While most people are used to cars and other road vehicles, helicopters are mostly known to be exclusive to the rich and famous only. It is because they can be expensive, and only millionaires or government agencies can afford to buy and fly them.
But several models are cheaper, making them available even for those with a limited budget. While the average helicopter comes with a price of $1,500,000, some of them are selling for as little as $50,000.
The huge price difference in helicopters makes at least one model available for every budget. Their cost will increase as they grow in size and feature more options. Regardless of which option you’re going for, we will discuss 6 costs of buying and owning a personal helicopter.
Summary
The biggest hidden costs of buying and owning a personal helicopter are crew salaries and insurance. Other hidden costs are represented by fuel and miscellaneous fees, such as hangar and airport landing fees.
In this article, we’ll also talk about the following topics:
- How much does a personal helicopter cost to buy?
- 6 costs of owning a helicopter
- 1. Insurance
- 2. The model
- 3. Fuel
- 4. Maintenance & Repair
- 5. Miscellaneous fees
- 6. Crew salary
- Cost of renting

How much does a personal helicopter cost to buy?
Whether you are in Florida or California, there is a helicopter for sale in every state in the country. You can find lots of models with a wide price range. The most expensive ones can reach up to $27,000,000, whereas a single blade can cost as much as $30,000.
The aviation industry has strict safety standards for commercial airliners and personal helicopters. Every component is made with high-quality materials. These parts are calibrated and tested for optimal operation and maximum safety.
Because these parts undergo extensive testing, their price increases significantly. The final price can easily reach 7 figures when added together to build the aircraft itself. For the same capacity, helicopters are often more expensive than airplanes.

On average, you should expect to pay $1,500,000 to purchase a helicopter. Depending on your own needs, this price might significantly increase or reduce down to 5 figures.
Further down, we’ll look at the 6 costs of owning a helicopter:
- Insurance
- The model
- The fuel
- Miscellaneous fees
- Maintenance
- Crew
6 costs of owning a helicopter
While they come with a significant price tag, the investment into such an aircraft does not stop once you purchase it. Over time, you will need to allocate a part of your budget towards the maintenance and repair of your new purchase. Let’s take a look at the 6 costs of owning a helicopter.

1. Insurance
Because you are the helicopter owner, you are responsible for everything that happens to your property. Getting insurance that will cover the immense costs associated with repairs and medical care is essential.
Generally, standard insurance prices range between 1 and 2 million dollars. For a small helicopter, you can expect to pay between $80 to $120. This insurance will cover any third-party injuries or property damage.
2. The model
The price of a helicopter depends on several factors such as your needs or whether you want to buy them new or used. The R-22 model we discussed above sells for $250,000, but you can always find second-hand ones going for $100,000.
The Airbus H155 is an option for those who value luxury the most. They are used for transporting VIPs and can carry up to 13 passengers. However, the price of a new H155 is $10,000,000, but you can always find used ones for $4,000,000.
Because they are complex machines made with high-quality materials, helicopters can be expensive to manufacture and design. That is why the price for these aircraft is also higher, but it is something worth paying for.
3. Fuel
The type of fuel the helicopter takes and the size of its tank are some of the factors that determine how much you will spend on the fuel. Helicopters can either be turbine-powered or piston-powered. They both run on different fuels and will have different prices.
A small aircraft will use between 6 to 16 gallons of fuel per hour. Larger and heavier models will consume above 20 gallons of fuel in an hour. While these are minimum values, remember that heavy helicopters can sometimes use hundreds of gallons of fuel in an hour.

4. Maintenance & Repair
While owning a car will cost you only $0.09/mile for maintenance, helicopters get a lot more expensive. While your vehicle can be taken to the nearest auto repair shop for an inspection and quick repair, helicopters are heavy-duty and need special maintenance.
The engine and the rotor systems are complex and require strict inspection at specific intervals. Therefore, unexpected maintenance and parts replacement costs can contribute to the cost of owning a helicopter. In general, you should expect to pay several thousand dollars a year.
5. Miscellaneous fees

You should consider additional costs, including the registration fee or the safety management costs. Remember that you have to store your helicopter somewhere, and the driveway of your house might not be the best idea.
You will have to pay hangar fees and airport landing fees, which differ from airport to airport. Your pilot might also request specific navigation and communication hardware or even software subscriptions that will increase your monthly cost.
6. Crew salary
If you have a license and you will fly the aircraft yourself, then this cost does not apply to you. But for those that are not able to operate an aircraft, hiring a pilot and crew is necessary. A pilot receives approximately $94,000 a year, but this pay can depend on several factors.
Private companies transporting business executives or celebrities will have to pay more for their crew. This cost is significantly reduced if you run small operations such as helicopter tours.
Cost of renting

While military Sikorsky or Apache helicopters might be out of your reach, you can still rent civilian helicopters, whether 2-seaters or 4-seaters. Purchasing one will make you its owner for as long as you want, giving you the freedom to fly whenever you need.
But renting a helicopter can be cheaper. Companies that offer these services are usually charging by the hour. When you are privately renting one, the operator will specify the conditions to you as these companies have their own rules.
The main factor that decides the rental cost is whether the aircraft has one or two engines. If you want to rent one to practice flying or take a scenic tour, a single-engine one is perfect and reduces the rental cost.
You should also consider the wet and dry rates. When the fuel cost is included in the hourly charge, this is considered a wet rate. But if the charter will offer their services at a dry rate, be advised that you will have to pay for the fuel separately.
City | Company | Contact |
New York City | HeliFlite | (973) 273-7572 |
New York City | Liberty Helicopters | (212) 786-5751 |
Los Angeles | Los Angeles Helicopters | (877) 335-7038 |
Los Angeles | Star Helicopters | (310) 355-1959 |
Las Vegas | Grand Canyon Helicopters | (702) 835-8477 |
Miami | Heli Air Miami | (786) 527-5674 |
San Francisco | San Francisco Helicopters | (650) 635-4500 |
Chicago | Heli Chicago | (847) 602-1888 |
Atlanta | Atlanta Helicopter Tours | (404) 500-6468 |
Dallas | Epic Helicopters | (214) 296-2289 |
Denver | Denver Helicopter Charters | (800) 615-9754 |