Robinson and Eurocopter projected to lead light commercial helicopter production

Citation

(2008), "Robinson and Eurocopter projected to lead light commercial helicopter production", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780aaf.011

Robinson and Eurocopter projected to lead light commercial helicopter production

Robinson and Eurocopter projected to lead light commercial helicopter production

In its new study titled “The Market for Light Commercial Rotorcraft 2007- 2016” Forecast International projects that manufacturers will deliver some 14,200 rotorcraft to the light commercial rotorcraft market during the ten year period covered by the study, including 6,891 rotorcraft powered by piston engines and 7,311 powered by turboshafts.

The Connecticut-based market research firm estimates that the total value of production for the light commercial helicopter market during this time will reach $30.46 billion, of which turbine-powered rotorcraft will account for $28 billion and piston- powered helicopters $2.4 billion. “The lower total value of production of the piston helicopter segment is due to the lower price tags of piston helicopters relative to their turbine-powered brethren” notes Forecast International Aerospace Analyst Douglas Royce.

Robinson Helicopter is projected to deliver 6,086 aircraft, continuing its domination of the piston helicopter segment and accounting for a 42.8 per cent share of the total unit production for the light commercial rotorcraft market overall.

Eurocopter is projected to deliver a total of 3,141 helicopters during the forecast period, or 22.1 per cent of the unit production of the market overall. The value of this production will account for 29 per cent of the total value of production for the market overall. Although Eurocopter will produce fewer helicopters than Robinson, the dollar value of production Eurocopter's more expensive aircraft will be far higher at $8.87 billion versus a projected $2.15 billion for the value of production at Robinson.

Eurocopter will be followed by Bell Helicopter (1,576 units, $5.78 billion value of production), Sikorsky (1,123 units, $3.41 billion), and AgustaWestland (941 units, $4.95 billion). Together, these five companies are projected to account for 90 per cent of the expected unit production and 82 per cent of the value of production for the light commercial helicopter market overall.

Forecast International projects that twin-engine turbine-powered helicopters will be produced in slightly larger numbers than single-engine turbine models during the forecast period (3,708 vs 3,603). The value of production for the single engine turbine market is projected to be $5.7 billion, far less than the $22.33 billion projected for the value of production for twins. Singles will be far more popular in North America than in Europe, where their use over built-up areas remains restricted because of government regulations.

According to the study, continuing strong growth in sales will require opening new markets. “Besides, struggling to keep up with demand in the United States and Europe, manufacturers are looking to emerging economies as markets with high growth potential” said Royce. “China, in particular, is assumed to offer tremendous growth opportunities should the country's government open its airspace to general aviation traffic.”

For further information, please contact: Forecast International Inc., Tel:+1203 426 0800.