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
Columbia Helicopters renews Chinook firefighting deal with Turkey
Columbia Helicopters will deploy four civil Chinook heavy-lift rotorcraft to Turkey in the coming months following the renewal of an aerial firefighting contract.
Racer resumes flight testing with new low-drag parts in place
Airbus Helicopters’ Racer demonstrator is back in flight testing after a six-month lay-up to install new parts to boost the high-speed rotorcraft’s aerodynamic performance.
Charter tour Mi-8 fatally collided with mountain ridge as crew descended in poor visibility
Russian investigators have found that a Mil Mi-8T helicopter captain’s decision to descend in limited visibility, while operating in mountainous terrain, led to a fatal collision with a ridge, with no survivors from among the 22 occupants.
Surion military, parapublic operators to cooperate more closely
South Korean operators of the Korea Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion helicopter will work more closely on sustainment and development of the rotorcraft, with an eye to developing the platform and coordinating acquisitions.
Rivals line up to unseat S-92 from offshore throne
For nearly a decade now, from Aberdeen to Stavanger to Houma, wherever the oil and gas industry has needed to move a lot of people a long way offshore, the S-92 has been the helicopter of choice. But with an ageing fleet and competitors snapping at its heels, will the Sikorsky heavy-twin’s dominance endure?
THC eyes move beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders as rapid expansion continues
Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) will shortly announce its first international operation, as the fledgling business continues its rapid expansion.
Leonardo mulls Wildcat’s future amid dwindling backlog
Leonardo Helicopters continues to assess the future of its AW159 Wildcat programme in light of a dwindling backlog and a challenging sales environment.
Airbus Helicopters ‘overwhelmed’ by reaction to H140 as orders pile up
Airbus Helicopters has almost sold out the first three years of production for its new H140 since the light-twin’s 11 March launch.
Arrius 2E fleet reaches double figures as Safran accelerates test programme
Safran Helicopter Engines has already built more than 10 examples of its new Arrius 2E powerplant for the Airbus Helicopters H140 as it eyes certification in support of service entry in 2028.
UK’s Police helicopter fleet renewal to begin with seven new H135s
The UK’s National Police Air Service is to field seven new Airbus Helicopters H135s from later this decade, via the first part of a fleet renewal activity.
