How bad is it not to have hangarage availalbe?

[European Flyer]

Hi, I'm a light plane pilot and instructor, but I have yet no experience of helicopters. I instruct one day a week for the fun of it, but my main professional occupation has not much to do with aviation.

My plan is to purchase a helicopter for personal transportation and commuting (R44 probably). Unfortunately, there is no hangarage available at the heliport in Paris (France!), close to which I leave. Grass parking is available though.

As no helicopter seem to be permanently parked on grass at that heliport, I wonder if it's allowed/recommendable/safe not to hangar a helicopter?

 

[r22butters]

Depends on the weather I guess? Where I live the helicopters I fly are not hangared, but we don't get any real extreme weather here! I have heard that hail can damage the blades though?

[Mountain Marauder]

We parked our helicopters outside in Alaska all year long unless they were in the hanger for maintenance.  A good set of covers is money well spent as they protect the glass, engine and rotorhead from sun and rain.  Blade covers can be made with a layer of foam on top to prevent hail damage as well as eliminating the need for deice if they get snowed on or freezing rain.  Tail rotor blade and gearbox covers should be included as well as main rotor and tail rotor tie downs to protect damage from strong winds.