Products
Conklin & De Decker’s 2009 Life Cycle cost release offers solutions for helicopter operators

Conklin & de Decker’s latest Life Cycle Cost 2009 Volume 1 release is more comprehensive than ever before and streamlines the budgeting process for helicopter owners and operators.  LIFE CYCLE COST is part of a family of aircraft operating and acquisition data products developed by Conklin & de Decker and provides extensive ownership and operating cost data for more than 375 jets, turboprops, helicopters and piston aircraft. 

The Life Cycle Cost budgeting software puts all aspects of owning and operating more than 90 different helicopter models into one easy-to-use program.  Acquisition costs, operating costs, taxes, the final residual value and even revenues for commercial operations, are all included in this updated budgeting tool. 

This incredible tool includes new features that will either enhance or make your budgeting process more complete.  For example, we have: 
1.    Added CO2 cost calculations for each aircraft, due to the seemingly impending adoption of regulations by various authorities worldwide.
2.    Added the ability to create or edit the starting point for recurring inspections that first occur later in an aircraft’s life (i.e. an inspection with a 1200-hour interval but does not occur for the first time until the aircraft has accumulated 2400 hours).
3.    Given the user the ability to turn on or off the effects of the aging curve calculations.
4.    Expanded the ability to recognize the value added tax (VAT)
5.    Updated newer helicopter types including the Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW139 with more current information on life-limited items and overhaul components.

In addition to the feature changes, we have also updated fuel and maintenance costs, as well as acquisition prices.

The software is designed so that users can obtain a comprehensive analysis by simply selecting an aircraft type from a drop down menu.  Users can expand the breadth of the analysis by quickly choosing different methods of acquisition (lease, finance, purchase, shared & fractional ownership), type of operation (corporate, commercial or managed), and depreciation schedules (5-year MACRS, straight-line, or a user-defined schedule).  These few and simple selections populate the program with preloaded operating costs as researched by Conklin & de Decker. The preloaded data alone saves users numerous hours of research. However, the user can also easily edit any of the pre-loaded costs and assumed flight hour estimates to modify the analysis to a specific situation.

Output from the program can help the user in a variety of ways.  The operations department will benefit from a 12-month budget analysis; or up-to a 20-year cost projection for variable and fixed costs.  The finance department can compare the net present value of different acquisition or disposition methods for multiple aircraft, while also learning more about the factors (betterment/detriment) that affect an aircraft’s value.

Running Life Cycle Cost requires a Windows PC or Mac with Microsoft Excel 97 or later. Databases options include Jets, Turboprops, Helicopters, Pistons and the major US-based Fractional Ownership programs. The price for the helicopter database software (delivered in the US/Canada) is $550. A single aircraft version is also available. Users can specify from one to five aircraft and pay for only those aircraft that they need.  Pricing is $225 for the first aircraft, with a 20% discount when ordering more than one aircraft.

Conklin & de Decker is a leader in aviation research, consulting and education with offices in Orleans, Massachusetts, Arlington, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona.  The company, founded in 1984, focuses on fixed- and rotary- wing aircraft operating cost, performance and specification databases, maintenance management software, financial management, fleet planning, market research, aviation tax issues, and financial, tax and management seminars.  Conklin & de Decker consults worldwide with numerous individuals, corporations and government agencies on fleet planning, ownership structures, tax planning, cost & budget analysis and financial planning.  For more information on their products and services please go to www.conklindd.com.