Bell Helicopter (Booth U029) and AgustaWestland (Booth S141) are the only rotorcraft manufacturers exhibiting here this year. Both are stressing the importance of the European market, despite its slow dynamics.

Bell is showcasing a Bell 429 with a VVIP interior designed by Italy-based Mecaer Aviation Group. Mecaer has developed the I-FEEL (In-Flight Entertainment Enhanced Lounge) cabin system to “provide a fully customized interactive touchscreen-based entertainment and cabin management system consisting of audio, video, moving maps, laptop, camera and cabin functions.” The VVIP interior Mecaer and Bell first exhibited last year will be available through an EASA STC.

Bell is expanding its cabin equipment, offering satellite communications, USB plugs, lighting controls, smart, dimmable windows etc. for its entire product range. With the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, “We start at the lower end and we attract a lot of corporate/VIP customers,” Chuck Evans, director of marketing and sales, told AIN. The 407GXP, introduced at Heli-Expo 2015 in March, features a more powerful engine and an avionics upgrade for better pilot awareness. “More appealing paint schemes and the club seating layout are appealing to these customers,” Evans said.

At the other end of the gamut, Bell engineers have designed interiors for the Bell 525 Relentless heavy twin. “It has generated more interest than expected for VIP/corporate applications; the sky is the limit. It opens up a lot of possibilities for extremely high-net-worth individuals,” Evans noted.

Meanwhile, AgustaWestland is displaying the GrandNew light twin, the AW169 superlight twin and the AW139 medium twin. Well ahead of certification, the AW169 has already logged more than 150 orders (including options and framework contracts), many of them for corporate transport purposes, Emilio Dalmasso, AgustaWestland senior v-p commercial business unit, told AIN.

AgustaWestland has developed dedicated entertainment systems. “These would include, for example, iPad wireless control, lighting control, in-flight information and special audio/video devices,” Dalmasso said. The company has opened a specialized design center at its Vergiate factory.

Last year, AgustaWestland showcased an AW169 interior by design studio Lanzavecchia and Wei. “It allowed us to assess a new way to meet evolving customization needs, joining forces with designers well established in fields other than aeronautics,” Dalmasso said. Some components are now being engineered, such as variable lighting customized to the mission profile.

The manufacturer is also investing in customer support. “Delivery schedule adherence on urgent orders has increased to 75 percent and we aim at reaching 90 percent by year-end,” Dalmasso said. All high-rotation parts are delivered in 12 days, and this will be cut to six days during 2015, he said. “We’ve reached a 25 percent reduction of lead time for major inspections,” Dalmasso added.

He also emphasized the AW609 tiltrotor must be taken into account for a longer-term projection of “how we see the future of passenger transport.”

Last year, Bell delivered 10 helicopters in corporate/VIP configurations in Europe, the global total being around 60. This is higher than the number AgustaWestland quoted–approximately 40 helicopters. Nevertheless, the latter company believes it holds a 65 percent market share in the multiengine segment.

Specifically talking about Europe, AgustaWestland’s Dalmasso said the corporate market is “still not so dynamic, with some exceptions, and is undergoing different trends.” In his view, countries such as the UK have “started recovering” with a steadily expanding role for rotorcraft.

Other traditional markets are “basically stable,” particularly in southern Europe. Eastern Europe shows some potential with steady growth. “However, although the European market is not that active at this stage, no one can underestimate its relevance, and it still is a reference point for us. It is extremely important with respect to regulations and safety standards, and it’s a benchmark for other markets across the globe,” Dalmasso concluded.

Bell’s Evans essentially echoed his counterpart. “So far the helicopter industry is off to another slow start and Europe has been hit even harder,” he said. He referred to the corporate/VIP market in Russia and the CIS, which has slowed down. But all this does not change Bell’s commitment to the European market, he emphasized.

The first Bell 429 full-flight simulator is to be installed in Valencia, Spain, through cooperation between Bell Helicopter and TRU Simulation+Training (both Textron companies). It will be the initial platform in a newly created Bell Helicopter training center, itself housed at the Textron Aviation Service Center in Valencia. The simulator is scheduled to be operational in 2016. Europe has accounted for about one quarter of the 429’s sales so far.