Where can somebody buy a cheap helicopter?

Question

my brother is going to open a helicopter tour business and to start he needs one with a couple of seats for passangers and it need to be less than 1 million dollers.

Answer 1

Keep an eye on this site, http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaau... , helicopters from military surplus show up from time to time.

There are also several helos available on ebay

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/___W0Q...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-R22-...

I also recommend looking in any of the several aviation magizines.

http://americanhelicoptermag.com/

http://www.helicoptersmagazine.com/

Answer 2

Search online. Or ask some other helicopter tour places where they buy theirs.

PS. Thats a really cool job!

Answer 3

Brand new Robinson R44 Raven 1's start at $320K

http://www.robinsonheli.com/productconfi...

Answer 4

Cheap and helicopter does NOT go hand in hand.

When I lived in Maui, I used to know a family who owned a helicopter business.  And it just was NOT a cheap business to start.  

You need to get investors - as simple as that.

Good Luck...

Answer 5

A hobby shop

Answer 6

home builts are the cheapest, but go to aero trader.. I think if you are going to be doing tours.. you shouldn't have a lot of trouble finding a helo for that.. but watch out for a helo close to a major inspection... that is where the cost is. Pre-buys need to be done very carefully. and make sure they have ALL the log books..flight manual and a good maintenance history.

Also, this put him as a part 135... make sure you follow part 135 of the FAR's. There is a lot more required than part 91 opperators... make sure he knows his requiements.

Remember, the best way to make a small fortune in aviation...is to start with a big one.