FlightGlobal takes a look at the latest product developments across the various segments of the helicopter market.
- Arguably the most competitive part of the helicopter market, the light-single segment is, however, not necessarily blessed with the most modern designs. Nonetheless, new models are in development which will bring innovation to the sector.
- While not selling in the same quantities as their lighter siblings, light-twin helicopters play a significant role in society, notably in law enforcement and emergency medical services missions.
- Heading up the weight range means these medium-class helicopters are more capable but more complex – and come with a bigger price ticket. Despite this, there are big sellers in this category, alongside new entrants.
- A few years ago there were many forecasts that the new super-medium-class helicopters would sell by the bucket-load. This has not quite come to pass, although those operating the rotorcraft in this weight class have used their performance benefits to push into new markets.
- Heavy-twins sit at the top of each manufacturer’s range and while a downturn in oil and gas services has hurt sales in some cases, interest from the search and rescue operators has remained strong.
New models set to bring fresh competition to light-single helicopter segment
Arguably the most competitive part of the helicopter market, the light-single segment is, however, not necessarily blessed with the most modern designs. Nonetheless, new models are in development which will bring innovation to the sector.
Helicopters: the crack troops of the war on wildfires
Rotorcraft are able to tackle forest blazes in a way fixed-wing aircraft can not. We look at what the various assets on the market can offer
The global helicopter market in numbers
A breakdown of the global in-service fleets across the civil and military helicopter markets, together with historic fleet and delivery trends.
Slow-selling super-medium-class helicopters make modest headway
A few years ago there were many forecasts that the new super-medium-class helicopters would sell by the bucket-load. This has not quite come to pass, although those operating the rotorcraft in this weight class have used their performance benefits to push into new markets.
New arrivals in medium helicopter sector threaten the old order
Heading up the weight range means these medium-class helicopters are more capable but more complex – and come with a bigger price ticket. Despite this, there are big sellers in this category, alongside new entrants.
Airbus dominates light-twin helicopter market with German-built duo
While not selling in the same quantities as their lighter siblings, light-twin helicopters play a significant role in society, notably in law enforcment and emergency medical services missions.
Heavy-twin helicopters are dragged down by offshore slump
Heavy-twins sit at the top of each manufacturer’s range and while a downturn in oil and gas services has hurt sales in some cases, interest from the search and rescue operators has remained strong.
More helicopter news
Bell optimistic on 525 certification by year-end
Bell says civil aviation regulators are completing the last few evaluation flights on the new super-medium-twin helicopter, with executives hoping for a certification decision before the end of 2024.
Turkish Aerospace chief eyes further growth of helicopter business
Turkish Aerospace is seeing progress across its rotorcraft portfolio, with continued work on the 6t T625 Gokbey helicopter and a pending restart of T-70 production.
Racer sprints to target speed within just seven flights
Just seven flights and 9h into its test campaign, Airbus Helicopters Racer technology demonstrator has already beaten its 220kt (407km/h) target speed and opened up 80% of its flight envelope since its 24 April maiden sortie.
Airbus Helicopters picks RTX hybrid-electric system to power PioneerLab
Airbus Helicopters has selected RTX units Pratt & Whitney Canada and Collins Aerospace to supply a hybrid-electric powertrain for its H145-based PioneerLab technology demonstrator.
Sikorsky advances Hex design and builds hybrid-electric testbed
Sikorsky is close to completing the preliminary design review (PDR) for its Hex tiltwing demonstrator, as it also begins building a power system testbed to evaluate the aircraft’s hybrid-electric powertrain.
PHI receives first H160 ahead of route-proving trials
Airbus Helicopters and partner PHI Aviation will shortly begin route-proving trials with the former’s H160 medium-twin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Columbia Helicopters partners with Piasecki for Model 107 upgrade programme
Piasecki Aircraft has secured new work for its ‘Heliplex’ facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, signing a collaboration agreement with Columbia Helicopters to upgrade Model 107 tandem-rotor helicopters to a new more fuel-efficient standard.
MD Helicopters promotes aftersales chief to president
MD Helicopters has promoted Ryan Weeks to the role of president, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rotorcraft manufacturer.
AW609 tiltrotor completes first round of ship landing trials aboard Italian navy carrier
Leonardo Helicopters has revealed the successful conclusion of an initial phase of ship-landing trials for its AW609 tiltrotor as part of a project with the Italian military.
2Excel readies for start of Irish coastguard contract with local subsidiary launch
UK-headquartered 2Excel Aviation has set up an Irish subsidiary as it prepares to begin supplying fixed-wing support services to search and rescue provider Bristow Ireland on the latter’s contract with the country’s coastguard.