HAI reports a successful Heli-Expo 2007

Orlando, USA: The Helicopter Association International's (HAI) has said that its 2007 Heli-Expo, held Thursday through Saturday last week at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida, was a resounding success.

The association reported an impressive representation from more than 500 exhibitors, who also put 35 aircraft on display in the convention hall. It also reported total sales for the major manufacturers at more than $732 million. This it said was a sharp increase over last year's figure. Even more impressive, the association said, was the fact that the number did not include those from Bell Helicopter, which declined to furnish details.

The show saw numerous launches, including Robinson's turbine-powered R66; the new Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine that will power the R66; the AgustaWestland AW119 Ke; Sikorsky's first search-and-rescue S-92; and various concepts such as Honeywell's synthetic-vision system.

The association also said that it wasn't good news all the way, with Bell Helicopter announcing that it had decided to terminate the 417 programme one year after it was introduced with much fanfare at Heli-Expo 2006.