On the Record with
FRANCOIS COURTOT, VICE PRESIDENT AERO ENGINES, TURBOMECA

Turbomeca Sees New Fight on Twins

Fancis Courtot of Turbomeca.

Turbomeca, which claims to power more of the world's civil helicopters than any of its rivals, is here at Heli-Expo (Booth 1141) to reinforce its claim to that crown .

It is drawing a direct line from the world's first gas turbine-powered helicopter flight 50 years ago to its position today on nearly one out of every two civil and parapublic helicopters-but it is having to fight harder than ever.

"We have 47% of the world's civil market, and up to 34% of market share globally, excluding U.S. and Russian military. I am happy with that," Turbomeca engine chief Francois Courtot told Show News. "We still have 70% of the market on the EC 135 against Pratt & Whitney Canada (the only helicopter where there is direct competition on engine choice) and just delivered our 1,000th Arrius to Eurocopter."

PWC has recently outcompeted Turbomeca on some EC 135 sales with its more powerful PW206B2, and the French company is countering with the uprated Arrius 2B2, due for certification by the end of this year. But battle for the light twin-engined helicopters will reach a new intensity with delivery in mid year of the first Agusta A109Power with Turbomeca engines, making two airframes where customers can choose between Pratt Canada and the French company. "Our goal is to win 50% of that market," said Courtot. It got a strong start with an order for at least 60 Arrius 2K2 engines for the A109 Powers chosen by South Africa as its Light Utility Helicopter.

Courtot stressed that its acquisition by French engine manufacturer Snecma last year has brought many strengths and synergies, but Turbomeca will remain strongly independent so as to focus on the helicopter market, where it has just under 22,000 engines in service worldwide. This number will grow rapidly as Europe's Tiger, NH90 and EH101 programs ramp up with Turbomeca power.

By John Morris