The growth in number of helicopters operating in Australia is larger than that of fixed-wing aircraft, according to the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA).
In their 2013-14 Fiscal Year Report, AHIA states that the number of helicopters in Australia has grown by 79.8% since 2004, compared with the 19.7% increase in aeroplanes over the same period.
Australia had 1170 rotaries in 2004, and the current figure stands at 2104.
"AHIA’s research indicates past annual growth rates are usually 6 to 8%; however, the number of IFR multi-engine turbine machines has markedly increased over recent years, resulting in shortages of qualified maintenance staff and pilots acceptable to operators with more advanced equipment," the report says.
"The outlook for sales of heavy helicopters looks good as various HEMS, off shore oil and gas projects mature. A wild card yet to be quantified is the contract for training of military pilots by a civilian agency, possibly in the next reporting year 2014/2105."
Helicopters now represent 13.8% of the entire Australian Civil Aircraft Register.