higher end purchase

[Supa Dexta]

No, not a bmw or benz, higher..... I've had this idea in my head since I was a kid, I've always loved helicopters.. So today I started shopping around, I had no idea what the cost of one would be, and the initial prices of 1-6mil shocked me.. I was expecting to find a used one for like 80-100k or so.. But then I came across http://www.helicycle.com

I really think I'd like to look into this further when I'm in a position to buy one.. I'd much rather have this then a sports car... Anyone else ever look into this idea? For 50-70k, I think it would be a blast.. 100mph, 160mile range, and all the freedom in the world.. sign me up...

:)

[scat19]

The range sucks, where are you going to go within 140NM?

It is a toy pretty much, you have the bare minimum basic of controls and instruments, i bet its hard to fly with the size as well. nice idea, but not worth it IMO.

And yes, even c172's are very expensive. Aviation = expensive.

I have dhc bolts on my desk, about 5" long 2" wide, 550 each...

[Lanks]

Originally posted by Supa Dexta
No, not a bmw or benz, higher..... I've had this idea in my head since I was a kid, I've always loved helicopters.. So today I started shopping around, I had no idea what the cost of one would be, and the initial prices of 1-6mil shocked me.. I was expecting to find a used one for like 80-100k or so.. But then I came across http://www.helicycle.com

I really think I'd like to look into this further when I'm in a position to buy one.. I'd much rather have this then a sports car... Anyone else ever look into this idea? For 50-70k, I think it would be a blast.. 100mph, 160mile range, and all the freedom in the world.. sign me up...

:)

Pretty cool how it is turbine powered. Don't forget to add 20-25k for your license though so you can actually fly it. Also the initial cost is 50-70k like you said but I bet its like $200 an hour to operate as well.

It would be a fuckin sweet toy however

[Cowtown_Raider]

While not a true helicopter, a gyrocopter might be the cheapest alternative

http://www.rotaryairforce.com/

I watched these fly on Daily Planet once and they were very cool. Can almost land in your backyard. You never have to worry about your engine dying on you because you can easily auto-gyrate safely back to earth.

[scat19]

Originally posted by Cowtown_Raider
While not a true helicopter, a gyrocopter might be the cheapest alternative

http://www.rotaryairforce.com/

I watched these fly on Daily Planet once and they were very cool. Can almost land in your backyard. You never have to worry about your engine dying on you because you can easily auto-gyrate safely back to earth.

You can auto-rotate in a helicopter as well, to safety.

Its the biggest mis-conception, your heli looses power and you drop out of the sky....

[Cowtown_Raider]

Let me rephrase that (of course you can auto-gyrate a helicopter, but the super light weight of the gyrocopter would make it safer and easier than something like a Robinson). I was referring more to a comparison between conventional fixed wing aircraft and the gyrocopter. But the OP wants a helicopter so my point is moot...LOL

Should also mention that the RAF 2000 is classified as a homebuilt/experimental so you have to put it together. I think you need to do 50% of the construction for it to qualify as a homebuilt.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

That's pretty sweet... wonder if you would still need a license if it was "homebuilt"? Probably. I wouldn't mind tho. 25k for the license, 35k (with all optiong) for the RAF2000 gyrocopter... nice weekend toy... just fly over race city (not exactly possible... legally, but still a fun idea)