in joining a R44 and/or R22 syndicate based within 10 radial miles from Shobdon in Herefordshire, then please PM me.

Big Ls

Hi Big LS
How do syndicates work formally? Does one person own the machine and is the rest on trust? Sorry if this is a naiive question.

John check your private messages.

Norfolk Group
 

Another here for a Norfolk (ish) group. :ok:

Cheers

Whirls

to Obiwan
 

Hi Obiwan,

well that could be the case, but that would more accurately described as self-fly-hire -- and there's nothing wrong with that.

More usually, a number of people (min 2, max 20) club together and buy an aircraft (or several aircraft) and then share the cost of running it.

There are many, many variations on this theme, but that is the general idea.

In the fixed wing world you get "non-equity" syndicates where one person or entity invites others to join. In this case usually there's a monthly fixed fee plus an hourly rate.

Hope this helps,

Big Ls.

I'm based on the South Coast (Southampton) and would be interested in any syndicates with equity or non-equity positions available in the area (Bournemouth-Basinstoke-Chichester triangle).

Thanks,

Paul.

I am based in Derbyshire and could be interested in syndicating my R22.

Cambridge to Peterborough
 

Hi

I am looking to join or start a group, I dont own a heli, within the Cambridge to Peterborough area reasonably close to the A1, if its too far you wont travel and then you wont fly.

Any takers.

Mike