Do the math: helicopter sales vs. lease Once you purchase your personal helicopter, you still have to pay to operate it. Take into account tax advantages or disadvantages as well as whether or not the cost of owning and operating a helicopter is worth the time it saves. Calculate the real costs of owning and operating one.

I recommend:  The Helicopter History Site provides good details about the true costs of owning a personal helicopter. HeliValue$, is considered the "Blue Book" for personal helicopters.

Learn all you can about personal helicopter features and prices, and start shopping on the Internet From light to heavy, there is a variety of personal helicopters and price ranges choose from. Carefully determine the features you really need by familiarizing yourself with different models, and develop a shopping list with specific criteria for your situation.

I recommend:  Air Crew Systems offers a range of options for buying a helicopter. You can even check out helicopters on eBay. Find different manufacturers at Controller.com.

Beat high helicopter prices with fractional ownership Pioneered in the corporate jet market, fractional ownership entitles you to fly a certain number of hours, sharing with other owners.

I recommend:  Contact Sikorsky Shares or HeliFlite for fractional helicopter sales.

Shop for used helicopters for sale After analyzing the purchase vs. leasing option and which features and capacities you need, narrow your search to a specific helicopter. There are websites that provide searches by specific criteria. Find the specific model helicopter that suits your needs.

I recommend:  Helicopter Sales.Com is a clearinghouse for purchasing all types of helicopters, and Ekhard Helicopter Sales specializes in used helicopter sales.

Auctions of seized helicopters can be a good source for used personal helicopters The government sells seized assets through helicopter auctions. But be sure you are dealing with a reputable, reliable helicopter sales company or government agency.

I recommend: 
The Government auctions blog is a good place to keep an eye open for a good deal on a personal helicopter. Some websites may require you to register before they will show you their list of seized helicopters for sale. This E-Zine article provides a comprehensive look at purchasing personal helicopters through auctions and offers good advice.