Like most passenger aircraft, helicopters vary in size, range and functionality. This means that whether you're flying solo, taking your executive team to a meeting at another branch, or flying family and friends to a luxury getaway, there's a luxury helicopter that's designed to suit your needs and take you to your destination. in luxury and comfort. Let's take a look at some of the most popular and luxurious helicopter charters available today.
Bell 222
A white and red Bell 222 helicopter parked at the airport.
The Bell 222 was the first lightweight twin-turbine helicopter developed in the United States and is a very popular option for corporate travel. The design features two stainless steel and fiberglass rotor blades and two Lycoming/Honeywell LTS101-650 turboshaft engines. These engines allow the helicopter to reach cruising speeds of up to 149 mph and travel distances of up to 438 miles.
One of the most beautiful civil helicopters ever designed, with a shark-like silhouette and stunning interior, the Bell 222 is a luxury helicopter that can accommodate two pilots and five to six passengers. If this rotorcraft looks familiar, it may be because a modified version of the 222 appeared in the TV series Airwolf, where it had a starring role.
Bell 206B Jet Ranger
Bell 206 helicopter in flight
is a representative of the family of two-blade single- and twin-engine helicopters with the Jet Ranger model designed for one pilot and a maximum of four passengers. This helicopter was originally developed for the US military as the Bell YOH-4, but was ultimately not used for its intended purpose. Then the glider was reconstructed and began to be successfully sold commercially as the Jet Ranger
This model has a single Rolls Royce 250-C20J engine, comes with luxurious leather interiors and can travel up to 374 nautical miles at an average speed of about 134 mph. Jet Ranger also managed to gain mass popularity and fame, appearing in two James Bond films, as well as Terminator 2.
AH-64 Apache
The AH-64 Apache, named after the Indian tribe, is the pride of the US Air Force. It has been the primary attack helicopter of the American Army since the mid-80s, and as of 2022 it is recognized as the most common military aircraft.
After the closure of the AH-56A Cheyenne production project in 1972, the US authorities announced a competition, during which any design bureau could propose their own scheme for the development and creation of a new helicopter with a large payload and excellent maneuverability. In the end, two companies won – Bell and Hughes Helicopters. They were granted a patent for joint production of the AH-64 Apache.
The aircraft was presented late - in 1981. The first models were sent to the US National Guard and successfully passed tests. Serial production of "Apache" began in 1989 and ended 5 years later. During this time, 827 helicopters were produced, some of which remained on the balance sheet of the American Air Force, while others were exported to Israel, the Netherlands and Japan.
Later, the designers revised the Apache design, changed it slightly and updated the electronics. Modern AH-64s have become more durable, easier to control and lift not 5,000 tons, like the first models, but 7 thousand tons.
They are still produced to this day and purchased by different countries. They are valued not only for their carrying capacity, but also for their combat survivability, which is ensured by the dense metal lining of the fuselage.
Augusta Westland 109 Power Grand
White and blue AW109 Power Grand helicopter on grass
The AW109 Grand is a versatile, multi-role, extended-cabin, rotor-powered aircraft capable of carrying two pilots and up to seven passengers over a range of 589 miles. It is powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW207C turboshaft engines, allowing the helicopter to boast speeds of up to 285 mph.
The bright and quiet interior offers passengers special comfort and luxury, as well as expanded luggage compartments so you can carry an extra set of golf clubs, for example. If the elegant interiors of this model are not enough, you can always upgrade to the Versace model, the result of a design collaboration between two Italian companies to create a super-luxury helicopter.
And those who say that mechanical engineering and fashion design cannot exist together have never seen this flying palace in the sky!
Bell AH-1 Super Cobra
An American-made helicopter based on the single-engine AN-1 Cobra model. Unlike its predecessor, the Bell AH-1 Super Cobra is equipped with two engines and an enlarged cargo compartment, allowing it to lift to greater heights and transport up to 6 tons at tremendous speed.
The development of the aircraft was entrusted to the Bell aviation company in the early 80s. At that time, the American Navy was experiencing an acute shortage of light helicopters with a large payload. The US Congress allocated money for the project and after a couple of years the authorities were able to see a new model, which later began to be mass-produced and was transferred to the balance of the American Navy.
The helicopter is still produced, but now it is mainly resold abroad. Large quantities of Bell AH-1 Super Cobra went to Taiwan, Turkey, and China. In total, since 1983, Bell has created 1,270 units. helicopters of this model. The average cost of one is 10 million dollars.
Augusta Westland 139
The Augusta Westland AW139 private helicopter takes off
and is one of the best helicopters in the intermediate class in terms of capabilities, performance, cabin space and passenger comfort. Originally designed in collaboration with Bell as the Augusta Bell AB139, Bell eventually sold the rights to the design to Augusta Westland.
This mid-size helicopter may not seem as "average" compared to others in its class, as it is capable of flying much further (up to 776 miles), and two powerful FADEC-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C turboshaft engines allow it to reach a cruising speed of 190 miles at one o'clock.
It also has the largest passenger cabin in its class and can carry up to 10 passengers in unparalleled comfort, with ample storage space available outside and inside the aircraft, making it the ideal choice for virtually all personal and business travellers' needs.
Mi-6
Soviet multi-purpose aircraft, originally intended to transport Luna missile systems to the front line. The helicopters existing at that time could not cope with this; they did not have enough carrying capacity. Then the USSR authorities ordered from the Design Bureau named after. M. L. Mil to develop a new, durable and powerful device that can easily transport missile systems weighing up to 12 tons over long distances.
Soviet engineers and designers coped with this task, and in 1954 the government approved the design of the new helicopter. Over the next 6 years, several versions of the Mi-6 were created - transport, landing, fire, ambulance. They were adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1963 and ceased to be used in 2004. Most of the Mi-6 was disposed of, some were transferred to the national economy, the rest went to aviation museums throughout Russia.
The first helicopter was developed by Igor Sikorsky, founder of the American design bureau Sikorsky. They say that he was guided by sketches of a flying machine drawn by Leonardo da Vinci.
In the future, after the official presentation of the Mi-6 in 1963, the following helicopters were created on its basis:
- Anti-submarine Mi-6m;
- Refueling Mi-5ATZ;
- Creator of radio interference to Mi-6PP reconnaissance systems;
- Mi-6VKP air command post;
- Mi-6RVK missile and helicopter complex.
The classic Mi-6 became the real pride of the USSR. Afterwards, it was recognized as one of the most powerful and large helicopters in Russia, despite the fact that other improved aircraft were released after it, for example, the Mi-10 and Mi-24.
Eurocopter 120 Colibri
Parked black Eurocopter 120 Colibri
Known as the "French hummingbird", the EC120 Colibri is a five-seat single-engine helicopter. It received this name as a result of its almost silent operation, as well as because of its elegant size and special maneuverability. This bird of the sky is powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine and achieves a cruising speed of up to 137 mph with a range of up to 441 miles.
The EC120 can also be painted green if you wish, and the aircraft's special design aims to reduce pollutant emissions and increase fuel efficiency in line with the Green Rotorcraft European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative, which was launched in 2011.
The EC120 also features a wide, ergonomic cabin with expansive outward visibility so your eyes can go almost anywhere. The helicopter can accommodate up to four passengers and one pilot. The cabin can also be easily modified to suit your different requirements.
TOP 3 most powerful combat helicopters in the world
Combat or attack helicopters are designed to destroy ground targets, including tanks, and air targets, including helicopters. They operate independently or accompany transport or landing helicopters.
Hughes AH-64 Apache
The Latin letters “AH” in the model name mean Attack Helicopter - attack helicopter.
For the first time, the prototype of the device, which was later named Hughes AH-64 Apache, was shown by Hughes helicopters in 1975. A year later, the United States Department of Defense placed an official development order with Hughes. Serial production of the vehicle was approved by the United States Department of Defense in 1982. The first devices entered service with the troops in 1986 from a plant in the Arizona city of Mesa.
During the life of the AH-64, the Hughes company was sold twice:
- In 1984 it was bought by MacDonald-Douglas;
- In 1997 - Boeing.
Most experts are used to calling this model the Hughes AH-64.
The AH-64 is a development of Bell's first attack helicopter, the AH-1 Cobra, which played an important role in Vietnam. But it differs quite seriously from it. The Cobra was designed primarily to fight Vietnamese guerrillas, while the Apache was designed primarily to fight Soviet tanks. The Apache is close to the Cobra in terms of characteristics: size and power, but carries significantly more weapons and electronics.
The eight-ton machine with a propeller with a diameter of 14.6 meters provides for the seating of two pilots in a tandem pattern: the first behind the second. At the same time, to ensure proper visibility, the first pilot sits 40 cm higher than the second. The Apache flies at a speed of 270 km/h over a distance of up to 690 km. To carry out combat missions, it is not only equipped with a 30 mm cannon and suspension mounts for mounting guided or unguided missiles, but it also carries an all-weather weapon system AAWWS (Longbow) with millimeter wave radar.
Hughes, aka MacDonald-Douglas. Aka Boeing AH-64 Apache. The world's best-selling attack helicopter
Today, the AH-64 Apache is the most common attack helicopter model in the world. More than 2,000 pieces were produced.
CAIC WZ-10
CAIC WZ-10 is a Chinese attack helicopter. It’s not a bad model, it’s not for nothing that the legendary Russian Kamov Design Bureau took part in its development. The Kamovites developed a preliminary design commissioned by the People's Republic of China. Then the Chinese acted on their own. And they pierced themselves in typical Chinese style. An unprecedented scandal broke out. The fact is that for many years it supplied engines for Chinese civilian helicopters. The Chinese also, as if nothing had happened, installed a Pratt & Whitney engine on the military WZ-10. They just modernized it a little: they uploaded a new version of the software. On this basis, the Chinese decided that Pratt did not need to seek export permission from the US government. But in court it was established that China hid that the engine was intended for an attack helicopter. CIAC passed off the program as a civilian project. Pratt received a multi-million dollar fine and was forced to stop supplying engines to China. Now the WZ-10 is equipped with a less powerful Chinese-made engine.
The People's Liberation Army of China has over 100 CAIC WZ-10 units in service.
Kamov KA-52 "Alligator"
The development and production of the KA-52 attack helicopter is a direct consequence of the original combat concept of its predecessor, the KA-50 “Black Shark” attack helicopter, which entered service in 1995. The fact is that the KA-50 is a single-seat vehicle. There is no crew member to search for targets and aim weapons. The concept of using the Ka-50 was very original: it was assumed that the KA-50 pilot received target designation from a special reconnaissance helicopter.
Initially they wanted to use the KA-60 Killer Whale helicopter, but in the heady nineties its development was practically stopped. Kamovites revised the concept and entrusted target designation to the two-seat KA-52, which was supposed to simultaneously perform two roles:
- command vehicle;
- independent attack helicopter.
This is how the KA-52 Alligator appeared. The prototype took off in 1997, regular operation began in 2008.
Unlike Chinese and American attack helicopters, our KA-52 crew members sit side by side. Each of them can both control the flight and use weapons. The outline of the Black Shark with a “two-story” column of rotors, characteristic of Kamov’s helicopters, has been preserved in the Alligator: starting from the 18th frame, the hulls of the models are identical.
Ka-52 developed by Kamov Design Bureau. Two coaxial propellers provide maximum maneuverability
Such a two-story column indicates that the helicopter is built according to a “coaxial” design, when two propellers rotate on the same axis, but in different directions. This eliminates the need for a vertical tail rotor. This design distinguishes the Ka-52 from all other models in this review. It has its advantages and disadvantages. Experts note that the coaxial design makes it easier to control the helicopter and improves its maneuverability. But this makes the car more complex and expensive.
Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil AStar
AS350 helicopter interior with two white leather seats
The AS350 Ecureuil was originally developed in France by Aerospatiale and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), and is now sold in North America as the AStar. This helicopter is a single-engine multi-role helicopter equipped with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine. It can reach a cruising speed of 160 mph and a range of 416 miles. The engine drives a three-blade main rotor equipped with a Starflex rotor head and is known for its impressive performance at high altitudes.
This single-pilot helicopter is widely popular, primarily for its multiple cabin configurations, where the number of passengers flying in absolute comfort can range from four to six people. The new Star variants feature a stylish interior that is designed specifically to enhance passenger comfort and luxury.
McDonnell Douglas MD 900
MD900 helicopter on the runway in wet weather conditions with trees in the background
MD900 twin-engine light utility helicopter. Its main feature is that it is the first helicopter in history that was designed completely from scratch using CAD (Computer Aided Design) tools. Originally called the MDX, this model is the first of the McDonnell Douglas helicopters to use the NOTAR (no tail rotor) design. Twin Pratt and Whitney Canada PW207E turboshaft engines provide a cruising speed of up to 152 mph, and the MD 900 can travel up to 189 miles.
The MD 900 can carry four to six passengers, depending on the chosen cabin configuration, as well as one pilot. This helicopter also features a five-bladed rotor with composite blades, while the tail and fuselage are constructed from carbon fiber.
The combination of modern technology, its silent operation and low maintenance costs make the aircraft a serious competitor in the world of private helicopters.
Mi-26
A well-known Soviet, and later Russian, helicopter used by the state for various purposes. It is on the balance sheet of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Air Force and the national economy. Today the Mi-26 is the single largest helicopter that is mass-produced. The creation of the aircraft is carried out by the Rostvertol and Russian Helicopters enterprises.
The model is built using a single-propeller design and is equipped with two engines with a power of 11,400 l/s. The fuselage is made of solid metal sheets and is divided into four parts - mechanical, crew, passenger and cargo compartment. The carrying capacity of the Mi-26 is 20 tons.
Mikhail Mil, designer of the Mi-26, created two versions of the helicopter. The first is intended for military purposes and makes it possible to simultaneously transport more than 80 paratroopers with full uniform and 60 wounded along with stretchers. The second version is more suitable for civilian purposes and is currently used only for transporting goods, such as parcels or medical supplies. The military version of the model has found application in search and rescue operations and vehicle evacuation.
Mi-26 is the largest helicopter currently produced. Its design inspired many aircraft factories. For example, the American company Sikorsky Aircraft produces similar helicopters, but with a lower payload. The most popular of them are the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion and the Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe. The latter can lift weights up to 19 tons.
Robinson R22
Robinson R22 helicopter parked on the beach
The Robinson R22 is a two-seat, single-engine light utility helicopter, and although it only has room for two passengers, this helicopter is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and luxurious flight. Inside, there are leather seats, a cabin heater and heater, and a spacious cockpit.
On the outside, the R22 is powered by a horizontally mounted Lycoming O-320 engine, which allows for a cruising speed of up to 109 mph and a range of up to 285 miles.
Although the helicopter is small in size, the R22 has proven to be a reliable, workhorse helicopter that delivers exceptional performance in a variety of applications. The aircraft is equipped with a two-blade main rotor and a two-blade tail rotor system. The regular production variant has skid landing gear, while the mariner version (which is no longer produced) provides floats, but wheeled landing gear is not available. Which turns out to be a significant advantage if you want to be able to land and take off from any location you like, as the R22 can take off and land directly on a trailer that can be attached to your car or camper.
Boeing CH-47 Chinook
The CH-47 Chinook is one of the powerful and heavy helicopters used to transport military, ammunition and other cargo. Developed by Vertol Aircraft to replace the impractical CH-46 Sea Knight, which was then in service with the US Army.
The first Boeing CH-47 Chinook models were tested in 1962. After successful testing, they began to be produced en masse. Today the helicopter is popular not only in America, but also far beyond its borders. The rights to produce the aircraft were acquired by aircraft design bureaus in Italy and Japan.
In addition to the classic version of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Vertol Aircraft has released several modifications:
- Armored CH-47A;
- CH-47D;
- Model 234UT;
- S/MN-47E;
- CH-47F;
- Model 234UT;
- CH-47SD.
Most of them are intended for military purposes, but there are also those that are created specifically for civilian use. They transport passengers, perform ambulance functions, and deliver postal cargo. The updated models for the US Army have improved fuselage skin, additional weapon mounts, new blades and engines. Their carrying capacity has not changed much. The basic Boeing CH-47 Chinook lifts 22 tons, while the modified model lifts a couple of tons more.
Not only real aircraft can boast of their size, but also radio-controlled toys. The most famous of them is the TianSheng Airbus A320. This large radio-controlled plane was created by Chinese developers for children from 6 years old.
Sikorsky S-76
Close-up of a white Sikorsky S-76 helicopter about to take off.
The Sikorsky S-76 is the perfect combination of modern technology, style and comfort. Powered by twin Pratt and Whitney PW210S turboshaft engines, the helicopter is capable of cruising speeds of up to 179 mph and ranges of up to 507 miles. The S-76 has a standard four-blade rotor configuration, a fully articulated main rotor and a four-blade anti-torque tail rotor, and retractable wheeled landing gear.
The interior of the helicopter is almost completely soundproof, meaning headsets are not required during travel, and the large cabin can accommodate up to six passengers. More space can be obtained depending on the design you choose. With luxurious leather seats and impeccable design, the S-76 offers a truly luxurious and comfortable flight experience.
Sikorsky S-92
A black Sikorsky S-92 helicopter prepares to take off.
If you are traveling with a group of up to 19 people, you might mistakenly think that a private helicopter is not suitable for such a purpose. But the Sikorsky S-92 will destroy your stereotypes. Powered by two GE CT7-8A turboshaft engines and a four-blade composite rotor with extended blades, the helicopter is capable of cruising speeds of up to 173 mph and ranges of up to 620 miles. It features an active vibration control system that works to improve comfort and reduce cabin noise.
The S-92 is available in a variety of versions and designs designed to suit your personalized needs. For those who want to fly in a true palace of the air, the S-92's interior options are almost limitless and offer the absolute pinnacle of luxury and style. Some custom interior designs include options such as granite flooring, custom woodwork and crocodile leather with luxury hardware such as satin gold trim on the seat belt buckles. There are also layout options with fewer spaces that allow for installations such as a kitchen or bar.
Charter flight with ACS today
A young, fashionable couple meets the pilot of a white private helicopter.
A helicopter charter is generally more affordable than chartering a private jet, and can be the solution to a wide range of aviation needs. Whether you need to attend multiple meetings in different cities in one day or want to take a helicopter tour to enjoy a bird's eye view, we can help plan your trip, provide you with recommendations and book the perfect luxury private helicopter for you. Contact our office , flight today.
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