Helicopter Simulator Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2022-2028)

Helicopter simulator is a technology in which synthetic environment is created to fly a helicopter for training purposes. Helicopter simulator accurately works on the variables that affect how the helicopter flies, how it responds to its controls, and how the aircraft responds to other external variables. Increase in concern about passenger safety, helps to understand the real time flying conditions, used by training institutes all over the world to teach aspiring helicopter pilots, and negligible risk or threat of any accident are the major factors driving the growth of the market.

The Helicopter Simulator Market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 6% owing to the increasing number of training organization with environmental parameters like clouds, mountains and others. For instance, in 2021, +VIDEO Alsim, a flight simulator maker, has released the Airliner, their advanced jet simulator built to meet ICAO's Competency-Based Training (CBT) regulations. It's a single-generic, cutting-edge training gadget that can replicate various aircraft, including the B737MAX, A320, E190-E2, and SSJ100. It is a multi-purpose hybrid simulator for advanced MCC, APS, JOC, and UPRT training for medium to large approved training organizations.

Based on simulator type, the market is segmented into full flight simulator and fixed-base simulator. The full flight simulatoris expected to grow with higher CAGR during the forecast period due to its ability to deliver realistic audio and visual effects, motion simulation with many degrees of freedom, while using minimal power and guaranteeing a long operational life. These systems have excellent precision, dependability, and simulation accuracy and consists of the necessary software and hardware for simulating helicopter operations both on the ground and in the air. Hence these are the factors driving the growth of the market.

On the basis of application, the market is categorized into commercial and military. Among these, the military segment is expected to grow with higher CAGR during the forecast period. In the military, helicopter simulators are used to prepare pilots for tasks like logistics and troop, cargo, and munitions transportation. Additionally, training on realistic battlefield scenarios is given to pilots in a full-mission simulator because it would be extremely important and costly to do so on an actual helicopter. For instance, in December 22, 2020, CAE announced that CAE USA is authorized to proceed on the United States Army contract to provide advanced helicopter flight training support services. Under terms of the contract, CAE USA will provide 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

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the helicopter simulator market, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. North America is anticipated to grow with higher CAGR during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the U.S. Air Force's growing need for additional helicopter simulators as well as improvements to the existing machinery. The market in this area is also anticipated to expand as a result of the existence of significant industry players like CAE Inc., FRASCA International, Inc., TRU Simulation + Training Inc., FlightSafety International, and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. Due to the growing use of helicopter simulators for both commercial and military operations, Europe has the second-largest share. For instance, in December 2019, Helicopter Flight Training Systems (HFTS) and the German Army reached a deal to modernise and enhance the NH90 helicopter simulators.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Thales, Indra Sistemas SA, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus, FRASCA International, Inc, FlightSafety International, Elbit Systems Ltd., DXC Technology Company., CAE Inc, Collins Aerospace.