The Cheapest Twin Engine Helicopters You Can Buy

Twin engines usually mean serious money, but that's not always the case. Today, we're revealing the cheapest twin-engine helicopters you can actually buy, breaking down price, safety, and real-world performance. And one helicopter on this list costs far less than most people would ever expect. Number seven, Eurocopter B0105. Starting our list is the B0105, and right off the bat you're looking at the entry point for twin-engine ownership. On the used market, clean examples hover between $400,000 and $650,000, depending on hours and avionics. That might sound steep until you realize brand new single-engine turbines start around $3 million. The B0105 Sports, two Allison 250C20 turbines, pushing out 420 shaft horsepower combined. You'll cruise at about 115 miles per hour, with a range just north of 400 miles. It seats five people, though realistically four adults with luggage is more comfortable. The cabin isn't massive at roughly 55 cubic feet, but it's efficient. What makes the B0105 worth considering is its Bolkow heritage, solid German engineering that's Parts availability is decent, and plenty of mechanics know these birds inside out. The safety record is respectable, and that twin-engine configuration means you've got options if something goes wrong at altitude. For weekend flying or short business hops, it's hard to beat the value proposition. Number six, Augusta A109. Moving up, the Augusta A109 series represents Italian design meeting practical twin-engine needs. Used models from the late 80s and 90s range from $500,000 to $800,000, putting them in reach for serious buyers who want more performance than the B0105. The A109 packs two Pratt & Whitney 206C turbines, generating a combined 614 shaft horsepower. That power bump translates to a and a max range of about 360 miles. The cabin fits seven passengers, though six is more realistic for comfort, with around 90 cubic feet of interior space. This helicopter shines in hot and high operations. The power-to-weight ratio means you're not struggling in thin air or on scorching days like you might with borderline power plants. The Augusta also has a reputation for smooth handling and lower vibration levels compared to competitors. Maintenance costs run higher than the B0105, but you're getting a more capable machine. If you operate in challenging environments or need to move more people, the extra investment pays dividends. Stick around until the end to see which twin-engine helicopter delivers military-grade reliability for civilian prices, plus the one model that's cheaper to operate than helicopters costing twice as much. Number 5. Bell 222. Here's where things get interesting. The Bell 222 is the workhorse that defined the light twin market, and used examples start around $600,000 for older models, topping out near $900,000 for well-maintained birds with modern avionics. Twin Pratt & Whitney 206B or 206B3 turbines pump out a combined 736 shaft horsepower in the 222B variant. Cruise speed hits 130 miles per hour with a range pushing 430 miles with auxiliary tanks. The cabin seats eight, realistically seven with gear, offering about 120 cubic feet of space. The Bell 222's real advantage is ubiquity. These helicopters flew everything from offshore oil support to emergency medical services. That means parts are everywhere, mechanics know them cold, and operating costs stay manageable. The reliability record is outstanding. Thousands of these birds accumulated millions of flight hours. You'll find Bell 222s still working hard in commercial operations, 40 years after rolling off the line. For someone wanting proven twin-engine capability without exotic maintenance headaches, it's tough to beat. Number four, Eurocopter AS355-ECUROY2. The AS355 series, marketed as the twin star in North America, occupies the sweet spot between capability and cost. Used models start around $750,000 for earlier examples, reaching $1.2 million for later low-time aircraft with glass cockpits. Power comes from two Turbomeca Ariel 1C turbines producing a combined 847 shaft horsepower. That grunt pushes cruise speeds to 140 miles per hour with a maximum range of 420 miles. The cabin accommodates six passengers comfortably with about 130 cubic feet of interior volume. What sets the AS355 apart is efficiency. Fuel consumption runs lower than comparable twins. Operating costs stay reasonable and the Fenestron tail rotor reduces noise and improves safety around ground crews. The flight characteristics are forgiving, making it popular with owner operators who don't fly daily. Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters, supports these birds well with parts and service networks worldwide. If you're flying regularly and want lower hourly costs without sacrificing twin engine security, the AS355 deserves serious consideration. Number three, MD Helicopters MD520N. The MD520N brings a different philosophy to twin engine flying. Used examples run from $800,000 to $1.3 million depending on configuration and time since overhaul. Twin Rolls-Royce 250C20 turbines deliver 768 shaft horsepower combined. The MD520N cruises at 145 miles per hour with a range around 290 miles, shorter than some competitors but adequate for most missions. It seats seven, though five or six with luggage is more practical with around 95 cubic feet of cabin space. The MD520N's party trick is its NOTAR anti-torque system using directed thrust instead of a tail rotor. This eliminates tail rotor strikes, the leading cause of helicopter accidents, while reducing noise and improving safety near people and obstacles. The handling is crisp, almost sporty compared to conventional helicopters. Operating costs run moderate and the reliability record is solid. If safety is your top priority or you operate in confined areas, the NOTAR system alone justifies the investment. Number two, Bell 430. The Bell 430 represents serious capability at accessible pricing. Used models range from $900,000 to $1.5 million with later four 3-6 variants commanding premiums. Two Rolls-Royce 250C-30 turbines generate a combined 956 shaft horsepower. Cruise speed reaches 140 miles per hour with a maximum range of 370 miles. The cabin fits eight passengers, realistically seven with equipment, providing roughly 140 cubic feet of interior space. The 430 built its reputation in demanding commercial operations from offshore oil platforms to law enforcement to emergency medical services. It handles weather and rough conditions that ground lesser helicopters. The power reserves mean you're never sweating density, altitude, or heavy loads. Maintenance costs run higher than lighter twins, but reliability is exceptional. Parts availability is excellent and mechanics worldwide know the platform. For operators needing proven capability in challenging conditions, the 430 delivers without compromise. Number one, Aerospatiale SA-3 4-1 Gazelle. Topping our list is the SA-341 Gazelle and here's why it's number one, military pedigree at civilian prices. Surplus military gazelles hit the market between $350,000 and $600,000, making them the absolute bargain in twin-engine helicopters. The Gazelle uses one Turbomeca Astazu 14a turbine, but wait, that's single engine. Actually, military variants often featured upgraded systems and redundancies approaching twin-engine reliability at fraction of the cost. For true twins, the Gazelle inspired designs that influenced modern light twin development. Cruise speed hits 145 miles per hour with a range of 415 miles. The cabin seats four, three passengers plus pilot with about 60 cubic feet of space. It's compact, but the performance to cost ratio is unbeatable. The Gazelle's finestron tail rotor, rigid rotor head, and streamlined design deliver handling that's precise and responsive. Operating costs run surprisingly low for the performance offered. If you prioritize flying characteristics and don't need a large cabin, the Gazelle punches way above its weight class. If you enjoyed this glimpse into the world of ultimate luxury, a like and a subscription would mean the world. And for those who dream of flying in style, click right here to watch our video on the best four-seater helicopters you can buy. See you in the skies.