surplus helicopters?

[maddawg308]

I've seen a bunch of CH-47s come out through GSA within the last year or so too. Many looked rough, but based the info in the auction (and the price) all looked air-worthy.

Any idea of the closing price? Not that I could afford one, just curious...

 

[Avn-Tech]

GSA recently listed several OH-58's UH-1's and UH-60's, even a CH-47. But they all went for high dollars.
They also had Complete flying Sherpa aircraft and a parted out P-3.
I was watching and trying to buy a C-119 & C-123 several months ago, but they exceeded my budget by about $2K.

Laterrrrr
Avn-Tech

 

[Another Ahab]

Any idea of the closing price? Not that I could afford one, just curious...

Me, too. Curious...

 

[sigo]

I never saw what they went for. I'm sure they weren't cheap.

 

[Another Ahab]

Just wondering if they were in the, say, $30K range or something closer to $300K.

Like, any chance of a reach at all or just totally out of reach altogether; you know?

 

[Tinstar]

They all went for well over 200k.

The acquisition price isn't the expensive part at all. That's cheap.

The real cost is making it airworthy and able to pass all the inspections.
When one, just one rotor blade is over $90k. Not one set. One out of 6 (for the 47hook anyway)
List is endless.
Price really adds up fast.
Then.....
The 7-8 minimum hours of maintenance for every flight hour.
Then fuel
and on and on........


Doesnt take a genius to figure out why only governments (or billionaires) can afford to fly these.

 

[amgeneral72]

Just delivered this one to NC last week.
Or whats left of it.

 

[Another Ahab]

Just delivered this one to NC last week.
View attachment 660382

With just a little modification, and some re-purposing that could make for a wicked-nice lake boat:

- Pontoons at the skids, and one of those long-shaft Thailand outboards

You know, like this:

 

[oregonfirefighter]

There are a couple heavy lift and Wildland fire companies that now own and operate Firehawks ( Blackhawks). Firehawk helicopters out of Idaho is one of them. Also LA County has a couple in use as rescue and fire suppression.

 

[DanM7890]

Just delivered this one to NC last week.
Or whats left of it.
View attachment 660382View attachment 660383

I would love a shell, such a great pickup.

 

[Tinstar]

There are a couple heavy lift and Wildland fire companies that now own and operate Firehawks ( Blackhawks). Firehawk helicopters out of Idaho is one of them. Also LA County has a couple in use as rescue and fire suppression.

Helicopters for "Public Safety/Public Use" are much less regulated than a standard civilian operation.
Legally, if you fly PS aircraft, like a police or fire dept, you don't even need a pilots license. Yes it's true.
All departments and agencies do require a license of course, but some Indian tribes do not.
A lot of the FAA rules also don't apply since PS are exempt.

Anyone flying a non-military hawk either has a VERY good contract and/or public funds to keep them flying.
It takes a LOT of $$$ to do so.

They are a blast to fly.
I have many years flying them.
But they cost a lot to keep them running.

 

[CARNAC]

They had a bunch of Vietnam era helicopters in the inaug parade last week. Drove them down the parade route on trailers. Quite nice.

 

[68t]

tinstar, have you been at fort Campbell flying blackhawks .

 

[Tinstar]

tinstar, have you been at fort Campbell flying blackhawks .

Oh yes!

 

[68t]

I was a crewchief on huey,s then blackhawks, but retired now. We was a Campbell a lot. I,ll send a pm

 

[Another Ahab]

Helicopters for "Public Safety/Public Use" are much less regulated than a standard civilian operation.

Anyone flying a non-military hawk either has a VERY good contract and/or public funds to keep them flying.
It takes a LOT of $$$ to do so.

They are a blast to fly.
I have many years flying them.
But they cost a lot to keep them running.

Didn't know that licensing detail.

I think I saw somewhere that the rule of thumb for "flying machines" (of all kinds), is 8 hours of service and maintenance for every hour of flight time.

Is there anything to that; is it close?

 

[hndrsonj]

Didn't know that licensing detail.

I think I saw somewhere that the rule of thumb for "flying machines" (of all kinds), is 8 hours of service and maintenance for every hour of flight time.

Is there anything to that; is it close?

My only helicopter maintenance experience was MH-53's, and 8 hours isn't even remotely close.

 

[Tinstar]

Didn't know that licensing detail.

I think I saw somewhere that the rule of thumb for "flying machines" (of all kinds), is 8 hours of service and maintenance for every hour of flight time.

Is there anything to that; is it close?

Totally depends on the airframe. (Type of helicopter). I haven't a clue about fixed wing.

The type and number/complexity of systems onboard affects the number also
Autopilot, radar, etc.
Some systems are a bear to troubleshoot/repair/adjust , which eats up time.
Age/Hours of the airframe also affects it.
Just like your car....The older a helicopter is, the more maintenance it requires.

Basic rule of thumb.....the bigger the helicopter.... the more maintenance hours for each flight hour.
I know exactly what they are for the army helos but can't post it.

Yea.
It adds up.

 

[Tinstar]

My only helicopter maintenance experience was MH-53's, and 8 hours isn't even remotely close.

Would guess close to 14-17 maintenance hours per flight hour in that beast.
Never flown one and have been inside only a few times.
Those are old airframes.

 

[hndrsonj]

Would guess close to 14-17 maintenance hours per flight hour in that beast.
Never flown one and have been inside only a few times.
Those are old airframes.

Multiply that by 4 and you are getting close.