Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Helicopter leasing company Milestone Aviation Group has signed leases with three operators covering 17 helicopters, most of which are in the super-medium category. Milestone’s fleet has reached more than 320 helicopters worth more than $3.5 billion, and the company is planning to redeploy some aircraft into new missions because the energy market’s needs remain steady with about 300 helicopters serving oil and gas producers (OGP).
As a buyer of helicopters, Milestone does not place any speculative orders. “We identify demand,” said chief commercial officer Sébastien Moulin. “We know who the users are, and we’re happy to finance that.”
The market for large helicopters is shifting to more super-medium types such as the Airbus H175 and Leonardo AW189. “The major opportunity is replacement demand as aircraft age out,” said Pat Sheedy, CEO.
Generally, helicopters such as the Sikorsky S-92 will serve about 20 years in their primary mission then another 10 to 14 years before retiring. Typically, this might mean a first life in OGP missions then switching to firefighting.
Because few new S-92s are being manufactured, those OGP roles are shifting to the super-medium H175 and AW189 and, when it gets certified, Bell 525. “We’re forecasting replacement demand,” Sheedy said, “and not any major expansion.”
There are pockets of growth, for example, Brazil but this is balanced by large-scale decommissioning of helicopters in the UK. “Any incremental demand is primary replacement rather than growth,” he added.
A major trend that will affect the helicopter leasing market is firefighting. “This will be a large area of growth,” Sheedy said. It used to be that firefighting aircraft would follow seasonal fires from region to region.
“But we’re seeing those seasons elongate,” he said, and it isn’t efficient to move helicopters when they are still needed where they are located. Milestone is seeing an increased demand for firefighting assets that will stay longer in one place. “We’ve seen some seasons lasting for eight months,” Moulin said, “and can’t justify moving aircraft.”
Last year, Milestone partnered with Helitak to develop the FT5000 fire tank for the S-92, and the tank is on display this week at the VIH Aviation Group's Verticon booth. This move is intended to make the S-92 more useful for its second act as a firefighting helicopter.&nbsp;
Some recent transactions that Milestone has concluded include Omni Helicopters International for seven helicopters: two Airbus H145s, one H135, one H160, and one H175. The H160 and H175 are new helicopters, and the H160 is Milestone’s first placement in Brazil and will be operated by Petrobras. Omni Helicopters also extended leases for two Sikorsky S-92s.&nbsp;Delivery of the seven helicopters begins now and will be completed in the second quarter.&nbsp;
Milestone also signed an agreement to deliver four additional helicopters to Offshore Helicopter Services UK, to include two new Leonardo AW139s, one new H175, and one S-92. Deliveries are scheduled this year and in 2026. Offshore Helicopter Services also extended leases with Milestone for an S-92 and three H175s.&nbsp;Plans call for the H175 and S-92s to be configured for oil and gas missions by Offshore Helicopter Services in the UK.
CHC Helicopter and Milestone signed long-term leases for two new Leonardo AW189s to be delivered in the second and fourth quarters. Aker BP will fly the two helicopters in support of offshore operations in Norway.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Milestone Sees Growth in Super-medium Helicopter Leasing Market

Newer helicopters are supplanting aging machines that have reached end of life

The market for large helicopters is shifting towards more super-medium types such as the Airbus H175 and Leonardo AW189, according to Milestone Aviation Group.

Milestone Sees Growth in Super-medium Helicopter Market

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Battery technology remains insufficient for electric program progress

Airbus Orders Climb, CityAirbus eVTOL Program Pausing

Curt Epstein

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

The developing advanced air mobility sector has seen consolidation of late.

Vertical Flight Society Assesses eVTOL Market Churn

Company has also launched a new rotorcraft leasing arm

THC, Rotortrade Fleets Expand; AAM on the Horizon

Hanneke Weitering

Dozen helicopters ordered by customers in Egypt, Alaska, and the UK

Leonardo Announces Helicopter Orders at Verticon 2025

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Fireflighting mission is ideal for large rotorcraft nearing the end of their useful lives

First Firefighting Sikorsky S-92 Unveiled at Verticon

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Verticon 2025

In this article

The Milestone Aviation Group Limited

More In Rotorcraft

Airbus Orders Climb, CityAirbus eVTOL Program Pausing

Battery technology remains insufficient for electric program progress

Vertical Flight Society Assesses eVTOL Market Churn

The developing advanced air mobility sector has seen consolidation of late.

THC, Rotortrade Fleets Expand; AAM on the Horizon

Company has also launched a new rotorcraft leasing arm

Leonardo Announces Helicopter Orders at Verticon 2025

Dozen helicopters ordered by customers in Egypt, Alaska, and the UK

First Firefighting Sikorsky S-92 Unveiled at Verticon

Fireflighting mission is ideal for large rotorcraft nearing the end of their useful lives

Safran Designates Optimal Connectivity Providers

The engine maker unveiled a new label at Verticon

Airbus H160 Helicopter Begins Offshore Ops in Louisiana

PHI Aviation launched commercial flights with the H160 on March 6

Indonesian Army Receives Six Modernized Bell 412EPs

Black Diamond Heliaero upgraded the helicopters with Basix Pro avionics

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN