Economic effects of noise abatement regulations on the helicopter industry.

Abstract

This thesis discusses the economic effects of noise abatement regulations on the helicopter industry. Increased manufacturing and operating costs from noise abatement regulations on Sikorsky's S-75 helicopter are estimated. The effects on consumer utilization are also discussed. An appendix compares two independent research studies that used weight estimating relationships and cost estimating relationships to estimate manufacturing costs of the helicopter by subsystem. This thesis proposes that if noise abatement, regulations are imposed on the helicopter industry without lue consideration for future technological improements, helicopter manufacturers, operators of helicopter businesses, and consumers of helicopter services would be adversely affected.