Which Helicopter is better, Bell or Eurocopter? Especially in the area of cost of maintenance?

Question

1. How do these two products compare in terms of cost of spares?
2. How many hours has products from these two companies have flown in total?
3. Are there any other peculiarities with respect to Bell & Eurocopter?
4. Is it true that Eurocopter tries to monopolise after sales services compared to Bell, who allows qualified MROs to handle their products?

Answer 1

Bikinibottom has a valid point - Depends on what model of helicopter you are asking about.

Now its not fair to compare a Eurocopter Super Puma to a Bell 206 Jet Ranger, so let's compare two similar aircraft - a Eurocopter AS350B3 and a Bell 407. Both of these aircraft have similar capabilities with respect to passenger load (6 plus pilot), hook capacity (around 2400 lbs max), and speed (125-135 knots) - and have been very good sellers around the world for a wide variety of purposes and customers.

1. In general, Bell's spares and components are cheaper than those from Eurocopter. Not everything, but in general.

2. The AS 350 series has flown far more hours than the 407, but the 407 has flown more hours than the B3. However the 206 series has probably flown more hours than all other helicopters combined. On top of that, Bell helicopters (including military versions) have flown more hours than all other companies combined.

3. Back to the B3/407 comparison, there are lots and lots and lots. If you are asking about cost of maintenance, the 407 is going to cost you less to maintain and burn a bit less fuel. But it is probably going to be easier to find parts for the B3, as many of them are in common with the rest of the 350 series - D, B, BA, B1, B2. There are less parts in common between the 407 and 206A/B/L series than the AS350 series. Bell has a much better support capability all over the world except maybe in France.

4. Absolutely. Other than Acro, Eurocopter has not authorized any third party companies to overhaul their transmissions and engines. That means its going to cost you almost twice as much per hour to operate a B3 engine or transmission as a 407 engine or transmission. Not to mention turn around time and parts availability.

In general, both the 407 and B3 are great aircraft; I've flown both. If I was the pilot, I'd take a B3 over a 407 by a small margin; the B3 is a little more comfortable to fly - a little quieter, less vibration, more room, better seats, better visibility, and I sure like being able to store your maps, lunch, and a bottle of water under the seat. Plus you don't have to take the door off for vertical reference work as you can see through the floor window - a great bonus in nasty weather!

In the B3 when you go to the 6 pax configuration ("love seat") it is not very comfortable for the passengers. But then you have to weigh that against two pax sitting backwards in the 407, plus the "broom closet" which makes rear seat visibility so bad.

If you factor in operating costs and reliability from an owner's perspective, I'd take the 407 - again by a small margin.

If you compare the Bell 206 Jet Ranger to the Eurocopter 120 (and I've flown both of those as well), the Bell wins hands down when it comes to a maintenance cost perspective. The 120 is faster, lifts more, has more cargo capacity, and is way more comfortable for both the pilot and the passengers, but your question seems to be focused on maintenance only.

Now Bell and several others are converting the proven Bell 212 airframe to a single engine version. I haven't had the chance to be around these yet, but I believe they are looking at PT6 and RR engines. The maintenance cost on those is probably going to compete with the B3 and give you double the useful load, plus get rid of all the problems we've had with the PT6T and the C-box! That's going to be a sweet machine!

Answer 2

1) Cost of spares: Generally Bell is better. But for some items, Eurocopter have cleverly used off the shelf componets.(ie:switches and things) So in certain instances specific parts can be less than Bell.
However..and it's a big however...Eurocopter do not have the world wide customer support network that Bell does.
Blow a transmission in Al Khafji Saudi Arabia......your gonna be waiting a long long looooong time...but to be fair, they are getting better...
2) not sure the total number flown by each type from each manufacturer, but do know that the Bell 206 series is the most flown type in the world and has qualified as the safest general aviation aircraft in the world and this includes such aircraft as the ubiquitous Cessna 172. Eurocopter has a ways to go to match Bell in that catagory.
3) Not particularily. Both manufactures make a very good product. Bell has a habit of sticking with proven methodolgy whilst Eurocopter has been more 'cutting edge' Both types have their rabid fans. I'm a Bell guy....always will be. I trust them to bring me home even under the harshest conditions. But for certain types of missions, I'll concede that Eurocopter has the edge. It all depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it.
4) I can't really answer that. Being a Bell man...I know that wherever I am, one phone call and I've got someone who's gonna do their damnest to get what I need as soon as possible.
My experience with Eurocopter has been more 'Hurray up and wait...we'll get back to you as soon as possible!' Others may have had completely different experiences with them.
All in all...Pound for Pound...dollar for dollar..I'll go with Bell.

Answer 3

Bell

#4 Answer Yes

Answer 4

The Eurocopter EC 120B and the Eurocopter AS-350 B3 are both awesome aircraft!

Answer 5

It's going to depend highly on which specific helicopter models you're asking about. This is like asking, "which car is better, Ford or Chrysler?". The answer becomes a generalized comparison of companies, which has little to do with the actual costs.

Answer 6

It's sure a lot more fun to fly a euro than a bell in most cases. But, I will always love Bell

Answer 7

#TeamEurocopter :D

Answer 8

BELL...........all the way.

Answer 9

ask ur father