And It WILL Get Used...

Sikorsky Helikopter has told Aero-News that Norsk Helicopter's third Sikorsky S-92 entered into revenue service earlier this week when it departed from Stavanger Airport, in Sola, Norway, on Monday, January 2. The chopper joins a fleet of two other S-92s that has accumulated 3,206 flight hours in less than a year.

In February 2005, Norsk became the first North Sea oil operator to launch the S-92 into revenue service. Norsk’s third S-92 helicopter will be used under contract with BP Norge and Talisman Energy Norge for employee transport missions to and from oil platforms in the North Sea.

Norsk Helikopter's S-92 fleet has transported 66,100 passengers, 754 tons of baggage and 77 tons of freight, according to Sikorsky.

"Sikorsky’s S-92 helicopter has capacity for 19 passengers, and represents substantial improvements as far as comfort, range, and upgraded safety are concerened. BP is pleased to have started up its operations with the S-92, with all the advantages that this helicopter represents, initial passenger feedback following the first flights has been very positive," said Mr. Jan Erik Geirmo, BP Norge AS' Senior Communications Advisor.

As was reported in Aero-News, it wasn't long ago that North Sea company celebrated another milestone, significant in its own right: a fleet with over 1,000 hours apiece.

Particularly useful to the offshore oil environment is the Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) that comes standard on all S-92 helicopters. The system meets the Federal Aviation Administration’s latest and most stringent all-weather flight safety standards.

RIPS allows the S-92 to launch into known icing conditions that might otherwise delay or cancel flight operations. The RIPS determines the temperature and moisture content of the surrounding environment, and applies heat to the main and tail rotor blades to remove any ice buildup.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com