How much does a private helicopter cost? ——Price and purchasing guide of popular models in 2024
With the rapid development of the low-altitude economy, private helicopters have become the focus of high-net-worth individuals. This article will combine the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to analyze the prices, usage costs and industry trends of the current mainstream models in the market.
1. Price comparison of popular helicopter models in 2024

| Model | Reference price (RMB) | Number of seats | Voyage (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson R44 | 4-5 million | 4 | 560 |
| Bell 505 Jet Ranger X | 15-18 million | 5 | 650 |
| Airbus H125 | 25-30 million | 6 | 720 |
| Sikorsky S-76D | 120-150 million | 12 | 1112 |
| AgustaWestland AW109 | 45-60 million | 8 | 950 |
2. Recent industry hot events
1.Low-altitude economic policies are favorable: The State Council issued the "2024 Low-altitude Economic Development Outline", and many places piloted the opening of airspace below 3,000 meters.
2.New energy helicopter breakthrough: EHang EH216-S received the world’s first airworthiness certificate, and the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) model attracted attention
3.Second-hand transactions heat up: Data from a second-hand trading platform show that the transaction volume of second-hand helicopters in the past five years has increased by 37% year-on-year.
3. Annual usage cost analysis
| Project | R44 annual cost | Bell 505 Cost |
|---|---|---|
| insurance premium | 150,000-200,000 | 400,000-600,000 |
| Maintenance fee | 300,000-500,000 | 800,000-1.2 million |
| Fuel cost (200 hours/year) | 250,000-350,000 | 600,000-900,000 |
| parking fee | 100,000-150,000 | 200,000-300,000 |
| total | 800,000-1.2 million | 2-3 million |
4. Suggestions on purchasing
1.Getting Started: It is recommended to start with second-hand R44, which is simple to operate and has low maintenance costs.
2.Business use: Consider Bell 505 or AW109, taking into account both comfort and range
3.investment trends: Pay attention to electric vertical take-off and landing models, but you need to pay attention to the current endurance limit (generally <200km)
5. Obtain the latest updates on license plates
According to the latest data from the Civil Aviation Administration, the number of people obtaining private helicopter licenses in Q1 of 2024 will increase by 52% year-on-year, and the training cost will be approximately 250,000-400,000 yuan, with a cycle of 6-12 months. It is worth noting that some manufacturers (such as Robinson) provide machine purchase + training package services, which can save 15% of the total cost.
Conclusion:The purchase of a private helicopter requires comprehensive consideration of budget, purpose and operation and maintenance capabilities. It is recommended that potential buyers participate in air show experiences (such as the upcoming Zhuhai Air Show) and cooperate with professional brokerage companies to complete the cross-border procurement process. With the advancement of the low-altitude opening policy, the next three years may usher in an explosion of private aircraft consumption.
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