Helo Builders Can Opt for Clear-Cut Packages and Goals

Vertical Aviation Technologies has reintroduced its Five-Stage Purchasing Program for the Hummingbird helicopter, letting builders eat that elephant one bite at a time with a selection of packages.

It's a slick system, helping to tame the headaches that accompany the assembly and manufacture of a rotary-wing aircraft. Each of the 5 packs contains one self-contained system or structure, giving builders that much-needed dopamine hit when they cap off a five-figure job and step back to appreciate their work. The first group ($68,750) consists of the documentation, the upper/lower cabin and airframe, landing gear, windscreen, nose, and tail cone. Group 2 ($91,000) contains the tail and main rotor assemblies, along with all their guts. Group 3 ($23,950) contains the fuel system and flight controls, while Group 4 ($23,650) has all the instrumentation, electrical, and engine accessories for an IO-540. Group 5 is the capstone (at $51,900) and contains the cowling, main rotor blades, and seats. All in all, a builder is looking at just a couple grand under $260,000 in 2025 prices.

Vertical has a quick-build iteration of Stage 1, so builders can start off with a lot of the airframe completed, though it's about twice the cost of the standard kit at $119,900. But hey, time is money, and it's probably worth it when builders get their own Hummingbird to enjoy that much sooner.

FMI: www.vertical-aviation.com