Originally Posted by
krypton_john
Unless you live around mountains a VFR restriction is not such a big limitation for helicopters. Many places around the world don't get many VFR no-fly helicopter days... Unlike fixed wing.
Of all helicopter hours flown every year what percentage is under IFR? Down this way it would be about 1% at a wild guess.
There are many owner pilots around, and this market is mainly single-engine VFR. Outside of the UK most of the world has pretty decent weather so around here even 1% would be high.
The market is heavily biased to piston aircraft then single turbines like the gazelle, 206 with the 407 being a popular choice as well.
If a modern 5-seater can be made that is in the legacy 206 money range, then they may well have a global market, presuming that they are able to properly certify it to satisfy global authorities.
Some owners do like their aircraft to work a bit so not being certified for commercial operations could limit its appeal.