Best 5 seat helicopter?

[Bracken]

I want to know what everyone thinks the best 5 place helicopter is (pilot +4 passengers)? For the sake of all the questions lets just say it's for 135 operations and tours in the Pac NW. The helicopter needs to be able to easily carry 4 passengers plus the pilot with a decent fuel load (90 mins) and a bit of payload (100lbs). I am curious what everyone thinks is the best helicopter for the price. Thanks!

 

In case anyone is going to ask the pilot has over 1000 hours of Total helicopter time, 50 hrs turbine, is CFII and is dual rated with about 300 hours in fixed wing.

[zippiesdrainage]

Depends on the altitude. If it's sea level you can comfortably use a long ranger and save a bit of money. But with some altitude you will start needing something more powerful. I personally would go with an Astar for the tail rotor authority at a higher altitude so you won't over torque with a gust of wind.

[lelebebbel]

Passengers prefer the ASTAR over the Long Ranger due to the seating arrangement. More open cabin (front passenger isn't as isolated from the rest as in an L) and no backwards seats.

 

I would rule out any 5-seater machines (2+3) because the rear middle seats are usually not very popular.

AS350-BAs are cheap but have very very limited internal payload with 5 on board, they really are a 50% fuel type of machine. So I'd look at an AS350-B2 or one of the 3rd-party engine conversions like the SD or whatever.

Edited September 19, 2016 by lelebebbel

[turbotay]

Me personally, a longranger or 407. Longranger is cheaper and will carry a good amount at lower elavations but the 407 is hard to bring to MGW till you get up in altitude and youll get a lot better performance. I've heard different opinions about seating, some pasengers like to see the pilot whereas some people prefer privacy, depends on your clients. Things to think about are the location, are you flying around Seattle or up in the mountains? Equipment; will you need popout floats, leather seats for charter ect.

[Wally]

Do you want to interact with the passengers? No? Bell.

If you want the possibility of social interaction passenger and pilot, an Astar.