Purchase price analysis of over 120 helicopters using linear regression statistical analysis has yielded a price estimating equation. This equation shows helicopter prices are more sensitive to installed power than to weight empty. A similar analysis of 165 propeller driven airliners has yielded a contrasting price estimating equation. This equation shows airliner prices are much more sensitive to weight empty than to installed power. Comparison between the Boeing Model 234LR helicopter and the de Havilland Dash 8-300A turboprop shows the sensitivity of price to weight empty is about dollar 300 per pound. However, helicopter price sensitivity to power is at least 40 percent greater than that of the comparable airliner. No reason for this excessive price of power within the rotorcraft industry is apparent from this analysis. The traditional minimum weight empty design approach results in excessive installed power due to high disc loading. The design approach has been necessary to meet military requirements such as fitting helicopters inside an Air Force C-130 and operating tiltrotors from a Navy ship. This military oriented design approach is wrong for commercial products. The price estimating relationship developed shows that designing for minimum weight empty does not equate to minimum helicopter purchase price for the commercial operator. Continuing a military oriented design approach for advanced commercial products such as civil tiltrotors is not recommended. (continued vol. 3 pp 121-132)
Helicopters cost too much
Hubschrauber kosten zuviel
Forum, Annual Forum, 53 ; 2 ; 1575-1608
1997
34 Seiten, 11 Bilder, 22 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Supplemental appendix - helicopters cost too much
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