Selling the Jet Ranger..
Discussion
I'm not a great fan of the Robinson products.
Flown them, been round the factory at Torrance, heard Frank speak, tried to like them. But, the bottom line for me is the R22 was built to be a cheap entry level helicopter and this constrainted the design, from which the R44 and R66 have eveloved. There are technical and design issued that I don't like - not least being the teetering rotor head and cheap finish.
Having said that, many people obviously love them, and despite the 12 year life cycle (or maybe because of it) operating costs are fairly predictable. So, a private R44 owner, with a bit of SFH, could own one for a reasonably realistic figure.
The jury is still out on the new R66 (not helped by two early fatal accidents), but the performance figures do look very good. What it really needs is EASA approval (it's not yet approved in Europe) and a few years operational scuccess to satisfy the sceptics.
Of course it all depends what someone wants. For the sheer joy of flying a helicopter, doors off on a sunny day, something like a Bell 47 or a Schweizer 300C are a lot of fun and won't lose money.
Flown them, been round the factory at Torrance, heard Frank speak, tried to like them. But, the bottom line for me is the R22 was built to be a cheap entry level helicopter and this constrainted the design, from which the R44 and R66 have eveloved. There are technical and design issued that I don't like - not least being the teetering rotor head and cheap finish.
Having said that, many people obviously love them, and despite the 12 year life cycle (or maybe because of it) operating costs are fairly predictable. So, a private R44 owner, with a bit of SFH, could own one for a reasonably realistic figure.
The jury is still out on the new R66 (not helped by two early fatal accidents), but the performance figures do look very good. What it really needs is EASA approval (it's not yet approved in Europe) and a few years operational scuccess to satisfy the sceptics.
Of course it all depends what someone wants. For the sheer joy of flying a helicopter, doors off on a sunny day, something like a Bell 47 or a Schweizer 300C are a lot of fun and won't lose money.
From memory I think the r22 is around £80k for a full rebuild. You can pick up a hull with zero hours left for £20k or so.
Once it's rebuilt it's a "new" machine essentially.
A new r22 is around £165k.
Obviously if you buy it and leave it in a shed for 12 years and barely fly it, it's quite an expensive hobby, but if you go and fly the thing then depreciation is ok.
Once it's rebuilt it's a "new" machine essentially.
A new r22 is around £165k.
Obviously if you buy it and leave it in a shed for 12 years and barely fly it, it's quite an expensive hobby, but if you go and fly the thing then depreciation is ok.
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