The Helicopter Tourism & Sightseeing Business | Low Altitude Economy
Light Helicopters in the Low-Altitude Economy
Light helicopters like the Bell 505 play an important role in the fast-growing low-altitude economy—an airspace zone below 1,000 meters now being reshaped by aerial tourism, charter services, and new urban air mobility technologies. This video takes you aboard the Bell 505, a modern replacement for the iconic JetRanger, highlighting its low-vibration design, panoramic visibility, and smooth performance—qualities that make it ideal for sightseeing, VIP transport, and light utility operations.
Is Helicopter Tourism a Profitable Business?
With acquisition costs of around $1.6 million and annual operating expenses close to $1.3 million, operators of the Bell 505 are seeing revenues of up to $2.2 million per year—making breakeven possible in just two years. As drones and eVTOLs compete for attention, this video explains why light helicopters still deliver real commercial value and flexibility. Whether you’re exploring aviation investments or curious about how legacy aircraft are adapting in the era of UAVs, this is your quick guide to the helicopter side of the low-altitude economy.
Check out a quick short below on the low altitude economy: