The 5 Cheapest Helicopters You Can Buy!

[Gizmo j]

 

[nakedfrog]

I can think of much cheaper ways to die in a flaming wreck of crushed metal, glass, and plastic.

 

[Charmonium]

I want to get motorized sail plane. $150k

But you don't need a tow and when not if you f-up, you've got a backup plan.

If you do something stupid and the engine won't start, then you launch your emergency parachute and float gently to your death.

 

[sdifox]

The last thing you want is a cheap complicated machine.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The last thing you want is a cheap complicated machine.

Imagine if Nvidia or AMD made Helicopters...

 

[IronWing]

Never once when I was stepping into a helicopter did I think, “I hope they got a good deal on this aircraft.”

 

[Captante]

 

[Mai72]

17,500ft on a paramotor.

 

[Gizmo j]

What is that?

 

[pmv]

Never once when I was stepping into a helicopter did I think, “I hope they got a good deal on this aircraft.”

Reminiscent of the (alleged) John Glenn quote

‘I felt exactly how you would feel if you were getting ready to launch and knew you were sitting on top of 2 million parts — all built by the lowest bidder on a government contract.’

— Attributed to John Glenn

 

[Captante]

What is that?

 

[zinfamous]

what you need to do OP is start 3D printing cheap affordable helicopters for everyone!

 

[Charmonium]

@zinfamous - most consumer grade printers seem to use different types of plastic. But ones that print in metal vary wildly in price. You can get some that print in stainless for between 1500 and 10k see link.

But I have no idea what kind of tolerances, toughness and durability you can expect from what you print.

I guess if you're doing a complete ground up build, you might be able to save some money on less performance critical parts but I'm not sure I'd take any of the makers at their word. I mean if you're trying to fly to work and you see metal debris flying off your helo. who ya gonna call as you rapidly lose altitude.

 

[Captante]

I mean if you're trying to fly to work and you see metal debris flying off your helo. who ya gonna call as you rapidly lose altitude.

A desperate appeal to one's maker seems somehow appropriate!

 

[Kaido]

I can think of much cheaper ways to die in a flaming wreck of crushed metal, glass, and plastic.

"Cheap" and "helicopters" sort of sounds like "cheap" and "toilet paper". I don't need store-brand one-ply in my life lol.

 

[Kaido]

@zinfamous - most consumer grade printers seem to use different types of plastic. But ones that print in metal vary wildly in price. You can get some that print in stainless for between 1500 and 10k see link.

But I have no idea what kind of tolerances, toughness and durability you can expect from what you print.

I guess if you're doing a complete ground up build, you might be able to save some money on less performance critical parts but I'm not sure I'd take any of the makers at their word. I mean if you're trying to fly to work and you see metal debris flying off your helo. who ya gonna call as you rapidly lose altitude.

It's getting cheaper! The first-run home add-on kit for metal printing was $700:

Homepage

Discover UltiMaker's 3D printing solutions: Desktop 3D printers, software, and materials for streamlined production and unlimited innovation.

ultimaker.com

 

[Red Squirrel]

Pre 2020 this one would probably be pretty cheap!