Henderson, Nevada-based software developer Flight Vector, which already has a strong U.S. market, anticipates several opportunities in the Middle East, after attending the Dubai Helishow last year.
“There is a tremendous amount of helicopter services in the Middle East and we believe this will continue to grow, especially considering the socioeconomic climate and affluence within the region,” company founder and CEO Scot Cromer told AIN. “It goes without saying that oil and gas are huge opportunities, and it’s obvious the Middle East is a hotbed for expanded use of helicopters. Our initial information is that our product should be received well.”
Flight Vector offers a suite of software products primarily developed to help manage missions that might include air ambulance transport, ground transport, UAV/UAS tasking, or even management of information as it flows throughout a system. “Our product suits a wide range of industries, including aviation, healthcare, utilities, offshore gas or oil, just to name a few,” Cromer said.
According to its website, Flight Vector offers a suite of products that are designed to meet the needs of the modern communications center and are especially suited to the emergency medical market. Its products are customized for each client, which receives individualized attention from its design team, to ensure that customers have the software they require.
Flight Vector was launched in the early 2000s after Cromer decided to build an improved Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) for an air ambulance provider. He developed the initial product and, over time, needed additional resources, which led to the creation of Flight Vector in its current form.
“Our first customer went live on Jan. 1, 2005, and since then we have grown exponentially," Cromer said. "We have significantly advanced the product over the years and have seen great success in the air and ground ambulance markets. Our product has been utilized by customers in different industries and we continue to see growth outside of the original intention of our software.
Sensing a growing market in the Middle East, Flight Vector officials attended the Dubai Helishow in October. In Saudi Arabia, The Helicopter and Jet Company (THC) is engaged in the rapid buildout of a fleet that is expected to reach around 46 helicopters in 2023, while offshore stalwart Abu Dhabi Aviation and charter specialist Falcon Aviation, both in the UAE, also operate growing fleets. Gulf Helicopters in Qatar is a notable regional player, too, while heli-park operator Air Chateau is on the rise in Dubai.
“The Middle East is a new market for us. We first became aware of the need for our software through some channels that indicated there was a need for our systems in the region. We were invited to attend the show and saw it as an opportunity to assess the potential need for our products and services as well as learn more about the way companies in the region are operating.”
In the U.S., a key focus of Flight Vector’s work is the aeromedical sector, and it is targeting the same growing sector in the Middle East. However, given the growth of tourism, survey, VIP shuttle, and other services in the region, the company is optimistic that other opportunities will arise.
“During our trip to the Dubai Helishow, we learned there are several industries in the region that could benefit from our software,” Cromer said. For example, he added, “We are aware of several aeromedical operators in the Middle East that need the type of software solution we offer.”