When it comes to maintenance, a helicopter owner or operator is limited to performing only specific types of preventative maintenance as per the FAA Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). These rules are a little different for kit-built aircraft, so for the sake of simplicity, we will address what a pilot can legally do to keep a certificated aircraft — either owned or operated by the pilot — maintained. FAR Part 43 governs maintenance, including preventative maintenance. Part 43.3(g) stipulates any holder of a pilot certificate issued under FAR Part 61, except for a sport pilot certificate, “ma ..read more

With your own helicopter, the sky is no longer the limit. The world opens in a way it never has before, offering a unique way to explore and experience it. Whether you’ve always dreamed of being a pilot or of using your pilot skills for your own adventure, or you want to learn to fly so you can set off on your own expeditions, there is so much you can do with a helicopter. Ralph Van Woerden grew up in the Netherlands and, as a kid, watching helicopters spray fields sparked a desire to be a helicopter pilot one day. He immigrated to British Columbia, Canada, and while the path to become a profe ..read more

Often serious helicopter buyers find their ideal aircraft across the continent, or even on the other side of the world. Buyers then need to identify the best way to ship the helicopter home. “European-operated helicopters, for instance, can sell at attractive prices to buyers outside of Europe and may even have the added benefit of higher maintenance standards than other parts of the world,” said Xanthe Garahy, marketing manager at Leading Edge Aerospace’s HeliPackers subsidiary. “Purchasing a helicopter outside of your own country could add stress to buyers who don’t have a lot of experience ..read more

There’s a popular saying in the aviation industry: How do you make a small fortune in aviation? Start with a large one. Helicopter ownership is certainly cost intensive, especially if the aircraft will not be used to create revenue. That’s not to say it isn’t worth every penny for the freedom and adventure. With some advanced planning, potential helicopter owners can predict and plan for their aircraft’s costs now and into the future. In a nutshell, maintenance operating costs are calculated by adding up all the expenses in a year and dividing them by the number of hours you plan to fly. Sound ..read more

Maintenance operating costs are arguably some of the more complicated costs to estimate when predicting the overall cost of helicopter ownership. While not as cut and dry as monthly hangar rent or loan payments, they can be narrowed down to a fairly accurate range to help a potential new helicopter buyer make a purchase decision. Kenny Morrow is the chief operating officer for Metro Aviation, a full-service completion center and emergency medical services (EMS) aircraft operator. For Morrow, an accurate estimate of maintenance operating costs is vital in bidding for EMS contracts and helping c ..read more

There is a new breed of social media influencer online today, sharing incredible adventures with helicopters and sparking real desire for personal helicopters. It’s hard to resist sleek helicopters skimming lakes, landing on breathtaking mountain peaks, and accessing the perfect off-the-gird camping site or fishing hole. How do you go from zero or low flight experience to having these epic experiences? Many potential pilots with the means look immediately toward purchasing a turbine helicopter to learn to fly as that may be their ideal choice for adventures. Unfortunately, today’s insurance cl ..read more

In all of Faith Ortega’s years as a helicopter maintainer, she has seen a fear of maintenance as the biggest thing inhibiting people from buying helicopters. “I think what deters a lot of people from buying a helicopter, especially pilots, is maintenance,” explained Ortega, who started How to Helicopter to encourage more people to enter the helicopter industry. “Some have heard horror stories of really high costs; others have no idea what maintenance is needed and what it will really cost. The real cost to maintain a helicopter can be different between aircraft of the same make and model. But ..read more

You’re ready to upgrade your helicopter to something a little more complex with increased capabilities. Don’t forget to factor in upgrading your pilot skills for the make and model you choose as well. Insurance companies will almost always require some level of approved training course that ensures you or your pilot(s) meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) practical testing standards in the aircraft, including competent and safe demonstration of emergency procedures. More importantly, having strong training in your new aircraft will help keep yourself and your passengers safe. Pilot ..read more

You’ve done your research. You identified the best helicopter make and model to suit your needs. You have a list of exactly what equipment you want onboard and how the aircraft should perform. You have a budget. Now you’re searching for a match. And searching. And searching… Chances are, if you have a lot of specific wants for your aircraft, you will have a hard time finding your ultimate dream machine. The good news is, your chances of finding your ‘pretty close to perfect’ machine get exponentially higher when you’re open to making a few modifications after a purchase. Depending on the aircr ..read more

Often, purchase price is the lowest of all the costs you will encounter when buying a helicopter. It is not uncommon to pay far more in operating costs, which include insurance, fuel, and maintenance. While you have little control over insurance costs and no say in fuel prices, careful advanced preparation will help you control what your hourly maintenance costs will run. Maintenance costs are often broken into several categories. Scheduled costs are those that take place predictably, such as your annual inspection and hourly inspections. These also include components that must be inspected, s ..read more