Safari Helicopter
Safari Helicopter designs and sells experimental personal helicopter kits (Safari 400 and Safari 500) to individual hobbyist builders, supported by a Builder's Assist program, an e-commerce parts store, and an international dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersHendersonville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Safari Helicopter does
Safari Helicopter, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Marianna, Florida with operations relocating to Shreveport, Louisiana under 2024 new ownership, designs and sells experimental personal helicopter kits for individual builders. Its core product line consists of the Safari 400 (classic simplicity design) and Safari 500 (sleek modern design) helicopter kits, each available as a complete kit or in staged deliveries, and both powered by a real aircraft engine with Safari's proprietary drive train and controls. The company positions itself as bringing certified-aircraft component quality to experimental-kit price points, and supplements kit sales with a Builder's Assist program (factory-supported construction assistance), an e-commerce parts and accessories store covering rotors, controls, engines, trailers, and storage, and pilot training coordination with FAA Designated Pilot Examiners. The primary customer base is individual hobbyist builders and helicopter enthusiasts rather than enterprise or government buyers.
Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the company's website, augmented by an international dealer and distributor network spanning New Zealand, Australia, France, Brazil, Mexico, India, and several US Midwest states, plus the exclusive worldwide experimental-market distribution of Aerodymix Conformal Vortex Generators. Revenue is generated predominantly from one-time kit sales, recurring parts and accessories purchases, and Builder's Assist professional services; individual parts range from $33 to $21,700 (trailers), while complete kit pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held with no institutional or venture funding evidenced; ownership passed in 2024 from Delane and Bobby Baker (co-owners since 2009) to entrepreneurs Clint Brunson and Clinton "Junior" Johnson of Shreveport, who have stated intent to restart production and consolidate operations in Louisiana.
Safari Helicopter firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Safari Helicopter
- Legal name
- Safari Helicopter
- Website
- https://safarihelicopter.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Safari Helicopter designs and sells experimental personal helicopter kits (Safari 400 and Safari 500) to individual hobbyist builders, supported by a Builder's Assist program, an e-commerce parts store, and an international dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Safari Helicopter industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Experimental Personal Helicopter Kits
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Safari Helicopter is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hendersonville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Safari Helicopter business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Helicopter Kit Sales: Sale of complete helicopter kits (SAFARI 400 and SAFARI 500) and staged kits for builders who want to build progressively
- Builder's Assist Program: Programs to assist builders in constructing their Safari helicopters
- Parts and Accessories Sales: Sale of helicopter parts, upgrades, and accessories through the owner's store including engines, trailers, and custom components
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Complete Kit - Full helicopter kit purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kit in Stages - Progressive kit purchase option |
| Professional services/ project-based | Pay-as-you-go | Builder's Assist 400 & 500 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Parts and Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels5 records
Safari Helicopter product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Safari Helicopter designs, manufactures, and sells experimental personal helicopter kits — the SAFARI 400 (classic simplicity) and the SAFARI 500 (sleek modern design) — as complete kits or in staged deliveries for self-builders. The company also operates a Builder's Assist factory support program and an e-commerce parts and accessories store selling helicopter components, upgrades, trailers, and accessories.
Product overview
Safari Helicopter is a manufacturer of experimental personal helicopter kits, offering two main helicopter models: the Safari 400 (classic simplicity) and Safari 500 (sleek new design). Both models are available as complete kits or in staged deliveries, with optional Builder's Assist programs for factory support during construction. The company also operates a comprehensive e-commerce store selling genuine parts, upgrades, and accessories including rotor components, control systems, engine parts, trailers, and storage solutions. Safari helicopters are powered by real aircraft engines with the proven Safari drive train and controls, bringing certified-aircraft quality to the experimental price point.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SAFARI 400: Classic simplicity experimental helicopter kit
- SAFARI 500
- Baby Belle
Products and services
- Safari 400 Complete Kit
Companies that use Safari Helicopter
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Safari Helicopter technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Safari Helicopter partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- FAA Designated Pilot ExaminersminorThree FAA Designated Pilot Examiners are approved to conduct 'check rides' for pilots seeking certification in their Safari helicopters.
- Certified Flight InstructorsminorSafari works with qualified flight instructors near customers who can train pilots in the Safari helicopter.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Safari Helicopter competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Czech Sport Aircraft: Manufacturer of light sport and experimental aircraft kits including the PS-28 Cruiser. Comparable to Safari in kit-based selling motion, dealer network, and experimental/sport-owner target customer.
- Dynali Helicopters: Belgian manufacturer of the Dynali H2 and H3 light two-seat helicopters, sold both factory-built and in kit form. Niche competitor to Safari in the affordable personal/experimental helicopter segment.
- BRM Aero: Czech producer of the Bristell light sport aircraft family sold complete and in kit form. Comparable experimental/sport-kit go-to-market and enthusiast buyer base to Safari Helicopter.
Broad incumbents
- Robinson Helicopter Company: Dominant manufacturer of certified light helicopters (R22, R44, R66). Represents the type-certified alternative Safari buyers typically consider, anchoring price and performance expectations in the light helicopter segment.
- Airbus Helicopters: Global helicopter OEM offering certified light platforms (H125, H130). Comparable as the established, certified alternative that defines the upper end of the personal helicopter market Safari addresses at the experimental price point.
- Bell (Bell Textron): Major helicopter OEM producing certified light helicopters such as the 505 Jet Ranger X. Sets the broader certified light-helicopter benchmark Safari's experimental positioning is priced against.
Direct peers
- RotorWay International: Long-established US manufacturer of experimental helicopter kits for individual builders. Closest direct competitor to Safari in the FAA experimental rotorcraft kit category with a similar build-it-yourself value proposition.
- AutoGyro (AutoGyro GmbH): Manufacturer of gyroplane/rotorcraft kits and special-light aircraft for sport and recreational pilots. Overlaps with Safari on the experimental/special-category light rotorcraft kit customer and dealer-distribution model.
- Mosquito Aviation (Mosquito Helicopters): Canadian manufacturer of the Mosquito XE and XEL ultralight/experimental helicopters. Competes directly with Safari in the light, single-seat/two-seat experimental helicopter space sold to enthusiast builders.
Others
- Aerodymix: Manufacturer of Conformal Vortex Generators with which Safari holds an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement for the experimental helicopter market. Adjacent ecosystem participant tied to Safari via formal partnership.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Safari Helicopter social profiles
Digital presenceSafari Helicopter financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Safari Helicopter leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Safari Helicopter funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Safari Helicopter M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Safari Helicopter
What does Safari Helicopter do?
Safari Helicopter designs, manufactures, and sells experimental personal helicopter kits — the SAFARI 400 (classic simplicity) and the SAFARI 500 (sleek modern design) — as complete kits or in staged deliveries for self-builders. The company also operates a Builder's Assist factory support program and an e-commerce parts and accessories store selling helicopter components, upgrades, trailers, and accessories.
Is Safari Helicopter a public or private company?
Safari Helicopter is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Safari Helicopter founded?
Safari Helicopter was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Safari Helicopter based?
Safari Helicopter is headquartered in Hendersonville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Safari Helicopter make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Helicopter Kit Sales are the primary driver. The others are builder's Assist Program and parts and Accessories Sales.
Who are Safari Helicopter's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Czech Sport Aircraft, Dynali Helicopters and BRM Aero. Broad incumbents are Robinson Helicopter Company, Airbus Helicopters and Bell (Bell Textron). Direct peers are RotorWay International, AutoGyro (AutoGyro GmbH) and Mosquito Aviation (Mosquito Helicopters). Aerodymix is listed as an others.
Does Safari Helicopter have an API?
No public API is recorded for Safari Helicopter.
What industry is Safari Helicopter in?
Safari Helicopter's product category is Experimental Personal Helicopter Kits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAJ, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.