Rotorway ownership

[Justin Travis]

Originally Posted by Claude Laforest

Hi Justin, I am nowhere near a old helo guy with knowledge but I disagree with you that cost is as much as a certified helicopter with a Rotorway.

The Rotorway is the ONLY helicopter that permited me to own one. Why ? Because first the purchase price is much less. Second, the maintenance can be done by yourself.
MY TIME IS FREE.

I looked at the possibility to buy a what I felt was the cheapest certified helicopter to BUY on the market. The Enstrom. I found one at $75K canadian and went to look at it. I was pleased with it and started to check the feasability of the project.

I know a few owners who like them and we have a local certified mechanic that is licensed for Enstrom and had a good discution with him and we both thought I could be own one of these for a relatively reasonable fee.

I then started to calculate the real cost of owning one. When I looked at ALL the scheduled maintenance It was clear it DIDN'T COMPARE AT ALL with the Rotorway. If some of you think Rotorway parts are expensive check with certified ones.

I now know that to own a certified helicopter I would need to be a partner with two more guys. An some of us for some reason don't want that.

Claude, much respect, and I can see your point, but I dont know that the math is that cut and dry. I guess that is assuming all your time is free?

I know that if I paid myself $15/hour for every hour I spent learning, reading, building, testing, fixing, I probably could have paid for a nice R22 Beta. Something with time left on blades but perhaps one that has been 'feild' overhauled. Enstrom is good too.

Also look at the value of the asset. I am assuming the next cost of a Talon is 95k, plus the builder will have probably 10k in misc, radios paint, etc. In the end, they have 100+k in a ship that MIGHT bring 50-60k on the market used.

Certified are not like that. Your money is 'safer' and more predictable in that investment.

Dont get me wrong, the desire to build a ship you can fly is an alluring one. I fell HARD for the idea even though many around me that are high time pilots all tired to talk me out of it. I did not listen either. That is why I am simply sharing that for me, the rotorway is the perfect ship for a guy who the build is as important as the flying. I think building one because one thinks it is 'cheaper' will find the math does not always add up.

Good luck and fly safe!