In my opinion, the Hughes/MD 500 C/D is the ultimate private helicopter that is still "affordable" at the $500k range. It is the Ferrari of the helicopters with room for 4. The 206 Jet Ranger is more practical and will seat 5 pretty easily.

Now, a Bell 222 is very affordable at $400-$500k, but they have 2 turbine engines to feed and retractable gear. They are great, though.

Arlen,

They are a good machine, but the 12-year mandatory rebuild for the entire helicopter is ridiculous. It works out to $10-$20k per year even if you never fly it.

Bell is coming out with a light turbine that I believe will crush the R66.

The 500 is a hotrod, but I'm partial to the 206. You ought to look at the L for the seating. The B can seat 5, but I'd hate to be in the middle or in the back at all if I was over 6'. Another thing to look at is a warbird...the OH58. It can be flown Restricted and is a great aircraft.

With all of these, don't shy away from 15,000 hr aircraft. Probably the only part on the aircraft with that time is the data plate. You do need to focus on the component times.

Right on Andy. I almost bought a 18,000 hr 500C. The data plate and the cabin had 18k and the rest was anywhere from 0-500 hour time.

I agree also on the L, but they are usually out of my price range. I will probably end up with an Enstrom 280FX and then maybe move on to a 500C or a 206 if I stay in helicopters.

I'm finding that I have more fun in the helis and truly do not fly a plane enough to justify owning one, so what not own a nice heli?

If an OH58 is restricted category are you limited in any way flying it for personal use?

After reading 91.313, I might have been wrong about that. How do they do rides in B17s and other former military aircraft?

There is a former OH58 / police helicopter just listed on Controller. It has a new Restricted A/W as of July 3rd. I will find out more.

EDIT: It appears that if it is "Restricted" you can only operate under the operating limitations assigned to it; furthermore, you cannot carry passengers and you cannot fly it over congested areas.

It appears that an experimental has less restriction.

After reading 91.313, I might have been wrong about that. How do they do rides in B17s and other former military aircraft?

I love the Hughes/MD 500 series. What great machines. I hear they're a hoot to fly: one day I intend to confirm that first hand!

The Bell 206 Long Ranger is awesome. Has the capacity, the safety and the range. Made in Canada too!

> The Helicycle is an Experimental Amateur Built which means that you do not need a
> rotorcraft license or signoff to fly it. You only need to hold a minimum of a Private
> rating in fixed wing or rotorcraft to legally fly it anywhere you want without a signoff.

I did not know that. I assumed that a student/Solo endorsement from a CFIR was
required.

Experimentals do not have a category and class designation, but they are an aircraft, so you do need an airman certificate. It's a loophole. Technically, I could build and fly a 20-seat twin engine turbine helicopter and fly it with just a private fixed wing rating as long as I did not have a passenger.

That's what I'm talking about. I don't need no stinking passengers to have fun. I think I've found my next adventure. Thanks for the info Todd

Todd,

Thanks for the recommend on the Enstrom, I'll start looking into them - Helio's are so cool, I must start saving some $$$$ and get working on my license!

There is one in Quebec that is on my short list. They want $139k, but I think $110k would be a very good buy. I just don't know if I want to go that far to get it and deal with the N# change and A/W stuff.

Todd:

Thanks for bringing some very interesting variety to BT.

I was (and am) very pleased to see your name attached to a post...