If you’re interested in becoming a helicopter pilot or have some extra money to spare, something you might be wondering is how much a helicopter is going to cost. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500,000 to $5 million for your average helicopter, although there are of course much more expensive models as well.
Today, we are going to provide you with an in-depth guide on everything you need to know about the cost of a helicopter in Australia. We’ll talk about the average costs, costs of specific models, which factors affect these costs, and the cost of a typical company helicopter fleet.
How Much Do Helicopters Cost on Average?
Although the average price of a helicopter ranges anywhere between $500,000 to $5 million, this really does depend on the exact type of helicopter you’re going for. For instance, a light utility helicopter will cost less than a mid-sized helicopter, which will cost less than a large or twin-engine helicopter. Additionally, features like air conditioning can also affect the overall cost.
Light Utility Helicopter
If we’re looking at the average cost of the light utility helicopter, which has a single engine, accommodates 3 - 4 passengers and is used for personal transport and other light operations, you can expect to spend anywhere between $500,000 and $1.5 million.
For those experiencing their first helicopter ride, these light utility helicopters offer a thrilling and memorable adventure, with comfort features like noise-cancelling headphones and minimal turbulence to enhance the experience for first-time flyers.
Mid-Sized Helicopter
However, mid-sized helicopters cost more. They have more power, higher payload capacity, and can seat from 4 - 6 passengers, which make them ideal for more demanding commercial operations and for emergency medical services. For your average mid-sized helicopter, you can expect to spend anywhere between $1.5 million - $5 million.
Twin-Engine and Large Helicopters
We then have twin-engine or just large helicopters. These have great power, range, payload capacity, and often carry up to 12 passengers. They're used for demanding and complex operations, such as VIP transport, heavy lifting, and offshore transport.
These often with very advanced features and redundant systems. The average cost of a twin engine or new large helicopter can be anywhere between $5 million and $9 million, and in some cases may even exceed $10,000,000.
Price of Helicopters by Popular Models
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, we want to take a closer look at some of the most popular helicopter models and how much they cost. These models are often used for various helicopter flight experiences, offering panoramic views of cities and landscapes, and can be paired with activities like wine tours or visits to popular landmarks.
Robinson R44
One of the most commonly used helicopters out there for a variety of purposes, such as private helicopter flights, is the Robinson R44. It’s a light utility helicopter with relatively low operating and maintenance costs.
Depending on the exact equipment and configuration, the Robinson R44 will cost anywhere between $750,000 and $1.1 million, although if you buy a used model, you might get away with spending as little as $350,000.
A private flight on the Robinson R44 offers an intimate and personalised experience, making it ideal for enjoying exclusive aerial views of iconic landmarks.
Robinson R66
The upgraded version of the Robinson R44, the Robinson R66 features higher performance, a higher payload, and more power.
This turbine powered helicopter generally costs anywhere between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, with used models sometimes being available for as little as $700,000. With its powerful Rolls Royce RR300 turbine engine and a five-seat configuration, it makes for a great option for private helicopter tour groups.
It is also popular for scenic flight tours, offering breathtaking aerial views of various landmark attractions and coastal areas.
Airbus H125
The Airbus H-125 is a single engine helicopter with great performance. It’s often used in commercial operations and for passenger transport. For a new model, you can expect to spend up to $4 million, with used models sometimes costing as little as $1.5 million.
The fact that it has a large cabin able to accommodate a great number of people makes it an ideal choice for a variety of purposes. Additionally, it is frequently utilised for helicopter rides, offering diverse experiences from scenic city tours to specialised winery excursions.
Airbus EC130
Yet another popular helicopter, the EC130 is a single engine model with a large cabin, making it an ideal choice for tourism, such as if you’re taking a private helicopter tour to hunter valley. Newer models of this advanced helicopter can cost up to $5 million, whereas a used model may cost just $1.8 million. The EC130 is also frequently used for scenic flights, offering memorable experiences over urban landmarks, winemaking regions, and natural beauty.
Bell 206 LongRanger
If you’re looking for a versatile and reliable helicopter, the Bell 206 LongRanger is certainly a model worth considering, as it has enough room for up to six people, making it ideal for a variety of purposes, with tourist flights being one of them.
A new model can cost you up to $4 million, with used models possibly costing as little as $500,000. It is also popular for helicopter charter services, offering customised and luxurious experiences for different client needs.
Factors That Affect Helicopter Cost
Now that we know how much a helicopter costs on average, we need to talk about the various factors that affect helicopter costs. There are many different factors that can change the price of a helicopter, such as purchasing a new or used helicopter, the size and capacity, the engine type, and more. Let’s take a look at all of the different factors that will affect how much a helicopter costs. Additionally, features like noise cancelling headsets, which enhance passenger comfort and communication, can also impact the overall cost.
Used vs. New Helicopters
Just like with any other good out there, there is a market for used helicopters. Of course, if you purchase a used helicopter, you'll end up saving a lot of money. You may find helicopters that cost half as much as they originally did when they were new.
Of course, buying a used helicopter does come with some risks. There might be a need for upgrades or hidden maintenance issues that you don't know about. Therefore, if you're planning on purchasing a used helicopter, make sure to look at its maintenance history and logbooks, and to do a thorough inspection before purchase.
Of course, a new helicopter is going to be more expensive, but it should also still have the original manufacturer’s warranty, be in perfect condition, and also include all of the latest and most advanced technology. Yes, you'll spend a lot more on a new helicopter, but there are also benefits to this. When you buy a used helicopter, there might be issues that you don't know about.
Capacity and Size
Another factor that affects how much a helicopter costs is its size and seating capacity. Simply put, a bigger helicopter that has a higher payload capacity and a higher passenger capacity is going to cost more. Larger helicopters require more materials and more complex designs.
A smaller two seat helicopter, such as the Robinson R22 is going to cost less than the Airbus EC130, as the former is a two-seat helicopter whereas the latter is a seven-passenger helicopter.
The more seats a helicopter has, the larger it is, the more materials are required to build it, and the more complex the systems have to be, which therefore increase the overall costs.
Type of Engine
Yet another factor that affects the cost of the helicopter is the type of engine it has. There are two main engine types for helicopters, single and twin. As the name implies, single engine helicopters featured a single engine, which makes them relatively affordable.
These are often used for flight training, personal transport, and light utility tasks. However, they are limited due to having a single point of failure in the event that the engine fails.
On the other hand, we have twin engine helicopters. They feature enhanced safety and better redundancy. If one engine fails, there should still be a second to keep going. These are often used for search and rescue missions and other important activities. Of course, having a second engine also costs more.
Equipment and Avionics
When purchasing a helicopter, something else you’ll need to consider are the various pieces of equipment and avionics on board. Most helicopters feature basic navigation and communication systems, although how sophisticated they are can differ greatly.
If you go for things such as GPS navigation, autopilot, terrain awareness systems, digital displays, and glass cockpits, you’ll end up paying a whole lot more.
There are also pieces of optional equipment, such as searchlights, cargo hooks, rescue joists, and medical equipment, all of which can add additional costs to the helicopter.
The Purpose
What can also affect the cost of a helicopter is what the purpose of it is. For instance, personal use helicopters will generally cost much less than a commercial helicopter. The reason for this is because a commercial helicopter will have additional equipment, avionics, and features designed specifically for a task at hand.
For example, search and rescue, police, and aerial firefighting helicopters all need to have advanced systems and equipment in order to perform their jobs. However, if you're just going for a regular personal use helicopter, it doesn't need to have any special features, and this will help keep the cost relatively low.
Ongoing Fuel and Maintenance Costs of Helicopters
Something else you need to realise when you purchase a helicopter is that you don't just pay for the model up front. There are also ongoing maintenance and fuel costs that you need to consider. Unfortunately, with the cost of fuel as high as it is, this can certainly add up over time. The additional costs associated with flying a helicopter are unfortunately rather significant, so therefore you do need to budget properly.
Fuel Costs
The first thing that you need to consider here is the fuel cost of your helicopter. Now, exactly how much fuel will cost will in part depend on the type of fuel your helicopter requires. And in Australia, helicopters generally run on either jet A-1 fuel or Avgas (aviation gasoline).
Lighter helicopters, such as the Robinson R44 usually use avgas, whereas more powerful and larger helicopters use the jet A-1 fuel, which is generally more widely available and less expensive.
Now, something else you'll need to consider is how much the helicopter in question consumes on an average basis. Of course, how fast a helicopter consumes fuel depends on various factors, including the weight, engine type, size, and more.
Sticking with our current example, if we're talking about the Robinson R44, it might consume up to 50 litres per hour, whereas something like an Airbus H125 might use up to 200 litres per hour.
For example, Jet A-1 Fuel can cost up to $2.50 per litre in Australia, which means that for a light helicopter, fuel costs will be somewhere around $150 per hour, or well over $400.00 per hour for a larger helicopter. Avgas on the other hand can cost up to $3.00 per litre, therefore resulting in significantly higher costs.
Maintenance Costs
Next, you'll also need to consider the maintenance costs of the helicopter. Helicopters require routine maintenance just like other vehicles. This includes inspecting key components, replacing filters, making oil changes, and making regular repairs.
Once again, sticking with our example from above, a lighter helicopter such as the Robinson R44 might require up to $40,000 per year for average maintenance costs.
However, if we're talking about something much bigger, such as the Airbus H-125, you might spend up to $120,000 per year. However, this is not accounting for larger maintenance costs. In some cases, helicopter engines need to be overhauled, which could cost up to $250,000 for larger models.
Insurance Costs
Yes, insurance costs will vary by provider, although there are averages you can expect. For instance, for a light helicopter, expect to spend up to $30,000 per year for hull insurance, and even more for much larger and more valuable helicopters.
You'll also require liability insurance in the event that you cause injury or damage through your flight. Liability insurance usually costs anywhere between $3000 and $10,000 per year, depending on the helicopters use and the level of coverage. You may also require passenger insurance.
Hangar Space
Another thing to consider when talking about the average cost of a helicopter is how much the hangar space is going to cost you. Unless you have your own heliport and hangar, you'll need to lease a hangar somewhere.
If you're in a rural location, it might cost up to $2000 per month, whereas it might cost you up to $3000 per month for a helicopter hangar rental in an urban area.
With that being said, if you are affluent, building your own helicopter hanger is certainly a possibility, with basic models costing up to $200,000, and complex builds possibly costing up to $500,000.
Tips for Buying a Helicopter
If you’re planning on buying a helicopter, there are a few tips that you should follow.
- Before buying a helicopter, determine what your needs are. For regular private flights, something such as the Robinson R44 will do just fine.
- Before making a choice however, make sure to thoroughly do your research in terms of all of the different helicopter options out there, particularly in terms of how much they will cost you.
- Even if it is a brand new helicopter, you always want to inspect it before purchasing.
- If you’re buying a new helicopter, you might also want to consider its resale value. Consider the brand reputation as well as other factors that might determine how well the unit holds on to its resale value.
- Of course, your own budget makes a difference here, so don’t overspend. Remember, the initial price of the helicopter is not the only thing that you’ll need to deal with.
- Before purchasing any helicopter, always ask if you can perform a test flight.
- Ensure you obtain written authorisation from the land owner for landing at locations other than authorised helipads or aerodromes to comply with aviation regulations.
Final Thoughts on How Much Helicopters Cost in Australian Dollars
As you can see, the average cost of a helicopter in Australia can vary greatly, although on average, you can expect to pay between $500,000 and $5 million for a suitable model.
Of course, there are much more expensive options out there, such as high end military helicopters and other such units, although you probably won’t be flying those anytime soon. If you would like to fly in a helicopter, but you don’t want to purchase your own, taking one of the many private helicopter tours courtesy of Rotor One is your best bet.
