Helicopter ownership for profit?
 

I probably know the answer to the question but would welcome others thoughts:

Nicely retired now but I would like to keep current (just for the sake of it) and I have a few oportunities now to "invest" in a piston helicopter. Robbie, H300, Enstrom, B47.

What I would like to ask is if you had the oportunity what options are there to get something back on the airframe and how would you do it? My initial thoughts are one of hopelessness but then again if this were the case there wouldn't be any commercial operators? So how exactly (without an AOC) can you get a return from a 1/2 decent airframe?

It could be done but you would need deep pockets of anything unexpected happened. Enstrom blades are on condition and if need replacing cost £30,000. It's certainly not something I would invest money in if I was struggling for funds or was only just able to afford the airframe.

Not sure where you are, however you could look at a Robbo leased to a reputable & well established flight school - if you went for a 44, then if the school also held an AOC it could be used on both?

Typically it is hard to make a profit on just one leaseback helicopter.....you need multiple to make it work, unless of course you are looking for a tax write off. You will need deep pockets for the un-expected.....

Remember the 3 "F" rule.......

If it Flies, Floats or F#*ks, you are cheaper renting.......

Sorry---could not resist.....

Hahahahahaha!

Gordy has written exactly what I was thinking.

That said, your best bet might be a bell47 as they are now annex 2 they are considerably cheaper and easier to maintain. Low hull value and low flying hours also keeps your insurance down. We have a gaggle of Bell 47s in Yorkshire so if you want to discuss ownership of one drop me an email.

But unless you know what you are doing making money can be difficult. I would never lease a machine to a flying school without strict agreement on who flies it and who pays for the unscheduled maintenance and damage etc. I'd also insist on them insuring it.

Keeping current is so much fun, travel the world, fly different machines and enjoy it. Ownership will make you lose the will to live.

Basically no chance
 

If you would like to keep current for very little expediture and reduced risk you could buy a share in our Enstrom 280 G-SHRK based at Shoreham EGKA.
Share 1/4 at £15,000, plus £150/hour flying, then you can sell your share when you finished.
Thats about as cheap as you can get I think, with 1/4 Risk.
Happy New Year to one and all and safe flying for 2016 fowards.:ok:

IMO, sole ownership/usage starts to make financial sense when you are flying 100hrs + pa.

Yes, there are some downsides to ownership, but there are also significant positives.

Having flown my own light helicopter for the past 25 years ,with no hangar costs or landing fees but with a tad expensive maintenance costs I would say....don't think about profit...just enjoy the freedom. However my machine is still worth the same as I paid for it ....if you ignore inflation ,but its now getting hard to find spares. Conclusion...buy an Enstrom or Bell 47 where spares still readily available and helicopters hold their value...not a Robbie which devalues over time.
P.S. If someone had an Enstrom or 47 in the Bristol area I'd happily share with a contribution of free hangarage and cheap fuel!