Feedback from exhibitors at this year’s Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show–the 63rd annual event–was notably positive, a clear indication that the record attendee and exhibitor numbers signal a strong performance by the rotorcraft industry during the past year. Heli-Expo 2011 attendance reached more than 20,000, according to HAI, and exhibitors totaled 625, up from 15,243 attendees and 596 exhibitors last year. More than 50 helicopters were on display, and exhibitors and vendors filled more than one million square feet of exhibit hall and meeting space at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
All of the helicopter manufacturers announced multiple orders–with Eurocopter booking new orders and agreements for 68 helicopters–and many launched new rotorcraft at the show, including new entrant Marenco Swisshelicopter and its composite SKYe SH09 powered by a single Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft. Eurocopter unveiled a new AStar, the B3e version with a Turbomeca Arriel 2D, as well as the Fenestron-equipped EC145T2, while Bell added two new variants of the 407, the Garmin G1000H-equipped 407GX and the 407AH armed helicopter targeted at the parapublic and military export market. AgustaWestland brought a mockup of its AW169 twin to Heli-Expo and reported a 56-percent growth in orders during 2010, compared with 2009. MD Helicopters CEO Lynn Tilton said she is preparing the company for rapid growth from pending deals with Boeing and a Middle East EMS operator. And Sikorsky president Jeff Pino reported strong 2010 results and plans for building the company’s non-defense portfolio, as well as technological advances that will explore more use of electric power and application of X2 compound helicopter technology.
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