FlyFuture is back, helicopter transport market is growing in Italy

The helicopter transport market in Italy is growing. According to the latest data from the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), in 2021 the number of civilian pilots of rotary wing aircraft reached 2,338, of which 1,341 for commercial flights and 997 for private activities. Also in the last year, the number of those who have obtained the helicopter pilot license has returned to grow: in 2021 there were 104, a sharp increase compared to the negative record of only 73 in 2020 due to the pandemic and approaching 114. of 2019. Significant numbers also on the front of civil helicopters present in Italy: in 2021, 369 were counted for commercial and private activities, in addition to 141 specialized in rescue and ambulance missions and about 250-300 ultralight helicopters. With these data at the center, “Fly Future Digital Preview” returns today, the online talkshow dedicated to those, especially young people, who want to enter the world of aviation. Today’s episode focuses on the theme “How to become a helicopter pilot” and is live streaming from 4 pm on the Facebook page @ FlyFuture.it. “Even in Italy the helicopter sector is numerically smaller than the large airplane sector, but it maintains its importance for a series of activities and missions that characterize the use of the rotary wing” explains Luciano Castro, director of Fly Future Digital Preview . “In the civil field – he adds – helicopters are in fact irreplaceable machines in VIP and executive transport, in emergency and rescue flights, in connections with off-shore platforms and also in the transfer of heavy loads and in firefighting missions through the use of the barycentric hook. To these civil activities, of course, are added the many helicopters used by the Armed Forces and institutional departments “. Three professionals from the sector participate in the new episode of “Fly Future Digital Preview”: Filippo Conte, helicopter pilot, flight instructor and representative of the Roman flight school Helisolution; Cristina Specia, helicopter pilot, flight instructor at Helisolution and co-pilot of the Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft; Giuseppe Afruni, former pilot officer in the Navy and today head of test pilots of Leonardo Helicopters, division of the most important Italian aerospace company that sells helicopters all over the world. The two previous episodes, which took place in recent weeks and are already available online, were dedicated to how to become a private airplane pilot and commercial and airline pilot, while the fourth and final episode will concern the military pilot.