Safari 500 Helicopters for Sale — More Power, More Payload
The Safari 500 builds on the proven Safari 400 all-metal platform with a more powerful powerplant and increased gross weight capability — delivering meaningfully greater performance for operators who need to carry heavier loads, operate in higher-altitude environments, or fly in hotter ambient temperatures where the extra power margin makes a genuine difference to safety and operational capability. Where the Safari 400 is the entry point into the Safari kitbuilt helicopter family, the Safari 500 is the performance variant for builders who intend to use their aircraft in conditions that test the edges of what a light piston helicopter can do.
Upgraded Powerplant and Performance
The Safari 500 designation reflects the upgrade to a more powerful Lycoming engine — typically the IO-540 series producing approximately 250 hp — compared to the O-360 of the Safari 400. This power increase translates directly into greater useful load, improved hover performance out of ground effect (HOGE), better single-engine-style margins in the event of partial power loss, and improved climb rate for operations in elevated terrain. The fuel-injected IO-540 also eliminates carburetor ice risk and provides more consistent power delivery across varying temperature and altitude conditions compared to carbureted alternatives.
All-Metal Durability
Like the Safari 400, the 500 uses all-metal aluminum construction throughout — a deliberate choice by Safari Helicopter's designers that prioritizes repairability and longevity over the weight savings that composite construction would offer. In remote operating environments where composite repair materials and specialist skills may not be available, the ability to perform field repairs with standard aluminum sheet and rivets is a genuine operational advantage that composite-skinned alternatives cannot match. The Safari 500 is built for work as well as pleasure.
Browse Safari 500 Listings on Airplane Trade
Find Safari 500 high-performance kitbuilt helicopters for sale on Airplane Trade. Completed flying examples with IO-540 engines and full build documentation available from verified sellers. Connect directly with builders and owners who can provide complete construction history and airworthiness documentation for these capable all-metal personal helicopters.