Demand Increasing For Commercial And Military Helicopter Sims

The demand for helicopter sims is poised for growth, according to a new report from ASDReports.

The demand for helicopters is significantly increasing due its wide range of commercial and military applications, some of which include tourism, oil and gas exploration activities, and corporate purpose. According to Honeywell Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook (17th annual), it is expected that 4,750-5,250 fleet of new civil rotorcraft will be delivered during 2015-2019.

“LVC-based training will be a major key trend for the market growth," according to an analyst familiar with the report. "With the introduction of live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training, the pilot is put in an environment very similar to the challenges faced on a battlefield. This training prepares military pilots for combat missions, which includes emergency evacuation and coordination with ground operations.”

The report recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global helicopter simulator market:
CAE

• Elite Simulation Systems
• Frasca Flight Simulation
• Rockwell Collins
• Thales

Other Prominent Vendors in the market are Indra Sistemas, Lockheed Martin, L-3 Link Simulation and Training, Northrop Grumman, and Tru Simulation + Training.

Further, the report states that high initial cost of simulators will be a challenge against the market growth. A massive initial investment is required for simulators, and a large percentage of the cost involves aircraft OEM data package license fees, instruments, parts, and avionics. The cost of maintenance and spare parts for a simulator is also expensive. Simulator maintenance requires a high-ceiling building to conduct regular checks and to ensure the system is still fully operational in terms of visuals and active motion. The development of FFS and the addition of new features raise the price of helicopter simulators.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.

(Source: ASDReports. Images from file)

FMI: Report