Heli-Expo ShowNews - February 24-26, 2008 - (Page 9)

Honeywell Sees Demand for 10,000 Helicopters Deliveries of new civil-use turbine helicopters will soar to 4,450 over the next five years and global demand could hit 10,000 helicopters by 2018, Honeywell says in its annual survey of purchase expectations released here at Heli-Expo. Helicopter deliveries jumped 25-30% to just over 800 helicopters in 2007, and increases in capacity will allow them to rise to more that 1,000 a year, it said. While the traditional manufacturers are all increasing production, the figures will be boosted by the introduction of new light single turbine helicopters such as the Robinson R66 and Schweizer 434. Strong demand for intermediate twin-engine models offering newer technology will also be a main driving factor. AgustaWestland has already taken orders for more than 300 AW139s, Sikorsky has a backlog of more than 50 S-92s, Bell Helicopter is sold out of its 412 almost through 2009, and Eurocopter announced launch customers here for its EC175. Two thirds of all civil rotorcraft sales over the next five years fleets and as their businesses expand. Increased aircraft performance, avionics capabilities and cabin volume are the main criteria in selecting a new helicopter, said Honeywell vp for helicopters Mike Cuff. “Operators want better technology, more range, more power, cargo or passenger capacity, and lower operating costs,” he noted. The survey showed few operators trading up to larger aircraft: about 80% of purchases will be made in the same size/capability and price class, Honeywell found. “The only segment with significant trade up aspirations is the Light Twin class with 53% trade even purchase and 47% trade up plans into the medium twin class.” Geographically, the U.S. and Canada are expected to account for 40% of new purchases, Europe 20%, Asia Pacific and the Middle East 22%, and Latin America 18%. Honeywell interviewed more than 1,000 flight departments around the world for this year’s survey. will be to corporate, emergency medical service and law enforcement customers, Honeywell said. Demand for new helicopters stems largely from operators needing to renew their aging Rolls-Royce Also Projects Record Deliveries The helicopter manufacturing industry will be almost at capacity for the next 10 years, with further pressure coming from the expansion of the light single engine turbine category, Rolls-Royce says in its latest annual forecast. The Rolls-Royce forecast projects deliveries of 15,711 military, parapublic and civil turbine helicopters, valued at $141 billion for the airframes, and $13.3 billion for engines, during the ten year period 20082017. Civil helicopters to be delivered during the period will have an overall airframe value of $31.5 billion and engine value of $4.2 billion. The civil unit forecast has increased nearly 50% to 9,095 helicopters from the year ago forecast, primarily due to entry level turbine helicopters. Chief among those is the Robinson R66, powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 engine, which the company expects will do for light turbine sales what Robinson has done in the two to four seat piston engine category. The forecast also projects 6,616 new military helicopter deliveries during the ten year period, with an airframe value of $109.7 billion and installed engine value of $9.1 billion. Over half will be multi-engine medium rotorcraft, primarily troop transport and maritime patrol. Ten per cent will be intermediate twins, such as light attack and tactical utility helicopters, and nine per cent will be single-engine aircraft such as armed reconnaissance helicopters. www.aviationweek.com/shownews February 26, 2008 9 http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

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Helicopter Speed Record Heli Express Renews Orders Flow at Heli-Expo MD’s Tilton Wants VLJ Flying in Style P&WC’s new by-the-hour Eurocopter Dominates Booming Outlook

Heli-Expo ShowNews - February 24-26, 2008

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