Originally Posted by
ericferret
Taking a longer look there have been three operators consistantly from from the early 70's except for a short period betwwen approx 1999-2001. This gap was filled smartish by the resurrection of the Bond which became Babcock.
Minor operators filling the fourth operator gap. Times with only three operators appear to be 1986-1993, 1998-2010.
So in the last 45 years approx we had two operators for two years and three operators for seventeen years and now back to four operators with the market at a deep low.
Something has to give.
That's a great summary, however Bond Helicopters Mk.2 came on the scene in 2004. The Bond brothers had a 5 year "no-compete" clause when they sold in 1999, which resulted in only 2 operators from 1999-2004.