running costs and suitability
 

I have searched high and low and now need resirt to posing a question here;

Where can i find out what the running costs of a select group of helicopters are? also which will be the best for me.

My father wishes to purchase something that will be able to take him to all the race circuits accross the UK, it will be four people maximum more than likely three and some luggage.

I have suggested the EC120, R44 II the 206 os maybe even an AS350 depending on price. Ignoring the intial capital cost which aircraft is the most sensible for the job and importantly where can i discover running costs. I will be flying it (currently training) and i am aware of the restrictions on single engine helicopters.

Four including the pilot?

doesn't matter anyway , pick the as350 everyday, or maybe a nice 407?

The 44 is ok but not in the leauge of the likes of the as350, maybe in the same leauge as the 206 though.

Dont know about operating costs , not cheap anyway

Why not an Ka-226, more on www.kamov.ru

Cause it's ugly:E

Thanks for the replies

i would not be seen dead in the russian thing, it has to look good.

Will look into the as350 v ec120. I will let you know what i found out.

Running around the UK
 

For three and occasionally four pax plus bags
Low DOC's
Easy to hanger
Good customer support
Looks good
Performs better
Low (er) aquisition costs
Reasonable insurance
Good to Better than average crashworthyness

Sounds like a Bell 206 L series to me!!
:ok:

You would be a Manny Fagnet if you turned up in a Ka-226.
I like all the Ka's they are just so, different!

However a 407 nicely togged out can just about give you enough power, comfort and style for what you seem to be looking for, in my humble opinion

Check out the Schweizer 333. It's essentially a Hughes/Schweizer 300 with an Allison engine and a bigger cabin:

http://www.sacusa.com/helicopters/333.asp

Mr Selfish: The R44 Raven II can carry 700 lbs of pax with full fuel. Allowing 200 lbs for each "lardy" male, that leaves you 300 lbs for your 2 models.

.................. just leaving a gap here for the flurry of obvious comments. Like - hey, 300 lbs. That'll be 30 supermodels.

But seriously, people should pay attention to the Raven II spec.

Conklin & de Decker Associates, Inc. (http://www.conklindd.com/) publish a very accurate estimate of operating costs for nearly every helicopter flying. The information is well worth the cost. Manufacturers and sales data is often....well....let's just say somewhat optimistic.

headsethair:

I think the R44 is an option, but check the CG limits - if it's got a battery in the nose, the CG options are limited, so the pilot may well have to lose some weight !

eagerbeaver

Can't go past a 120. 4 up, full fuel, large baggage space, smooth, quick, low DOC's, looks cool and technologically more advanced.

Haven't had any exposure to the 407 but if it's a Bell, it's old technology.

Good luck in your decision.

I await the sledging of teh 120 you Bell Boys will no doubt post.

407 has fadec 120 does not
407 has 135kt cruise, 120 is 115
407 full fuel plus 7 , 120 is full fuel plus three and a prayer
407 is real smooth, ever see the 120 instrument panel shake like its gona fall off?

old technology?

Dont think so.
:E

Edit:

im not a bell boy as i said in an earlier post 90%of my flying is in french machines and over a thousand on the EC120, five hours in the 407 really opened my eyes!

Re: 407

But...somewhere there's a thread on the 407 tail rotor problems.

Yeah and there is one about fenestron stall also!

Pah, it'll never happen to me:bored:

Damn! My graphics card must be going to the sh#t.

I can't see whether that says "fenestron stall" or "L.T.E."

Guess one is more published than the other though.




STL

If you are going to the gee-gees, an EC120/30 might be more neigh(no pun) bour friendly; if you cross the water ,you`ll also need to consider, floats, imm. suits etc,etc.......

Yes 407's are wonderful machines but who is going to pay for it? For a similar aged machine, say around year 2000, a Bell is quoted 670,000 and change more than an EC120.

That's a lot of justification to He-(or She)who-holds-the-purse-strings.

Look at both the 206 and the EC120 and the perf figures. See what seems right for you. For me it was the 120.

I have heard it said that one reason the EC120 seems underpowered is that 206 drivers can reef the collective into overtorque without anyone knowing and so get a performance benefit. The VEMD tells tales so you're stuck within the limits. Surely not??? :ooh: :ooh: :ooh: ;)

407 vs Ec120

... different league:}

As350b3 Vs Bell407

The phrase 'kid in a sweet shop' come to mind,

dont know what id pick then.