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Global New Aircraft Purchase Expectations Drop 21% Compared to 2008 Survey

honeywellnews — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:45:13 +0000

Honeywell’s eleventh Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook projects flat to slightly higher deliveries of new civil use helicopters during the five-year period 2009 – 2013 compared to the 2004 – 2008 period. A lack of financing availability (where 30% of sales are financed), a sharp rise in inventories of used current production models for sale, weak new order intake and an uncertain and unpredictable global economic environment are constraining growth.

Some key findings revealed by the annual survey of civil helicopter operators’ purchase expectations are:

Estimated civil helicopter deliveries are expected to reach similar levels to 2008 in 2009, supported extensively by current backlogs, which are expected to face mounting pressure by the end of 2011 absent a rapid economic recovery.
New order intake in 2009 is expected to decline sharply and will not normalize until a sustained global economic recovery begins and additional aircraft financing becomes available. Eurocopter recently announced that they expected near-term order intake to drop 36% while Bell stated publically that they had only sold 3 helicopters in January 2009 compared to 40 in January 2008.
Production of new helicopters is forecast to decline in 2010, 2011 and possibly 2012.
The peak-to-trough decline in deliveries could exceed the post 2001 industry cycle in percentage terms suggesting deliveries could dip near 2006-2007 annual rates in the next two years.

“Honeywell Aerospace’s 2009 survey has reaffirmed avionics capabilities, performance and power, along with cabin volume as the top criteria operators consider when selecting new helicopters,” said Mike Cuff, Honeywell Vice President, Helicopters & Surface Systems. “The decision to acquire new helicopters is driven primarily by the age of current aircraft which is usually reflected in an operator’s desire for better technology, more range, more power, cargo or passenger capacity and lower operating costs. This holds true even in the tough economic environment faced by operators around the world,” Cuff said.

For more information about the report, read the release.

Honeywell’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System Selected by Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

honlknutelsky — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:19:08 +0000

Honeywell’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) has been selected for the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters fleet, making the tour operator the first at the scenic park to use a TCAS safety system. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Honeywell’s TCAS gives the flight crew the broadest area of traffic awareness in order to give the crew the most time to avoid mid-air conflicts,” said Doug Kult, Sales Director for Honeywell Helicopter and Surface Systems.

Elling Halvorson, Chairman, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, said, “The initial systems will be installed on our EC130 fleet of 12 helicopters. Our remaining aircraft will be fitted shortly thereafter with Honeywell’s outstanding traffic system.”

Papillion’s certified installation for its fleet of Eurocoper EC130 aircraft uses two directional antennas, one mounted on the top and one on the bottom of the helicopter, giving the crew maximum surveillance capability.

Kult said, “TCAS shows pilots the location of other aircraft in real time and alerts them when there is a potential mid-air conflict with surrounding air traffic. TCAS-equipped helicopters operating in today’s air traffic environments are better equipped to avoid potential accidents than those aircraft that depend solely on traditional see-and-avoid protocols. With one helicopter crash for every 1,000 hours of flight, TCAS-equipped aircraft give passengers and crew a safety margin that non TCAS aircraft can’t match.”

Honeywell is a pioneer in advanced collision avoidance protection and aircraft situational awareness technology.

The TCAS system communicates with transponder equipped aircraft, providing the pilot with a graphical display of proximate and threatening traffic. Honeywell’s TCAS has been installed on thousands of helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

Honeywell’s safety systems for helicopters address the challenges of traffic, terrain and weather, helping to ensure safe flight and guard against Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), weather related hazards, and collisions with obstacles and other aircraft. The systems are designed specifically for the unique requirements of helicopter operations.

Honeywell LTS101 Engine is Selected to Power the Changhe Z-11 Helicopter

honlknutelsky — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:11:40 +0000

Honeywell’s LTS101-700D-2 engine has been selected by Changhe Aircraft Industries of Jingdezhen, China, to power the Z-11 helicopter. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The new engines will mark a restart of LTS101 production in Honeywell’s Greer, S.C., facility.

The Z-11 was designed by Changhe, which holds all intellectual property rights and has obtained type certificate and production certificate awarded by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

“Honeywell Aerospace is expanding its presence in China to address growth and demand in the region – and will begin providing new production LTS101-700D-2 engines to Changhe during the first quarter of 2010,” said Doug Kult, Honeywell Director of Sales, Helicopter and Surface Systems. “The Z-11 is a multi-mission, single-engine helicopter with application for police and rescue, aerial observation, electronic news gathering, VIP and executives, and border patrol operations. The helicopter is also available for export. The LTS101 powered Z-11 will offer 7 percent more take off power, up to 10 percent lower specific fuel consumption, and greater than 30 percent lower operating costs.”

For more information, read the press release.