Helicopter Prices In South Africa (2025)

Helicopter Prices in South Africa are just about equal with any other large asset. Buyers have to part with varying amounts of money, depending on the classifications of the various helicopters themselves.

Just like any other machine, they all have varying roles for which they are designed. Even though they may look the same to the untrained eye, some helicopters can be described as the rolls Royce of the air, while others can be described as the Toyota corolla of the air.

Surely, you would not expect to pay the same amount for a Rolls Royce as you would an everyday car. That is why the prices are different.

How Much Is A Helicopter In South Africa

Robinson R44 Raven I

Price: R3,990,000.00 ZAR

The Robinson R44 Raven is a light aircraft, capable of taking 4 persons. The helicopter also has a single engine, and is easy to maintain. It is usually used by camera crews for aerial photography and video works.

Robinson R44 Raven II

Price: R3,500,000.00 ZAR

The Robinson R44 Raven II is a light aircraft with improved specifications. It takes four passengers, and can be put to such uses where a quick and dependable aircraft is needed. It is one of the more popular helicopters with around 6,000 built since 2023. Its popularity is not for its price though, it is for its use as a multifunction aircraft.

2015 Robinson R44 Raven II

Price: R7,250,000.00 ZAR

A slightly improved version of the previous aircraft with hydraulic controls. This aircraft can easily take four passengers, plus cargo, and it is very easy to maintain. It is quick, dependable, and very good for various purposes. This is one of the more popular types of helicopters; with very good acceptance.

Bell 206

Price: R5,000,000.00 ZAR

The Bell 206 is a popular helicopter; one that is easily recognizable for all the features on television. It is commonly used by news crews, wealthy individuals, and the police. A variant is used by the US army. This is a very dependable helicopter; it is a two bladed helicopter with a very aerodynamic design. It is very easily maintained.

1980 Bell Jetranger III

Price: R7,950,000.00

The Bell Jetranger III is the iconic design that is often used by the Police and FBI in their field operations. This is also frequently used by the fire department for emergency operations. This is the basis of one of the US Army’s helicopters. It is versatile, fast, and efficient.

2007 Bell Jetranger III

R13,000,000.00

This is a more recent version of an already successful helicopter design. The Bell Jetranger III is frequently put to a diverse range of civilian and military uses. This helicopter can serve a variety of personal and commercial uses.

2018 Bell 505 Jetranger

Price: R22,000,000.00 ZAR

This is one of the top helicopters available in South Africa; and the world. It is basically spun off the earlier Jetrangers, but with improved specs in everything. This is a very dynamic helicopter, and will cater to the more luxurious types of person.

Bell 505 Jetranger X

Price: R35,000,000.00 ZAR

Not too far off from spec listed above, this also has some modern features, as well as a more luxurious appeal. This will appeal to those who want a luxurious helicopter – one that offers both safety and comfort. It is great for personal use, and can also serve commercial purposes.

Rotoway Exec

Price: R1,400,000.00 ZAR

This is a twin-blade helicopter with a super light fuselage. The helicopter is small; ideal for two people, and can serve as a personal plane for a person who can afford it. The helicopter can also serve agricultural or monitoring purposes like reconnaissance and other uses.

1980 Hughes 269

Price: R3,000,000 ZAR

There are not many 1980 Hughes 269s available today; but the very fact that these helicopters are still around is proof of their longevity. They are mostly used as training aircraft, and can also serve other uses. These are light aircraft with the capacity to carry 2 people.

2002 Eurocopter EC120

Price: R12,000,000.00 ZAR

The Eurocopter EC120 is a 5 seat helicopter developed by the French, Chinese, and Singaporeans. This is a light, helicopter with a diverse range of uses. It can serve as a personal helicopter, or for a company. It is also good for emergency services, or for any other type of application.

Robinson R22

Price: R2,490,000.00 ZAR

The Robinson R22 is a two seater, light aircraft which is usually used as a utility aircraft. The helicopter is a two blade aircraft, and seems good for short dashes. It can serve as a personal helicopter, or a training aircraft, or for any other use. It is easy to operate, and easy to maintain.

1989 MD500E

Price: R26,980,000.00 ZAR

The 1989 MD500E is a light helicopter which is currently in use as a civilian and military aircraft all over the world. It four blades, and is a dependable workhorse. The helicopter is quite durable; it has been around for several decades, and is still among the top helicopters on the Wishlist of many people in the know.

On Factors That Affect Cost Of Helicopters

The sort of Certification you will need will also determine the price of the helicopter. If you have to settle for a type certification, you won’t have to pay as much as another with an experimental certificate. These are very important and prominent things that determine the price of a helicopter.

Also, we should look at this from the perspective of repairs. These are needed things that affect the cost of helicopters. You will, for instance, have to pay more to repair a tail rotor compared to the cost of repairing a rotor blade.

Basically, you should be always conscious of the factors that affect the cost of helicopters. You should give thought to something like the fuel type too, as it is one of the major things that determine the price of a helicopter. There are different types of helicopters along this line too, and the manufacturers have obviously attached different prices to these.

We should also include the different types of helicopters along certification lines. A certified helicopter will definitely be more expensive than another that is not. There are helicopters with an autopilot feature as well as those without. Those without autopilot features will be less expensive than those with autopilot features.

Generally though, it is important to know the features of a helicopter before you purchase it. You should only buy a helicopter when you are sure that its features are things that will be useful to your needs.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal When Buying A Helicopter

When a person is purchasing a helicopter, it is always helpful to be conscious of these tips that will help ensure you get the best deal possible:

1. Make sure you look around properly, shopping adequately around before opting for a particular seller. Don’t simply stop at one spot without taking the effort to see what others could be offering. By so doing, you will be able to get the best deal from someone, after comparing with others. So, as you shop around, you will be able to compare different deals and offers, and you will have the liberty to settle for only the best.

2. To get the best deal when making attempts to purchase your helicopter, you should be patient a lot. You should remember that the patient dog will most likely get the fattest bone, as it is being said. Therefore, shoppers must realize the fact that getting the perfect helicopter takes time, and it is wise to ensure you won’t rush unnecessarily so you won’t hastily make mistakes. Hence, shoppers are admonished to not rush the process at all. Don’t opt for a helicopter that isn’t great for you just because of your impatience. Rather, be calm in your approach and with patience, you will likely get a great deal eventually.

3. If you can engage in getting pre-approved for financing as soon as possible, then it is good for you. You will be afforded more time to shop and get the best deal, and you won’t have to pay too much on getting what you desired.

4. One of the most appropriate things to do in your attempts to get a superb deal for your helicopter is to see to it that you haggle and don’t simply opt for anything thrown at you. It doesn’t matter if you are buying the helicopter from a physical place or online, you can always attempt haggling, and see what the seller can do regarding reducing the price for you. While it is easy for many online suppliers to simply slap a price at their product and they can make you think you can’t beat down the price, you should realize that you can actually still take steps towards this.

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In Conclusion

Helicopter prices in south Africa can range from below R1,000,000 to somewhere around R40,000,000; depending on the exact type and condition. By condition, we do not mean if the helicopter is in good shape, we mean if it is new or used.

Choosing a helicopter is not just about the price; it is also about the use for which the purchase is being made.