Petroleum Helicopters Inc. (PHI) achieved another industry
milestone this month by surpassing 1,000 flight hours with its
second S-92 helicopter. This achievement comes just one month after
PHI reached 1,000 flight hours on its first S-92.
Norsk Helikopter, an offshore oil company that operates out of
Stavanger, Norway also achieved more than 1,000 flight hours on
both of its S-92 helicopters. Total flight hours for the worldwide
S-92 fleet are projected to exceed 30,000 by September 2006.
"The level of service we are able to provide our customers since
introducing the S-92 into our fleet has increased greatly. The
overall performance, safety and dependability of the S-92 have all
been key factors in our ability to utilize this aircraft so
extensively in such a short period of operating time," said PHI
Chairman and CEO Al A. Gonsoulin.
"Sikorsky is very pleased with the overall launch of the S-92
and the key role that customers such as PHI have played in
furthering the program. This achievement is evidence of the
continued confidence PHI has in our product," said Jeff Pino,
Sikorsky's senior vice president for strategy, marketing and
commercial programs.
PHI signed for two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters on Feb. 7, 2005 at
the Heli-Expo trade show in Anaheim, Calif. In total the company
flies six S-92 helicopters for use in the Gulf of Mexico offshore
oil market.
The S-92 is the first
helicopter in the world certified by the European Aviation Safety
Agency/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) to the latest and most
rigorous safety standards. The S-92 was also the first helicopter
certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to FAR Part
29 Transport Rotorcraft, Amendment 47, the latest U.S. safety
regulations, which mirror the European standards.
The HH-92, a military variant of the S-92, is Sikorsky's
candidate in the U. S. Air Force's Combat Search and Rescue
(CSAR-X) replacement program. Designed and built based on rugged
and proven BLACK HAWK technology, the HH-92 advanced weapons system
offers the best combination of survivability, performance,
interoperability, safety and cost for the vital CSAR-X mission.
The Canadian government has contracted for 28 H-92 helicopters,
designated the CH-148 Cyclone, to conduct a variety of missions
including search and rescue, passenger and cargo transfer, medical
evacuations and tactical transport.