L3 Vs Ba

[Ivanaflyalot]

Why is the BA on average going out a few hundred dollars more an hour compared to the L3. The maintenance costs per hour appears to be a little more but with the L3 usually having more snags I would have thought that would even out. Is it the initial purchase price?

[407 Driver]

L3 has more snags ???? Really??

I see them as extremely reliable, and virtually NO unscheduled maintenance ever.

 

My past experience with BA's.....(OK, old BA's) seemed to be broke down every second day.

 

But to answer your intital question, A BA should lift more and fly faster than an L3 .... unless you're high or hot that is.

[rainman]

I think the well taken care of Astars out there are very reliable these days. However, I had a bleed valve go on the BA last year. No time in an L3 but lots in an LR, also a nice machine to fly.

[helihor]

I have had the experience to fly both these machines in similar conditions and would take the Astar over the L3 any day. The BA will lift more, fly faster, and is more comfortable than the L3. As far as operating costs go the Astar is probably higher, and this is most likely why the tariff is higher. I'm not certain if the purchase price of either machine would have much to do with the tarrif rates.

[WOXOF]

Since when does a BA lift more than an L3? Maybe external at sea level, but doing the math for anything above 20C and 2000' or any internal load and the L3 kicks a$$ (legally). And dead nuts reliable.

[ray]

The cost of overhauls on the L3 is higher.

 

Transmission has a 1750 inspection, plus a 3500 o/h.

The BA just has the 3000 o/h.

 

Turbine has a mid-life inspection, plus a 3500 o/h.

Arriel has just a 3000 o/h.

 

FCU, Gov, Fuel pump are o/h individually on the Bell.

All in one for the BA. (Total cost is lower.)

 

Head is 1200hrs or 24 months.

4000 hrs on BA.

 

An L3 should be able to outlift a BA.

2200lb empty with 630hp for the Bell, vs

2700lb empty with 680hp for the BA

[vortex]

The cost of overhauls on the L3 is higher.

 

Transmission has a 1750 inspection, plus a 3500 o/h.

The BA just has the 3000 o/h.

 

Turbine has a mid-life inspection, plus a 3500 o/h.

Arriel has just a 3000 o/h.

 

FCU, Gov, Fuel pump are o/h individually on the Bell.

All in one for the BA. (Total cost is lower.)

 

Head is 1200hrs or 24 months.

4000 hrs on BA.

 

An L3 should be able to outlift a BA.

2200lb empty with 630hp for the Bell, vs

2700lb empty with 680hp for the BA

Just thought I'd add a few corrections for your L3 stats

-The XMSN o/h life is 4500 with inspection at 1500 or 2250 depending on dash # and type of oil used (555 = 2250)

-The turbine o/h life is 2000 with 3 & 4 wheels lifed at 4550

-The head has a 2400 o/h life with a 1200 inspection

-More realistic empty weight for an L3 is 2500 lbs.

I've never heard anyone say a Arriel is cheaper to run than a C30 but I guess it could be but a C30 is pretty reasonable cost wise for 650 ponies.

[skullcap]

ray, risking certain folks claiming am know it all and full of crap, i would like to comment on a few things.

 

The BA tranny is good for 3500 hours if have the long chip detector. Empty weight of L3 is notusually so light, usually around 2450 to 2550 while BA's can be 2700 lb some are quite heavy as much 2850.

 

And although the engine on L3 is able to produce 650 hp the transmission is only able to take 465 hp while the BA engine is able to produce 641 hp the transmission can take 565 hp. Thus the BA can quite easily outlift the L3 but since the L3 has such a huge power reserve it is able to outwork the BA at the higher altitudes.

 

sc

[407 Driver]

Skullcap, You are very correct. :up:

[Fenestron]

I agree with Skullcap, that know it all, full of crap guy........