flyheli
You are certainly correct about this one.
World trade journals suggest China has ordered about 1,000 airliners to be delivered in the decade or so. Reason is at present 25% of world airline traffic occurs in Asia and China’s economy is growing at four times the average western nation.
It is anticipated that in the next five years the world rankings in economic powers will be 1. USA; 2. China, 3. Japan; 4. India and 5. Europe.
So what is the problem for the Chinese?
Training gurus have indicated that all the Chinese flight schools and their colleges established overseas, such as the two large ones in Western Australia, can only supply 80% of the aircrew needed. It is assumed they will call upon the shrinking pool of international aircrew.
Now what has this got to do with helicopters?
Until recently China had no general aviation industry or private ownership. Today, GA is struggling to catch up – demand far exceeds supply (of qualified people). The first privately owned aircraft in China was a Robinson R44, according to the media.
Government sources state that they would like to see the existing civilian fleet of 260 grow to 3,000 in ten years. Mainly to establish SAR and HEMS services.
China’s neighbours have very large fleets, Japan has a large mainly turbine fleet, Australia in now about sixth in the world in ownership (1,330) and New Zealand ranks in the top ten (650). So China’s 260 is relatively small.
Thailand and Malaysia have less than 100 each, mainly used in off shore oil type work. India has about 300 helicopters, of which 50% are light piston, according to one source.
India and China have relatively large military helicopter resources, at a wild guess 400 – 600 respectively. (Hard to get info). Both India and China have the capacity to provide some ex-military people to the civilian industry – but one bureaucratic hurdle slows them down, the licensing of ex-military drivers (and engineers) needs a lot of work.
China’s helicopter GA - small today - big tomorrow?
Several international companies have established manufacturing facilities in China and these are coming on line, and local designs are now appearing.
The dark over-arching shadow. The Asian (Chinese) vigorous airline expansion means they will attract pilots who otherwise would have become helicopter drivers – look at the money differences! But the biggest pain is their capability to steal helicopter engineers, already an endangered species.
So where will the help come from. My travels and chatting over the odd beer suggests that the Middle Eastern cashed up flying schools (some to be established) have the best motivation and energy to address this problem. A lot of these organisations have British or French mentors.
Can anyone update these figures; they are becoming a little rusty. For example, what if the fleet size in Japan?