The Four Pillars of Your Direct Operating Costs (DOC)

Our $435/hour figure is a comprehensive calculation based on the typical usage of a private pilot flying 100 hours per year. It is comprised of four primary expense categories that every owner will encounter.

Pillar 1: Insurance (~$150/Hour)

A robust insurance policy is a non-negotiable part of aircraft ownership, providing critical protection for you and your investment.

• Basis of Calculation: Based on current market quotes, the annual insurance premium for an HX50/HC50 is approximately $15,000 USD.
• Hourly Breakdown: When spread across 100 hours of annual flight time, this equates to $150 per hour. ( ~15,000÷100 flight hours = 150/hr.)

While this figure is a solid baseline, your final premium may be adjusted based on your individual pilot experience and history. Fly more hours and your per-hour insurance decreases (e.g., 150 ℎ𝑟𝑠/𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 ≈ 100/ℎ𝑟; 50 ℎ𝑟𝑠/𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 ≈ 100/ℎ𝑟; 50ℎ𝑟𝑠/𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 ≈ 300/hr).

Pillar 2: Fuel (~$192/Hour)

Fuel is the most variable component of your DOC, but we’ve based our estimate on a conservative, real-world model.

• Fuel Consumption: The efficient GT50 engine consumes a predictable 35 US gallons of Jet A fuel per hour.
• Cost Estimate: The $192 per hour figure is calculated using the upper end of the average fuel price across the United States, ensuring our estimate is realistic and not overly optimistic.

You can easily personalise this number by multiplying 35 gallons by the current price of Jet A fuel at your home airport. Example: At 5.50/gal, fuel≈5.50/gal, fuel ≈ 5.50/gal, fuel≈192.50/hr.

Pillar 3: Routine Maintenance (~$52/Hour)

This portion of your budget covers all standard, recurring maintenance needed to keep your helicopter in pristine, airworthy condition.

• Scope of Coverage: This includes your annual inspections, all necessary fluids and filters, and other consumables.
• Hourly Allocation: This essential work is budgeted at $52 per hour, ensuring that your helicopter is always ready for your next flight.

This aligns with typical private utilisation (around 100 hours/year), so plan proportionally if you fly more or less.

Pillar 4: Overhaul & Component Reserve (~$36/Hour)

Thinking ahead is key to stress-free ownership. This reserve fund is a proactive way to budget for the replacement of major, time-limited components far in the future.

• The 5,000-Hour Milestone: The primary scheduled overhaul event occurs at 5,000 flight hours, which includes the replacement of the engine and both gearboxes. The estimated cost for this is around $150,000.
• Building Your Fund: By setting aside $36 for every hour you fly, you are methodically building the reserve needed to cover this major service event without any financial surprises.
• Long-Term Coverage: This reserve also accounts for the eventual replacement of other long-life wear components, such as pitch links and a small provision for rotor blades, which have an exceptionally long life of 15,000-20,000 hours.