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
Robinson readies for the future as helicopter manufacturer eyes new product launch
A little over eight months into his stint as chief executive of Robinson Helicopter, David Smith is plotting the manufacturer’s next move, with new technologies and new products at the forefront of his mind.
Avincis spins up global growth plan
Emergency services provider Avincis is charting an aggressive growth path, targeting global expansion where “nothing is off the table”.
H225 continues oil and gas comeback with Westair lease deal
The Airbus Helicopters H225 has continued its incremental return in the oil and gas market with Westair Helicopters to lease a single offshore-configured example from Milestone Aviation Group.
Omni takes first H160 from GDHF as lessor builds portfolio
Omni Helicopters International Group has taken delivery of its first Airbus Helicopters H160 medium-twin on lease from Ireland-based lessor GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF).
Airbus Helicopters keeps pressure on rate ramp-up to address swelling backlog
Airbus Helicopters is attempting to keep pace with an aggressive ramp-up target across its entire programme range to bring down extended lead times and meet a target of 400 deliveries per year by 2027.
Leonardo takes tilt at NATO next-generation rotorcraft concept
Leonardo Helicopters’ concept design study for NATO’s future rotorcraft programme is likely to combine elements from the company’s two in-development tiltrotors, according to the airframer’s chief engineer.
AW609 stays on certification path amid ‘tangible progress’ with FAA
Leonardo Helicopters believes its AW609 civil tiltrotor remains on track to secure US certification next year following a series of recent interactions with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Bell 525 edges towards certification finish line but ‘final tests’ remain
Bell’s goal to clinch US certification for its developmental 525 Relentless in 2024 is increasingly in the balance as the year draws to a close, with several flight-test points still to be addressed.
TAI hands over first T625 Gokbey helicopter
Turkish Aerospace (TAI) has delivered the first T625 Gokbey helicopter, part of a launch order for 20 examples from Ankara for the new medium-twin.
Inquiry calls for action on powerlines after Norwegian near-catastrophe
Norwegian accident investigators have urged the country’s civil aviation regulator to review its policy on the marking of overhead powerlines after a light helicopter narrowly avoided a crash after flying into an unmarked cable.