Piston helicopters

Do You Want To Buy A Piston Helicopter? Everything You Need to Know

This is the ultimate guide on piston helicopters covering the basics and the costs. It will also cover the process of purchasing a car, including financing, insurance and other aspects.

Keep reading!

What Exactly Is a Piston Helicopter?

Piston helicopter or piston rotorcraft is a term used to describe any rotorcraft that utilizes a reciprocating piston engine to power its main rotor.

A piston engine drives a gearbox, which in turn spins the main rotor blades to provide lift. Piston helicopters, unlike turbine or jet-powered helicopters, have a simpler engine mechanism.

They range from 2-seat trainers, to 5-seat transports. They have an MTOW of less than 3000 lbs on average. The most common piston helicopter types are Robinsons (R22 and R44), Bell 47, and Enstrom 280.

Advantages of Piston Helicopters

There are plenty of benefits to buying add-on piston helicopter time. Here are a few:

• Expense - Piston helicopters are substantially less expensive to buy and operate than turbine-powered models. Private owners utilize these well formulated vehicles for such reasons.
• Simplicity - There is less maintenance on a piston engine than on a turbine and there are fewer parts. This means lower OPEX.
• Training - The R22 is primarily used to train helicopter pilots on a light, piston-engine trainer. By flying a piston model, you're developing skills that easily translate to more complicated helicopters.
• Performance - The modern piston engines provide smooth power, low vibration and above all reliability. Piston helicopters are an excellent solution for private flying.

Piston Helicopter Common Uses

Piston helicopters are one of the most versatile types of aircraft there is. And this covers many of the typical uses for piston models which are privately owned:

• Flight training and building flight time
• Personal transport and aerial touring
• Agriculture spraying and mustering livestock
• Patrol and observation activities
• Aerial photography and videography
• Emergency medical services (EMS)
• Light freight/cargo transport
• Military training

A piston model can do the job, whether you need a workhorse for utility or simply want one to go flying for fun.

What Is the Price of a Piston Helicopter?

The most significant drawback of a piston helicopter access is the lower costs relative to other spending forms. Having said that, these are still big purchases and need to be budgeted. Here's a breakdown of expenses:

Aircraft Purchase Price
Depending on the make, model, age and condition expect to pay anywhere from $200,000 to upwards of around $700,000+ for a piston helicopter. Some examples:

• Robinson R22 (2 seats): $250,000 - $350,000
• Robinson R44 (4 seats): $450,000 - $700,000
• Bell 206B (5 seats): $650,000 - $1.5 million

Like a used car, older models that cost less are probably going to have higher hours on them and will need more upkeep.

Recurring Expenses
Purchase price is just one component of helicopter ownership. You will also need to plan for:

• Fuel - $100 - $200 per flight hour for most piston models. Power settings dictate fuel burn.
• AFAIK - Insurance - Private owner $10k - $30k per year depending on experience
• Hangar rental - $200 - $500 a month for space within an airport.
• Maintenance and repairs: $50 - $100+ per flight hour is typical. Annual inspections can be in the neighborhood of $5,000 for a fixed cost.

As you've probably figured out, the ongoing fees add up fast. Be sure to consider all of these expenses before deciding to purchase!

How Does the Buying Process Work?

Buying a piston helicopters involve lots of steps - even more if the type of aircraft is as complex as a helicopter. A brief outline of process steps is as follows:

Choosing a Model
So many piston helicopter selections make it difficult to narrow choices. Think about your mission, budget, and pilot capability. Research extensively and choose models that would fit you well.

Finding an Aircraft for Sale
Your purchase can be direct from a manufacturer, through a broker, or from an individual owner. A good controller will initiate to tap your networks. com, Barnstormers. of helicopters for sale and listed on sites such as AvBuyer and Globalair.

Prepurchase Inspection
Note: A proper engineering inspection by a competent aviation engineer must be performed before any sale. This will find any airframe, component or engine discrepancy that may affect the aircrafts suitability for flight and budget. Never skip this step!

Arranging Financing
Unlike buying a car, you probably can't just whip out your credit card and buy a helicopter. Financing options include:

• Traditional Loans - Typically, 20-40% Down
• HELI financing - Lower down payments and tailored for helicopters
• Lease Purchase - Gives you the ability to pay monthly for use of the aircraft

Speak with your bank, or a special financing company handling aviation-related loans.

Transferring Ownership
However, in return of purchasing an aircraft, its title must be legally transferred from the previous owner to you. Complete the necessary bill of sale and registration paperwork with the FAA.

Obtaining Insurance
For financing, you need to have insurance on the aircraft. For the best price, shop around with aviation insurance providers. Based on your experience and usage, coverage will vary.

Conducting Test Flights
WAIT! do not buy this helicopter until YOU have flown it with an instructor yourself! Test flights allow you to measure handling and performance.

Completing the Purchase
And then simply pay, take delivery and fly away in your piston helicopter! Set up service and enjoy the best of ownership.

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Piston Helicopter Ownership

Are You Suited to Own a Piston Helicopter? Enumerate some of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Liberation to travel as well as fly your own flying equipment
• Great for sharpening skills and logging hours.
• Simple and cheap, like a piston engine
• Leisure flying and travelling
• If they are well cared for, certain models have a good value retention history

Cons

• Expensive to buy, insure and maintain
• A major time investment for training and flying
• Access to hangar and fuel facilities
• Limited Space in Models with Less Seats not Ideal for Families
• Less payload and range than turbines
• The resale value plummets as soon the aircraft is old or if it has sustained any sort of damage.

Despite the costs and hard work that come with helicopter ownership, for many aviation enthusiasts it is well worth it for the freedom and joy. But once again, measure if you can afford it and if it fits your lifestyle.

Piston Helicopter Models We Commonly See For Sale

Given the vast number of options available at retailers, what are the best piston helicopters? Here are 5 best private owner options:

Robinson R22
The two-seat R22 is the most abundant civilian helicopter in the world. Highly energetic and fairly priced, this light-weight trainer is quick through footwork.

Cost: $250,000 - $350,000

Max gross weight: 1,370 lbs

Robinson R44
The R44 can hold four people, allowing it to work for personal and utility needs. Its Lycoming piston engine is high-performance.

Cost: $450,000 - $700,000

Max gross weight: 2,500 lbs

Bell 206B
Bell 206 JetRanger | Larger 5-6 Seat Piston Helicopter Demonstrated performance but more expensive to operate

Cost: $650,000 - $1.5 million

Max gross weight: 3,200 lbs

Enstrom 280FX
It comes in a very reliable, low maintainance 3-seat piston platform. Ideal for using during training sessions or patrols.

Cost: $450,000 - $650,000

Max gross weight: 2,150 lbs

MD 500E
MD 500E is the workhorse turbine, with speed, agility and popularity for a large variety of commercial applications.

Cost: $700,000 - $1.2 million

Max gross weight: 2,450 lbs

These are just a few examples of the manufacturers and models on offer in the piston helicopter marketplace. With your searching, you will definitely discover other alternatives as well.

Takeaway

This is only a small portion of what you should know before buying your own piston helicopter. Do your research - from operating costs to models, take your time and do the due diligence.

The secret is to find the right aircraft for you based on your potential budget and what qualification levels you plan to obtain. Avoid ownership until you have at least explored financing options, insurance requirements, and registered for training.