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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 2/97 HELICOPTER MANUFACTURERS: OPTIMISM WITHOUT EUPHORIA by Karl Schwarz Dr. Siegfried Sobotta, Co-President of Eurocopter, is pleased, seeing a distinct jump from 1995 to 1996. While the company's turnover increased only slightly, orders worth over FF11 billion are promising better times for the German-French cooperation. The new EC 135 had a successful start and the Ecureuil is currently a good selling product, too. In the military business, Eurocopter logged two important orders for the Cougar helicopter. Eurocopter's optimistic attitude, which, nevertheless, cannot be called euphoric, is shared by many of the competitors. According to engine manufacturer Allison, the better market prospects are based on due replacements. However, just the need for replacements is not enough to push the sales. Only now, that all of the manufacturers are offering new or improved models in each category, are operators considering the purchase of new aircraft. Eurocopter's twin-engine EC 135 has been available since last summer. The marketing of the smaller single-engine EC 120 will begin in 1997. According to Eurocopter President, Jean-Francois Bigay, a further push is expected due to significant improvements of existing helicopters, such as the Dauphin and Ecureuil. A family concept is being developed for the Super Puma, also. Bell has picked up to update its product scale as well. The model 407, a derivative of the Long Ranger, was a first result of these efforts. The model 230 was further developed into the 430. The twin-engine 427 comes next. Bell and Boeing announced in November of last year plans to develop the civil tilt-rotor - a courageous move since the predictions for the market of such an aircraft vary. Having introduced the twin-engine Explorer and just recently certified the MD 600N, McDonnell Douglas will continue to update its products. Agusta is focusing on new variants of the A109. According to Allison, particularly the market for light and medium twin-engine helicopters will develop in the next years, mainly due to new regulations for helicopter operations in conurbations. From the regional perspective, Asia is seen as the market with the highest growth potential for the coming five years. According to Eurocopter, the situation in Latin America will remain stable on a low level, while Bell expects growth in exactly that region. In Europe, Eurocopter can benefit from its home advantage. The situation in the USA will probably continue to fluctuate while Africa will maintain at its normal low level. Somewhat different estimations apply to the military market. According to Eurocopter, there won't be many changes, looking at the market from a global perspective and Allison, too, sees a stable order flow based on small procurements from many countries. These could cover the time until past the year 2000 after which the large-scale development programs, which are currently under way in Europe and the USA, will finally affect the production of new helicopters. For Eurocopter, this is the Tiger attack helicopter, as well as the NH90. Westland and Agusta are planning to start the series production of their large EH101 beginning in 1998/1999. First deliveries of the Osprey V-22 tilt-rotor to the US Marine Corps, scheduled for 1999, will supposedly generate a significant increase in turnover for Bell and Boeing. Still, Boeing/Sikorsky's RAH-66 Comanche attack helicopter won't be available before 2005. While Bell and Boeing are concentrating on the future market, McDonnell Douglas and Sikorsky still have a solid order log to work on. However, these two do not have follow-on programs for the AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk respectively. In spite of many positive aspects, the helicopter manufacturers are still facing problems. According to Boeing Helicopters, it's not only the civil customers who demand the optimum equivalent for their money, leading to a constant pressure on the prices. Furthermore, the inevitable request for offset deals complicates the exports in the military market. Finally, the general set-up must be taken into consideration when looking at the market. Operators only buy helicopters if these can be profitably used. In some regions, this is getting more and more difficult due to stricter regulations, something the Helicopter Association International (HAI) is worried about. This and other topics, such as insurances or the dumping offers for used helicopters from US military surplus stocks, will again be discussed at the Heli-Expo '97. The world's most important helicopter show will open its doors from February 2 - 4 in Anaheim, California. FLUG REVUE will be present with an exhibition booth. From page 32 of FLUG REVUE 2/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 2/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated January 10, 1997