Top 10 Cheapest Helicopters In The World

Top 10 Most Affordable Helicopters In The World 2024

Helicopters may be expensive, so flying one on your own will likely break the bank. Helicopters typically cost more than private planes. If you're looking for affordable models, you've found them. Perhaps there's room in your garage for one?

Because of their increased complexity, helicopters cost more than planes. To keep themselves upright, they must adhere to strict safety regulations and use increasingly complicated components, beginning with the rotors.

Owning a helicopter doesn't get cheaper once you buy one. Helicopters, which are more prone to crashes than private planes, might have astronomical insurance premiums on top of the already exorbitant expenditures of maintenance and fuel. Nevertheless, reaching the sky is worth the effort.

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What Factors Influence the Price of a Helicopter?

There are a lot of intricate moving elements in a helicopter. There is a maximum lifespan for the majority of these components. Its worth is directly proportional to the amount of life it contains. The availability of the specific model and the total cost of these parts determine the price of a used helicopter.

Even though a less expensive helicopter first seems like a fantastic deal, the buyer should consider the component life cycles. If a major component, such as the engine or primary transmission, needs repair soon, the replacement cost might quickly make the 'Deal' seem unfavorable.

When there is a surplus of a certain helicopter on the market, buyers have their selection of many models, which drives down prices as sellers try to unload their planes. When there are a lot of that model available, you can find bargains and make deals. Sellers might take advantage of a lack of buyers in the market to start bidding wars, driving up prices.

Top 10 Most Affordable Helicopters In The World 2024

1. Composite FX XE - $59,000

The most affordable helicopter available is the Composite-FX XE, which is a lighter variant of the well-liked Composite-FX XE 290. This helicopter may be yours for about $46,000 when purchased as a kit. For an additional $59,000, you may get it ready to go from the factory.

The XE is lighter than the average automobile, coming in at a mere 298 pounds (135 kilograms). Its maximum takeoff weight, pilot included, is 610 lbs (275 kg). That thing's got a MZ202 carburetor motor.

The XEL variant also has floats, allowing you to land on water.

2. HeliCycle - $67,000

The HeliCycle is one of the more affordable helicopter options, costing about $67,000. Any budget-conscious aircraft or do-it-yourself enthusiast would love this kit.

The HeliCycle is incredibly cheap due to its diminutive size compared to traditional helicopters. Since it can only accommodate one person, it is best suited for solo travelers. It produces power despite its compact design, thanks to its gas turbine engine.

3. Composite-FX XE - $30,000 to $70,000

With a price tag of just $55,000 for the kit and $70,000 for the final product, the Composite-FX XE 290 is the most budget-friendly factory-built helicopter available.

Mosquitos is a loving nickname for the teeny-tiny helicopters in Composite's FX series. Because they only have room for one person, these helicopters aren't the best choice for transporting a large group. Nevertheless, assembly costs are reduced because to the decreased capacity and ultra-light cabin.

With its 800cc 90HP fuel-injected piston engine, the little Composite-FX XE 290 packs a powerful punch. Speeding up to 95 mph (152 kph) is its maximum. Two hours of cruising at 80 mph (128 kph) is possible.

When empty, the XE 290 weighs 390 pounds (177 kilograms), and its maximum gross weight is 720 pounds (362 kilograms).

4. B-2 Brantly - $100,000

In spite of its unassuming appearance, the Brantly B-2 ranks as the world's most affordable helicopter. Despite its widespread disapproval, it succeeded in one key area: pricing.

The United States Army Air Corps requested an upgraded light reconnaissance helicopter in 1946. Among the freelance designers was N O Brantly, a man with dreams of building an empire based on helicopters.

But it was too hard to put into practice. The Brantly B-2 is the product of Brantly's desire to design a helicopter that private pilot enthusiasts would love.

5. Phoenix A600 Turbo - $108,550

Among the most recent and well-liked helicopter kits in the world, the Phoenix A600 Turbo, is manufactured by Rotor X. It will be released in 2021 and will be based on the previous A600 kit that Rotor X bought from RotorWay a few years ago. At a reasonable price of $108,550, you can own this kit.

This helicopter kit has become very popular for a number of reasons. One of them is the better design, which gives the impression of a factory-built helicopter rather than a kit helicopter, which is a huge improvement above the matchstick models that are so common.

6. Afalina, the HeliWhale — $120,000

Ever since its debut in 2016, the Afalina has been acknowledged as the most affordable helicopter in the world. Since it's one of the cheapest to buy and operate, this is mostly true.

Several of these models are an effort at the "cheap" helicopter that manufacturers have been thinking about releasing for a long time. But they've always been out of reach for the ordinary individual.

This is the approach that HeliWhale will take. A two-seat helicopter with room for one passenger and one crew member was introduced in 2015 and sold for less than $120,000. There were a lot of inquiries for the helicopter from HeliWhale because of its specs and price. A helicopter with a 750 km (470 mi) range and a cruise speed of 200 kph (120 mph) costs $120,000.

7. Safari 400 - $143,000

The Safari 400 is another do-it-yourself helicopter kit, but this one comes from Safari Helicopters. The whole set is priced at $142,800, which is little less than the Hummingbird 300L.

As far as starter kits go, the Safari 400 is among the easiest. Installation of a wire harness, which further simplifies electrical wiring for beginners, and most of the complex assembly is done in the factory. The kit is available in four parts in case you don't have enough space to keep it all at once.

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8. 300L Hummingbird - $227, 000

A lot of companies produce helicopter kits for people who are interested in aviation but would rather build their own machines. Although assembling a helicopter kit takes a lot of time and doesn't require many specialist skills, it is still beyond the reach of the typical aviation enthusiast. At almost $227,000, the Hummingbird 300L is among the priciest of these packages.

9. Rhino R22 - $328,200

The R44 and R66 are two more models that Robinson Helicopter Company makes based on the R22. Among the more affordable helicopters, you'll find the Robinson R22, R44, and R66.

Few people in the general public had helicopters for personal use until the mid-1970s. Worldwide news agencies started requesting low-cost aircraft to film with as television's popularity skyrocketed. Frank Robinson was one of the people who heard this. In order to transport two persons and multiple cameras to various locations, he opted to construct a little helicopter with a high service ceiling.

10. Guimbal Cabri G2 - Price: $350,000

Hélicoptères Guimbal is a French company that excels at making affordable, lightweight helicopters. The Cabri G2, made by Guimbal and dubbed "the small big helicopter," costs only around $350,000.

In their pursuit of cost and weight savings, Guimbal spared no sacrifices. A lot of the power of larger helicopters is available to the Cabri G2, thanks to its crash-resistant features, main rotor that provides stability, and elegant cabin.

In summary

The total price of helicopters has dropped due to innovations including lighter models and do-it-yourself kits. The machine's price will be lower if it has fewer seats and takes up less space. There are two types of helicopters available: kit and fully constructed. Most of them are commercial airlines, but there are a few that are military planes as well.

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