Hangar X Studios

Why is Australia’s Helicopter Market Leading? | Rob Bentley Johnston

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In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with Rob Bentley Johnston of Heliflite Australia, live from Verticon — the epicenter of vertical aviation innovation. The conversation journeys through the unique operational landscape of helicopters across the vast Australian terrain, the evolution of VTOL and EVTOL technology, and how Heliflite is helping shape the future of long-range vertical transport.

Rob shares insights into the shifting dynamics of regional connectivity in Australia, why traditional helicopters are being challenged by newer airframes, and what makes the Australian aviation market uniquely suited for long-range VTOL innovations. Packed with outback survival anecdotes and forward-looking market analysis, this episode is a compelling deep dive into the edge of aerospace innovation.

Episode Highlights
  • Survival in the Outback: Why pilots in the Australian bush carry knives instead of pistols

  • From Helicopters to EVTOLs: The evolution of Heliflite's business model

  • XTI and Long-Range VTOL: Why Heliflite is betting on extended range and real-world usability

  • Urban vs. Regional Air Mobility: Unique Australian geography and economic distribution

  • New Buyers, New Markets: How modern airframes are attracting non-traditional aviation customers

  • Market Forecast: Why Rob believes Australia's VTOL market will grow by 30%

    • Key Points with Timestamps
    • [00:00:03] Survival flying over the Australian outback: "Just a long knife and water"

    • [00:01:30] Introduction to Heliflite Australia and their 50-year legacy with Robinson helicopters

    • [00:02:40] Rob’s aviation background and all-helicopter focus

    • [00:03:53] John’s story of carrying a pistol while flying over Darwin

    • [00:04:23] Heliflite’s alignment with Robinson and Ascent Drone Systems

    • [00:05:09] Urban vs. Regional UAM in Australia: “Wealth is dispersed over 500 nm”

    • [00:06:44] Target destinations: Bathurst, Newcastle, Wollongong (100–400 nm from Sydney)

    • [00:07:19] Helicopter range and comfort: 200–400 nm typical

    • [00:07:55] Advantages of XTI and long-range VTOL for regional connections

    • [00:08:56] Heliflite’s roadmap: Supporting new airframes like R88 and AW09

    • [00:09:37] Australia’s helicopter density: 2,500 helicopters for 26M people

    • [00:10:12] Market growth drivers: New airframes attracting new customers

    • [00:11:03] Total addressable market projected to expand by 30%

      • Guest Bio: Rob Bentley Johnston

      Rob Bentley Johnston is the Director at Heliflite Australia, a company with a nearly 50-year legacy as one of the world’s first Robinson helicopter distributors. Rob brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in vertical aviation, with thousands of flight hours logged across Australia. A staunch advocate for helicopter-based infrastructure and now long-range VTOL solutions, Rob is at the forefront of bringing next-gen aircraft technology to the Australian market, particularly in regional applications.

       

      About Heliflite

      Heliflite is one of the longest-serving and most respected helicopter distributors in the Southern Hemisphere, proudly representing Robinson Helicopter Company for nearly five decades. Headquartered in Australia, Heliflite specializes in the sale, service, and support of rotary-wing aircraft across both urban and remote regions. With a strong focus on safety, innovation, and customer service, Heliflite also partners with emerging aviation technologies—including drones and long-range VTOL aircraft—to lead the next generation of vertical flight solutions.

       

      Notable Quotes

      "We're a little bit tougher down there, so they didn't give us a 9 mil. They just gave us a long knife." – Rob Bentley Johnston

      "Our wealth is more dispersed over a 500 nautical mile range, not a 90 mile radius like the U.S." – Rob Bentley Johnston

      "The aviation market is at a hockey stick point — we're watching it lift off right now." – Rob Bentley Johnston

      "What excites me is seeing new helicopters bring in people who were never even in aviation before." – Rob Bentley Johnston

      "XTI is using existing technologies, making certification faster and user benefits more immediate." – Rob Bentley Johnston

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      Hangar X StudiosBy John Ramstead