Turbine Helicopter Finance
Finance for turbine helicopters - all manufacturers and configurations. From single-turbine light helicopters to heavy twin-engine commercial aircraft. Airbus, Bell, Sikorsky, Leonardo, and MD Helicopters financed by specialist aviation lenders.
The right structure for your aviation requirements
Single-Turbine Helicopter Finance
Airbus H125, Bell 407, MD 500E, and other single-turbine types. Finance for private, commercial, and agricultural operations.
Light-Twin Helicopter Finance
Airbus H135 and H145, Bell 429, Leonardo AW109, and other light twins. Finance for HEMS, law enforcement, and premium private operations.
Medium-Twin Helicopter Finance
Airbus H155, Bell 412, Sikorsky S-76, and Leonardo AW139. Finance for offshore, VIP transport, and heavy commercial operations.
Leonardo / AgustaWestland Finance
AW109, AW139, and AW169 finance. The Italian manufacturer's premium twin range - popular for VIP transport, HEMS, and offshore.
Sikorsky Finance
S-76D and S-76C+ finance for VIP and offshore transport. Finance for the premium American twin in service with corporate and oil-and-gas operators worldwide.
Hire Purchase
Own the turbine helicopter at end of term. Engine programme enrolment supports strong residual values across all turbine helicopter types.
How it works
Helicopter details
Manufacturer, model, year, G-registration, airframe hours, engine type and hours, engine programme status, and commercial or private use.
Specialist lenders
Turbine helicopter finance requires specialist aviation lenders with rotary-wing experience. Decisions within 24-48 hours.
Engine programme
All specialist lenders require engine programme enrolment confirmation for turbine helicopters.
Settlement
We settle with the seller or manufacturer's authorised dealer.
Ready to discuss Turbine Helicopter Finance?
Call 0204 6211776 or complete our enquiry form. Indicative terms typically within hours.
Popular Turbine Helicopters We Finance
Bell 206 JetRanger / LongRanger
One of the world's most recognised turbine helicopters. UK prices typically £150,000–£600,000 depending on variant and vintage. Widely accepted by lenders.
Airbus H125 / H130
The successor to the Écureuil/AS350 series. Single-turbine, 5–6 seats. UK prices £400,000–£1,200,000. Popular for private use and charter.
Leonardo AW109
Twin-turbine, 7–8 seats. Premium business helicopter. UK prices £500,000–£3,000,000. HSBC and Lombard are most suited for AW109 finance.
Turbine Lender Comparison
| Lender | Rate | Min Loan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC | 5.5%–9% | £500,000 | Large turbine, fleet, commercial |
| NatWest | 6%–9.5% | £250,000 | Turbine, operators |
| Lombard | 6.5%–10.5% | £100,000 | Turbine chattel loan |
| Paragon | 7.5%–11.5% | Flexible | Multi-reg, flexible |
| Close Brothers | 7.9%–12% | £25,000 | Broad turbine appetite |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important factor in turbine helicopter finance?
Engine programme enrolment. Turbine helicopter engines are expensive to overhaul and maintain - lenders strongly prefer aircraft on approved engine programmes (Safran HCare, Honeywell MSP, Pratt & Whitney ESP, Rolls-Royce CorporateCare). Off-programme turbine helicopters attract significantly lower advance rates.
Can a Leonardo AW139 be financed?
Yes - the AW139 is one of the most widely operated medium-twin helicopters in the world, used by oil and gas operators, VIP transport, and HEMS services. Specialist aviation lenders are very comfortable with the AW139.
What makes the Sikorsky S-76 valuable for finance?
The S-76D's Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines on the full CorporateCare programme, the type's strong demand from VIP and offshore operators, and Sikorsky's comprehensive service network all support the S-76's residual values.
Can I finance a turbine helicopter for agricultural operations?
Yes - aerial application using turbine helicopters is financed by specialist lenders who understand agricultural aviation. The application chemical configuration may affect lender assessment.
What is the difference between HEMS finance and private turbine helicopter finance?
HEMS (helicopter emergency medical services) operators are commercial entities with Air Operator Certificates and revenue-based income. They access commercial aircraft finance. Private turbine helicopter owners access personal or corporate aviation finance. The lender panel differs.
What counts as a turbine helicopter?
Any helicopter powered by a gas turbine (turboshaft) engine. This includes the Bell 206 series, Airbus H120/H125/H130/H135/H145, Leonardo AW109/AW139, Sikorsky S-76 and many others.
What rates are available for turbine helicopters?
Rates start from 5.5% (HSBC, £500k+) and 6% (NatWest, £250k+). For smaller turbine transactions, Close Brothers and Lombard offer rates from 6.5%–7.9%.
Do I need a special licence to own a turbine helicopter?
You need a current helicopter pilot's licence with the appropriate type rating. For commercial operations, an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) may also be required.
Can I finance a turbine helicopter through an offshore SPV?
Specialist structures are possible. Speak to us about M-reg (Isle of Man) or other offshore ownership structures - several lenders on our panel are comfortable with these.
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