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Jane's Helicopter Markets
and Systems 2000 - 2001
Günter Endres
Lindfield June 2000
The Helicopter Market
- guarded optimism
Although deliveries last year were down a little, healthy order books,
together with improved profitability of operators, and strong economic
performance in Europe and the United States, would suggest that the industry
is entering a period of stable growth. The availability of new turbine
models has made a major contribution to the recent revival of the industry,
while the piston-engined market has been limited to upgrades of existing
models. But the outlook over the next 10 years from various sectors, particularly
from engine manufacturers and other industry observers, while generally
positive, remains mixed. There should be growth overall in deliveries
of new helicopters, but this is unlikely to exceed around 2 to 3 per cent
per annum, and the numbers will not add up to a renaissance for rotary
manufacturers.
In addition to the vagaries of world economies, the industry is still
facing serious issues that could inhibit future growth. These include
a decline in private and public heliports, increasing airspace restrictions
and access, growing public opposition to helicopter noise, and, in the
United States, a reduction in NASA's aeronautics budget. This, says AHS
president Rhett Flater, "threatens the continuation of NASA competency
in rotorcraft research and technology." On the positive side, the
economies of the United States and Europe, together accounting for seven
out of 10 new helicopters purchased, are strong. Orders in Latin America,
for so long hailed as the market of the future, are encouraging, and the
Asian economies are recovering fast.
The availability of new models with increased performance, efficiency
and comfort has provided a surge of interest in some market sectors, while
the advent of the tiltrotor will further expand the envelope of rotary
applications, but will also impinge on some traditional helicopter markets
and sales. With more technological advances, the scope of the helicopter
in the aerial work, and commercial transport segments will be widened,
although where it is most needed, in the underdeveloped world, its use
is constrained by financial and political considerations.
In general terms, the global picture over the next five years is one of
stability accompanied by modest growth in some areas, particularly in
the corporate travel, aeromedical, and offshore sectors (the last slowly
being revitalised on the back of higher oil prices). Heli-logging has
been going through a difficult period, but has now stabilised, as have
training activities. Operators of sightseeing services in the United States
continue to battle against attempts to prevent flights over national parks.
The military market is recovering from the recent low, with deliveries
of new helicopters increasing over the next two years, before settling
back at a lower annual average. Transport and attack helicopters will
lead the market, followed by utility helicopters.
Overall, the market for new civil helicopters will remain flat for the
foreseeable future and is unlikely to exceed 800 turbine units a year,
with a 60/40 split in favour of commercial models. The same will apply
to piston-engined helicopters, which continue to battle against restrictive
legislation. The annual total will remain at around 300 units.
Although dwarfed in terms of value by fixed-wing aircraft, the helicopter
business is, nevertheless, an exciting one. With more than 50,000 helicopters
in active service and matching the big jets in longevity, it could not
be otherwise.
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A e r o s p a c e
S p o n s o r :
All the World's Aircraft
Aircraft Upgrades
Defence Upgrades
International Defense Review
Air & Systems CD-ROM
Avionics
World Air Forces
UK's
JSF MoU deal with USA infuriates Europe
India extends its
nuclear reach
Concorde safety upgrades being fitted; British Airways briefs Jane's
Slump
hits BAE Systems
India's
LCA prototype finally takes to the sky
New-look
Comanche helicopter takes flight
A380
faces tough challenges
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