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WHY SAFARI

Certified quality. Experimental price.

A real aircraft engine, a proven drive train and a frame that arrives welded. The Safari gives you the quality of a certified helicopter at the price point of experimental — and a maintenance schedule that leaves the wrenches in the drawer.

Compare the Safari Ways to buy

Six reasons

What sets a Safari apart

The classic simplicity of the Safari 400 or the sleek lines of the new Safari 500? Whichever you choose, your new Safari will be powered by a real aircraft engine and the proven quality of the Safari drive train and controls.

  • A real aircraft engine

    Every Safari is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 or IO-360 with a 2,000-hour TBO. It is a certified aircraft engine, not a conversion.

  • Low operating costs

    The Safari does not require continual repairs and replacements. Nothing significant is due until the 500-hour mark. Enjoy more flight time and less tool time.

  • Performance with a load

    Load up two fluffy guys and full fuel and still fly on a hot day. A 650 lb useful load, 1,000 fpm climb and a 10,000 ft service ceiling.

  • Proven for over 60 years

    Safari owners have counted on their Safari helicopter to take them to their next adventure since the first Helicom flew. Every critical component is serialized and tracked from material certification to assembly.

  • A build you can finish

    Mostly assembly with a little fabrication, about 500 hours for a Safari 400, basic hand tools and no welding — the 4130 chromoly frame arrives fully welded.

  • Earn your rating in your own Safari

    We will work with you to qualify a Certified Flight Instructor near you, and we have several Designated Pilot Examiners authorized to conduct your check ride in a Safari.

MORE FLIGHT TIME, LESS TOOL TIME

Nothing significant until 500 hours

The Safari does not require continual repairs and replacements. Enjoy more flight time and less tool time.

Nothing significant is required until the 500-hour mark — a long time for a helicopter not being used commercially. The suggested replacement schedule for a Safari 400 works out to a parts reserve of $23.86 per flight hour, and all replacements are suggested rather than required, subject to condition inspection.

Behind that is a 180 hp Lycoming with a 2,000-hour TBO and a rotor system whose critical components are individually serialized and tracked through material certification, dimensional inspection and assembly verification.

Building a Safari
Safari 400 helicopter flying low over turquoise water

OPERATING COSTS

What a Safari costs to fly

The Safari does not require continual repairs and replacements. Nothing significant is due until the 500-hour mark, and the suggested parts reserve works out to $23.86 per flight hour. Add fuel at 9 gallons an hour and you have the number.

Suggested replacement schedule, Safari 400, 2016 and older
Interval Parts cost
100-hr interval$592.50
500-hr interval$1,457.14
1,000-hr interval$17,066.95
Total over the schedule$23,856.59

1 Schedule figures apply to the Safari 400, 2016 and older. The published all-in figure of $92.21 per hour assumes a fuel price the factory did not state, so the calculator lets you set your own.

$23.86 PER FLIGHT HOUR

Suggested parts reserve

Dry, before fuel. Safari 400, 2016 and older

Run the numbers

Safari 400 burns about 9 gal/hr of avgas 100LL.

Fuel, per hour
$58.50
Parts reserve, per hour
$23.86
Parts reserve plus fuel, per flight hour
$82.36

Estimated dry cost. Does not include oil, engine overhaul reserve, insurance or labor.

  • Note 1: Safari 400 (2016 and older) suggested replacement schedule as published by Safari Helicopter. Fuel price, oil, engine overhaul reserve, insurance and labor are not included.

Safety

The Safari is a safe and dependable kit helicopter when operated with good judgment and piloting skill.

Safari Helicopter

Every critical component is serialized and tracked from material certification to assembly, and the factory works with you to qualify an instructor and an examiner near you. Read about training or see the owner notices.

Your Safari

Are you ready to fly your custom personal helicopter?

The classic simplicity of the Safari 400 or the sleek lines of the new Safari 500? Whichever you choose, your new Safari will be powered by a real aircraft engine and the proven quality of the Safari drive train and controls.

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Call 1-850-482-4141