Helicopter Simulation Market Expected to Reach $1.8 Billion by 2031—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Helicopter Simulation Market," The helicopter simulation market was valued at $1 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $1.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2022 to 2031.

Helicopter simulation in training has become essential for pilot safety. The helicopter simulation can provide accident-free tactical and operational training for commercial and military operations. Helicopter simulations are primarily used for pilot training and testing, simulating a pilot's experience indistinguishable from real flight. Simulators provide a safe environment to study the consequences of incorrect decisions without the risk of accidents. Strict government standards and regulations for passenger safety are expected to further increase the demand for helicopter simulation.

Moreover, in December 2020, CAE Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of simulation technologies was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to offer classroom, simulator, and live flying instructor support services for Army aviators training to fly the CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk, and AH-64 Apache helicopters at the U.S. Army’s Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The increase in the importance of aircraft safety and the need for extensive flight training and simulation are expected to drive the demand for helicopter simulation during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is expected to experience growth dusing the forecast period. Asia-Pacific includes China, Japan, India, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific. Rest of Asia-Pacific includes Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others. The helicopter simulation market has great prospects in the Asia-Pacific, owing to increase in demand for civil helicopter for applications such as search and rescue, VIP transportation, and others, along with integration of new models of helicopters by several countries into their defense fleets.

Countries in Asia-Pacific region such as China and India, are currently focusing on enhancing their air capabilities, owing to increasing geopolitical conflict with neighboring countries, which in turn contributes in the growth of the market in the region. For instance, China planned to induct 121 Russian-made helicopters into their fleet by 2020. The helicopters range includes 68 Mi-171 helicopters, 21 Ansat helicopters, 18 Mi-171Sh helicopters, and 14s Mi-171 helicopters.

The civil and commercial sector accounted for a major share of the global helicopter simulation market in 2021. In the commercial sector, helicopter simulators are utilized for training the pilots to perform numerous tasks related with VIP transportations, tourism, oil and gas, and others. In addition, helicopter simulator provides a commercial pilot with scenarios of flying within the city along with recreated weather conditions, which aids in enhancing pilot training.

Simulation-based training programs are conducted for helicopter and ambulance crews (paramedics, paramedics/flight nurses, pilots) to improve their technical skills and engage in rescue operations. Numerous companies develop simulators to enhance professionals' skills in helicopter emergency service. For instance, the Modular Interactive Trainer for Helicopter Operators (MITHOS) Simulator designed by Leonardo reproduces complex and dangerous maneuvers in physical and virtual environments, enabling crews to quickly respond to emergencies.

Factors such as increase in air passenger traffic, rise in defense expenditure, increase in concern about passenger safety, and rise in number of pilot training institutes are expected to drive the market growth. However, high purchase cost, operating cost, and frequent maintenance cost hampers the market growth. Furthermore, rise in adoption of virtual reality and AI in helicopter simulation, and greater use in civil and commercial aviation are the factors expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the market growth.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Post pandemic, the demand for helicopters has increased owing to limited capacity for commercial flights and the ability to avoid busier airports. Quiet helipads lead to limited human contact, thereby increasing the demand for helicopters. There has been an increase in travel by helicopters due to less travel during the pandemic and greater disposable income. This is in line with the increase in the fixed wing market in the U.S. and Europe.

KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

• By offering, the services segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the near future.
• By simulator type, the fixed-base flight training devices segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the near future.
• By application, the military segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the near future.
• By region, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Key players operating in the global helicopter simulation market include Elbit Systems Ltd., Airbus, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales, Indra Sistemas, S.A., Textron Inc., ATC Flight Simulator, FLYIT Simulators, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway, and CAE Inc.