Twins for Europe, Singles for Latin America

Honeywell's forecast 11% increase in demand for turbine-powered helicopters from 2001 to 2005 (as compared with 1996-2000) results from different factors in four different geographic markets, says Michael A. Redenbaugh, the firm's acting president of engines and systems business.

European operators said they expect to acquire 25% more light twin engine aircraft to comply with JAR OPS requirements for flight over populated areas. European operators also said they expect a steep decline in the number of single-engine aircraft they will operate, along with a slight decline in other categories. Almost six in ten new helicopters will be used for EMS, according to the Europeans.

Latin American operators, by contrast, says they'll buy mostly single-engine aircraft. Corporate, utility and law enforcement market segments will show the greatest growth, accompanied by increases in EMS and TV news, they say.

Asian operators told Honeywell they'll need a mixture of single-engine utility and twin-engine corporate aircraft to meet market needs. Corporate, offshore oil and utility segments will grow.

Corporate helicopter numbers in North America will decline by 4.5%, according to operators. However, EMS, law enforcement and utility segments will grow, according to the North Americans. Helicopter acquisitions for offshore oil uses will be very flat.

Operators also told Honeywell's researchers they plan to acquire an increased number of used turbine helicopters during the 2001 to 2005 time period. Notably, nine out of ten operators said they expect the demand for fractional ownership shares in helicopters to go flat or decline because they need complete control of the aircraft.

Honeywell researchers polled 921 operators around the world late last year to gather survey data. Those polled operate more than 3,000 turbine helicopters. The survey results were Saturday afternoon here.

"During our last forecast survey period from 1996 to 2000, there was only a 2% increase," Redenbaugh said. "This time, there's a double-digit increase. And those numbers came from operators, not us."

Fred George