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
Leonardo mulls future for legacy helicopter platforms under updated industrial plan
Leonardo appears to be keeping all options open – including potential divestments – in relation to certain of its legacy helicopter programmes.
Comic-loving Cingolani outlines Leonardo’s reinvention to meet changed security outlook
New chief executive details Italian aerospace and defence giant’s strategy for the next five years as it seeks to transform in the face of rising global instability and spearhead evolution in European industry.
NHV Group picks H145 to replace Dauphin for pilotage services
NHV Group is to deploy a pair of five-bladed Airbus Helicopters H145s on maritime pilot transfer operations in the Netherlands following a contract renewal.
Fatal S-92 accident was not a ‘controlled landing’: Norwegian investigators
Norwegian investigators have confirmed the fatal accident involving a Sikorsky S-92 off the coast of Norway was not a controlled ditching.
Bristow details S-92 woes and outlines AW189 fleet growth
Bristow Group sees the spare parts shortages afflicting the Sikorsky S-92 lasting until at least the end of the year and is increasingly looking to other helicopter types for its future capacity requirements.
Guangdong Province to take six H175s for public-service missions
Airbus Helicopters has scored a deal from China’s Guangdong Province for six H175 super-medium-twins which will be operated on public service missions including search and rescue and disaster relief.
Analysis of data from crashed S-92 gets under way after successful download
Accident investigators say they have so far found no technical faults with the Sikorsky S-92 involved in a fatal accident in Norway in late February although caution that it is too early to draw conclusions.
Kawasaki nets order for single BK117
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has received an order for a single BK117 D3 helicopter from Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting.
Engine inspections pose fresh headache for S-92 operators
Operators of the Sikorsky S-92 already struggling with availability challenges due to spare parts shortages could be facing a fresh headache after US regulators mandated urgent inspections of the GE Aerospace CT7 engines that power the heavy-twin.
Investigators recover wreckage from crashed S-92 off Norwegian coast
Norwegian investigators have recovered the wreckage of the Sikorsky S-92 involved in a fatal crash off the coast of Norway on 28 February in which one person died.