Purchasing ex-military aircraft? (helos)

Site Notices

TNVC Partners With Envision Technology - MARS Rangefinder Family, MARS-Lc!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Purchasing ex-military aircraft? (helos)

Posted: 10/1/2005 8:50:06 AM EDT

Is it possible to purchase decommissioned military aircraft? (mainly helos)

I would kill for a Blackhawk or Little bird (without armaments, of course).

Posted: 10/1/2005 8:54:52 AM EDT

[#1]

www.garlickhelicopters.com/index.html

Posted: 10/1/2005 8:59:53 AM EDT

[#2]

Now I think a Cobra would make you the coolest kid on the block!!!

Posted: 10/1/2005 10:17:57 AM EDT

[#3]

Blackhawks aren't certified for civilian use for anyone. There have long been "civilian" versions of the Little Bird; in fact, the airframe began as a civilian craft IIRC, just like the Kiowa/JetRanger.

-Troy

Posted: 10/1/2005 10:58:29 AM EDT

[#4]

I've seen some Hueys and Cobras on eBay from time to time. A company in Florida has them for sale. I don't know the company name.

Posted: 10/1/2005 11:01:41 AM EDT

[#5]

I saw a show a couple weeks ago called "Tycoon Toys" and one of the guys on there owned a Cobra, even had demilled rocket pods and the nose gun. IIRC it said there were only a few of them of them in civilian hands and he paid right around $1 million for it. I seriously doubt you will ever see a Blackhawk surplused out, the Little Bird would be a lot easier, you could just buy an MD500 and paint it matte black.

Posted: 10/1/2005 11:03:18 AM EDT

[#6]

So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

Posted: 10/1/2005 11:49:55 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

Huey

Posted: 10/1/2005 12:14:08 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

MD-500 you could almost afford to fly on a regular basis...

Posted: 10/1/2005 12:14:22 PM EDT

[#9]

These guys have some cool toys!

www.armyav.org/

Posted: 10/1/2005 12:19:23 PM EDT

[#10]

Military helos aren't FAA certified. They would have to be registered as "Experimental" aircraft.

Posted: 10/1/2005 2:48:55 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I saw a show a couple weeks ago called "Tycoon Toys" and one of the guys on there owned a Cobra, even had demilled rocket pods and the nose gun. IIRC it said there were only a few of them of them in civilian hands and he paid right around $1 million for it. I seriously doubt you will ever see a Blackhawk surplused out, the Little Bird would be a lot easier, you could just buy an MD500 and paint it matte black.

One of the owners of an AH-1S Cobra has repeatedly been chased by cops, thinking the helo was stolen. Even held at gunpoint at his local airfield until things got sorted out. Cobra airframes, completely stripped, have been mistkenly sold through DRMO and forcibly taken back from the "owners". Every DRMO has a clause that allows this.

Posted: 10/1/2005 6:43:25 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

Huey...no doubt

Posted: 10/1/2005 6:46:05 PM EDT

[#13]

C'mon a little bird would rock!! You could land anywhere!!

Posted: 10/1/2005 7:32:34 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
C'mon a little bird would rock!! You could land anywhere!!

Are those side exterior seats available for civie purchase?

Posted: 10/1/2005 7:37:31 PM EDT

[#15]

I believe the LittleBirds of BHD fame and what Blackwater flies are stripped/converted whatever MD530's

Posted: 10/1/2005 7:43:59 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
I believe the LittleBirds of BHD fame and what Blackwater flies are stripped/converted whatever MD530's

IIRC the only difference between the 500 and 530 is the engine, the 530 is the "lifting" version and has about 200 more horsepower.

Posted: 10/1/2005 7:53:29 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Quoted:
So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

MD-500 you could almost afford to fly on a regular basis...

I want your job

If I recall a 500 costs around $200.00 per hour minimum and this is before all the fuel gouging

Posted: 10/1/2005 7:54:13 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Quoted:
So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

Huey...no doubt

I'd get a Sea Stallion ...............They work real well

Posted: 10/1/2005 7:55:49 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I believe the LittleBirds of BHD fame and what Blackwater flies are stripped/converted whatever MD530's

IIRC the only difference between the 500 and 530 is the engine, the 530 is the "lifting" version and has about 200 more horsepower.

That and the 530 has 5 blades vs 4

Posted: 10/2/2005 2:18:44 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
So now the question is:

Little Bird or Huey?

MD-500 you could almost afford to fly on a regular basis...

I want your job

If I recall a 500 costs around $200.00 per hour minimum and this is before all the fuel gouging

like I said... almost

I think an MD500 would be cheaper to operate than a huey.

Posted: 10/2/2005 7:32:28 AM EDT

[#21]

You guys are going about this all wrong! You have to go outside the USA to countries that purchased barnd-new or surplus US military choppers. With the same amount of money you would pay here, they would probably throw in the weaponry.

Posted: 10/2/2005 7:41:39 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Now I think a Cobra would make you the coolest kid on the block!!!

How to commute to work in style.

Get your own parking spot, "heli-pool" a friend.

on the "heli-pool" aspect, might wanna go with a Huey, but the cost for the passengers popping smoke in the morning for a ride could get spendy.

Then you have the whole issue of your "Work Parking Spot", they might get grumpy having to install a roof entry.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Purchasing ex-military aircraft? (helos)

General » General Discussion

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us