Private Helicopters - Is it Better to Charter or Buy?

There was enormous anticipation from those early helicopter engineers and designers. They held a vision for private helicopters, expecting the aircraft to transform the realm of personal transport.

The reality has proven to be somewhat different. Those early visions and dreams have not not been achieved or fulfilled simply because costs of ownership have proven to be a barrier to all but the supremely wealthy. Fixed wing aircraft are cheaper to buy and and maintain than rotary head craft, although it is true that they are nowhere near as versatile when it comes to take off and landing sites.

For those determined to own a personal helicopter, the Robinson R22 offers the lowest cost option. Very few pilots and engineers in the world of aviation are ambivalent about the R22. You'll find that those who operate in this realm either love them or hate them and rarely sit on the fence. The advantages of the R22 are that it is relatively inexpensive and it incorporates a cheaper to maintain piston engine. However, it can only seat two people and it is does not offer the level of comfort and luxury that many expect from private flight.

Larger helicopters offering higher levels of comfort and space inside the cabin are more desirable for executive travel but these aircraft are prohibitively expensive for most individuals to purchase or maintain, which is why chartering becomes a very attractive option. An added advantage of the jet engined helicopter is that it can seat more passengers, which means the cost per passenger is reduced, and it displays more stability during flight, making the journey more comfortable.

One of the main problems with owning your own helicopter is that you can not take advantage of the journey time to relax and prepare for whatever awaits you at your destination. If you are going to pilot and or navigate yourself to your meeting or event, you are not going arrive refreshed and ready to go.

It is for these reasons that many people who may want to make use of a helicopter for personal transportation consider a private charter. Arguably it is the best option simply because they benefit from all the advantages of private travel with none of the headaches associated with maintaining an aircraft and managing flight crews.

People make use of the air charter services provided by companies such as Fly Me Now, based in the UK, to save time as a helicopter is a sure fire way of avoiding traffic jams.

Others run seemingly impossible schedules and a private helicopter charter is the only way they can attend multiple sites in one day.

Those who need to extract maximum value form their restricted rest and recreation time will find a helicopter charter is the best way to attend sporting events or social occasions.

High profile individuals enjoy the unrivalled privacy offered by executive travel that allows them to move around freely without being identified or bothered by fans or media.

Whatever your reason for using private helicopters chartering is an attractive option.

About the Author:

Rick J Beasley