New business: helicopters for rich people
One very popular Ukrainian politician had invented a method of how government officials can rid of traffic jams. Premier Viktor Yanukovich is going to propose his colleagues to forget car seats and starting using helicopters. The same interest to flying was also demonstrated by the head of Emergency control ministry Nestor Shufrich during summer. However, his interest has other roots. It may be explained by the often summer fires caused by the drought. The rare person, who had finished courses of pilotage and now actively uses helicopter is famous Ukrainian racer and ex-minister of transport Eugeniy Chervonenko. The governor could be noticed flying in the red French helicopter of “Gazelle” brand. He says: “Sometimes I fly to Kiyiv from Zaporiggya using a helicopter. This takes only two hours and a half. Additional time is occupied by the trip to an airport and registration procedures.”
A private aviation – is something completely new for Ukrainians. First helicopters were bought only few years before as an alternative to airplanes. Helicopters are more expensive, but easier in use. These flying machines can board not only on an aerodrome, but also on the office roof or simply the lawn. That is why helicopter romance has finally attracted our Ukrainian businessmen. “Helicopters are usually bought for work goals”, - says the director of club “Autopilot” Andrew Omelchuk. According to him, 25 helicopters were delivered to Ukraine during the last year. Aviation is especially popular in Dnipropetrovsk. During 2006 eight French helicopters “Gazelle SA341” and six American “Robinson R44” were bought.
It is not very easy to buy helicopter in Ukraine. The machines are usually imported from abroad. Ukraine doesn’t produce helicopters, apart from one model “AK-1”. This model can be referred to “light” class and costs around 150 thousand dollars. The most moderate helicopter is “Robinson”. It costs 250 thousand dollars. But it needs special fuel, which can’t be bought in Ukraine. That’s why “Eurocopters” are highly demanded instead (such technique cost 1,5 – 2 million dollars). Ukrainian helicopter market stays in shadow. There are no official saloons, representative offices or official dialers. However, the amenity of using helicopter is obvious: the high speed, no problems with traffic jams, very small ground for landing. That is why helicopters are usually chosen by people, who demand practicality and functionality and have money of course. Such people are real experts of comfort. Today helicopters are actively used in other world as aero taxies and are also helpful during various excursions. It can be forecasted that the demand for helicopters will rise in the future, taking into account the problem of numerous jams in all main cities.
Here are some facts that will be interesting to helicopter amateurs:
· the registration takes place in State avian service of Ukraine and lasts 1-2 months
· it is permitted to fly everywhere, except of above electro stations, strategic and military facilities
· value added tax is 20%
· the theory costs 1000$ per hour and practice – 300$ per hour