Yes... this real helicopter costs about the same as a top of the line Gyro

Can I buy my CH-7B ready to Fly?: 

Why is the CH7-B sold as a 51% quick build kit?:  

To keep ownership costs down to a reasonable level.

What is the Experimental category?:

In Australia - a free country - it is possible to sit in the sun, drink a few beers, dream up a new fangled flying machine of a design never seen before, build it and fly it.

To cater for this type of machine, our forward thinking Civil Aviation Regulator (CASA) enabled the Experimental category which is basically a set of rules and guidance to enable aviation to develop through trialing new and/or unique ideas.

Until recently the operation of helicopters in the amateur built category Australia was forbidden. The reasons for this prohibition were the mechanical complexity of the helicopter. The need for precision engineering of many components meant that those components was not amenable to amateur construction.

Several attempts were made to reverse this policy, but none addressed the real concerns of CASA engineers regarding the integrity of critically stressed components.

CASA, through the Stewardship of Keith Engelsman, their Chief Helicopter Test Pilot, finally agreed to allowing kit helicopters in Australia after a submission from a company, in which I was a shareholder, suggesting that there was scope for amateur construction of helicopters provided that the components requiring precise tolerances were supplied as part of a factory manufactured kit and the intent of a basic certification standard was applied.

Why is my CH-7B in the Experimental category? - Part one:

There is no other category in the CASA system to place an owner built machine. E.g. if one of the major manufacturing companies such as Bell made the Jetranger available as an owner built kit to keep costs down, even though it has been manufactured to a high quality standard, it would only fit in the CASA Experimental category as the manufacturer did not build and certify the final flying machine.

This is exactly the same scenario for the Cicaré CH-7B. 

However it is important to remember a few other points how the CH-7B can benefit in the category. First, this is not a gyroplane but a real helicopter. This means it can usually take off vertically, hover and do all those other things gyros cannot.

Next, it is an owner (amateur) built aircraft, not an ultralight and therefore qualifies for a VH registration. This means it can operate with the same privileges as an amateur built aeroplane including flying in control zones. Because of safety implications to pilot and passengers when helicopters are flown by people without training, the privilege of being able to fly into controlled areas and flying near passenger carrying jets etc means that CASA, quite reasonably, require you to have a valid Private Pilot license.

All this really means is that the Ch-7B is not a toy and flight rules in Australia require a license gained as a result of training.

Why is my CH-7B in the Experimental category? - Part two:

The original CASA intent for a 51% work input by the owner was that the owner, through building, assembling, aligning, painting, fitting etc, is actually manufacturing the helicopter in legal terms and would gain an intimate knowledge of their machine so that they could maintain it to a high standard. If the original Owner sells their helicopter, ongoing maintenance must be carried out by qualified maintenance personnel.

Can I build my CH-7B kit at home?

Can I get assistance for my CH-7B quick build kit? - Part one - Caboolture:

Build your kit and train with us at Airwork Caboolture.

Can I get assistance for my CH-7B quick build kit? - Part two - At home:

Family, mates and friends can all help you. if you need that extra bit of assistance, we recommend that you join the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) to access their widespread national list of contacts info on their web site to find out members nearest to you who may be able to assist. www.saaa.com.au

Can I fly my CH-7B into controlled airspace?:

Why not!! - once past the first few hours on the designated local area, if appropriate radios/transponders are fitted, the pilot is appropriately licensed and the helicopter is registered and airworthy, you should be all OK. Click and read this CASA doc: Certificates

Do I need a helicopter pilot license to fly my CH-7B?:

Technically speaking you need a private helicopter Pilot license as per CASA requirements. This means pilot training and also having your helicopter theory completed by the time you sit your flight test with us.

Can I train in my CH-7B to reduce training costs?:

The CASA rules allow for 20 hours training in another type of helicopter than which is used for the first ab-initio training. As it is a single seat helicopter, it is possible that you can build solo time up in your own CH-7B.. but... and this is usually the sticky part.. it completely depends on your Instructor's evaluation of your skill levels at the time so think No and take it as a bonus if it works out.

In normal circumstances most learners would not transit to a second type until 35/40 hours of training have occurred - which means the total flight time for a private license would be 35/40 hours plus 20 hours for the CH-7B plus a couple of hours to get familiar with the original training machine before the flight test.

Why do you recommend pilot training in the Bell 47G-5?:

Its easy: we are thinking of you our customer and want to value add more safety and more value for your hard earned $.

Reason: We anticipate that most builders in Oz and NZ will be first time helicopter pilots who will only do training to a Private Helicopter Standard and who only have to have their theory exams passed by the time they sit the Private license test. Many will assemble their CH-7B under our watchful eye at Caboolture in between helicopter flying lessons so that they have the best possible learning environment about safely maintaining their helicopter as well as mentoring and help from highly experienced instructors.       

With all this in mind : 

1)- We can pack more training under less pressure into the short time for a private license in a B47 than in an R22 as most students are stuck on the R22 "twenty hours dual before solo" rule for insurance and some also often find the R22 scittery and "heart in the mouth" for a few solo hours. 

2)- The central seat in the Ch-7B means that the machine is very similar to the B47G lateral control movements (small) on lift off and landing  against the R22 large cyclic displacement. So… transition to the CH-7B will be safer for low hour pilots

3)- The CH-7B is as stable in the hover as the B47 so there is less likelihood of over controlling the CH-7B during first flights.

4)- Because some of these guys will look after their own machine and be a long way from civilisation, we want to get them into the habit/discipline of pre-flighting a machine properly (instead of a quick walk around) including such things as dipping of fuel tanks etc.

5)- Some of the bush guys will be big and find the R22 constricting whereas they will fit OK the CH-7B and Bell 47G.

Why do I need to order my machine in advance?:

The terms of purchase and delivery time frame, after receiving your 50% deposit, are much the same, and in some cases better, as any other helicopter manufacturer. 

With a long and successful helicopter manufacturing business behind them, the Cicaré family only want to sell machines which have gone through their quality process – they understand the benefits of but aren’t too interested in mass production for the sake of it.

This is why they only produce one kit every three weeks which, due to global demand, has meant a wait of up to four months for a kit from the time an order is placed.

We (the factory and myself) have discussed this many times and I agree with the principle, however the intent is to have a maximum wait of three months after February next year as better production efficiencies are found.

We think of it this way: we would rather consistently produce 50 quality machines a year, every year, rather than saturate the market.

This keeps the resale and selling value up as well as makes sure the product reliability is consistent.

Rotor Research is working towards always having at least one CH-7B completed and crated for immediate transport from Saladillo should a customer have an urgent need for a kit.

Most kit helicopters have little or no warranty - What warranty does the CH-7B manufacturer provide?:

 The Cicaré Company puts their money where their mouth is. Your purchase agreement includes written statements so that you too can have confidence that your CH-7B comes from a long established and successful company whose reputation has been built on supporting their global customers with excellent service by providing a 100 hour warranty.

How do the operating costs compare to the R22?:

o   Operating costs are posted on the main CH-7B page on this site. These are as per the Cicaré’ factory estimates but changed to $A and could, like any estimate, change particularly with the rise in the $A exchange rate. The Cicaré CH-7B cost for fuel is based on 18 litres per hour for the Rotax and 32 litres per hour for the R22. You can work this one out for your local area to be more accurate.

o   The R22 now has a 2,200 hour overhaul life for all components which does not include the 10 year life overhaul if the 2200 hrs is not achieved. However, most mustering  R22’s don’t have this issue as they do their time in approx 3 years.

o   The CH-7B does not have a 2,000 hour life on all components, but it does have on infinite on condition life for the main and tail rotor blades.

o   Although the CH-7B is a kit built helicopter which fits in the CASA experimental category with the builder legally the manufacturer – the Cicaré factory does have a quite reasonable limited warranty on the parts/components it produces

o   The ultra reliable 4 cylinder, 4 stroke Rotax 912 ULS engine can be overhauled or replaced much cheaper than the Lycoming O-320. Ask any bush Gyro operator - they think that the 912 ULS is the bees knees. The Rotax 912 engine has a 2000 hr TBO and any warranty claims are processed by the Australian Distributor - Bert Flood Imports.

o   Currently, a new CH-7B kit is very much cheaper than the R22 2200 hour overhaul kit – with engines being extra on both machines.

o   CH-7B reliability? – Do your home work and search the internet for info about its predecessors the CH-6 and CH-7Angel. Except for occasional issues with the two cylinder 65 HP two stroke Rotax 582, those early machines just keep on trucking. Follow the link on our home page for the story about the guy who flew a 10 year old Angel from France to Oshkosh over the Arctic this year. You may need to Google search about his return trip when he ended up out of fuel on Russia and in trouble!

o   You may still come up against some mischievous naysayers in the industry who pour cold water on any new or improved product. I can recall some pilots who now fly in R22s who were running off at the mouth that they would never fly in one ........................ yet they do now!! Lets face it - everyone is entitled to their opinion, however an opinion based on fact would need to include the visual experience of seeing a CH-7B with their own eyes and - more importantly - have they actually flown one as a licenced pilot!! Our company would be interested to know about any person making unfounded statements about this product.