Buying a kit and building your own helicopter can be more affordable than purchasing a pre-built one, but the process comes with many considerations regarding cost, assembly time, and the need for proper licensing.
Costs and Affordability
The cost of building a helicopter from a kit can range greatly, from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, influenced by materials, complexity, and technology. While pre-built helicopters might be more cost-effective, the Helicycle kit is available for around $67,000.
Insurance and Operational Expenses
Insurance for helicopters is typically expensive and affected by factors such as make and model. Additional costs to consider include hangar fees, safety management, and software for communication and navigation. The all-inclusive cost of operating can be £1700 per hour.
Buildability and Legality
Anyone can build their own helicopter, provided that they comply with FAA regulations and obtain an airworthiness certificate. On average, the assembly of most helicopter kits takes between 400-600 hours. It is possible to privately own a helicopter with certain FAA restrictions for private pilots.
Materials and Difficulty
Helicopters require an assortment of materials designed for strength and durability while maintaining lightness, including aluminum and various composites. Flying a helicopter takes practice and coordination, but assembling one can be straightforward with desire and understanding of the aircraft’s operation.
Additional Considerations
The CH77 Ranabot helicopter kit and the custom ultralight helicopter assembly process are options for enthusiasts, but these also involve significant investment in terms of cost and time.
Ongoing Ownership Costs
In addition to the purchase price, operating a helicopter includes ongoing expenses such as pilot salaries (if not piloting yourself), maintenance, and insurance. Fuel efficiency also plays a role in the overall cost-effectiveness of operating a helicopter.
The average cost to own a Helicopter in today’s market is $1,908,448.00 with 112 options available for sale on Globalair.com.