sikorsky helicopter

Bond Aviation, the British helicopter operator and subsidiary of World Helicopters Group, has signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft to buy 16 S-92 helicopters to expand its offshore oil and gas exploration support activities worldwide.

Bond Aviation said the order marks the largest one-time acquisition of the long-range, medium-lift S-92 helicopters, which entered the market in September 2004.

Sikorsky Global Helicopters President Carey Bond said: "We are deeply honoured by the Bond Aviation Group’s confidence in Sikorsky and our S-92 helicopter, which we see expressed by this significant firm order."

"We are delighted to have Bond join the family of S-92 operators around the world who have selected a proven and reliable aircraft," Bond said.

S-92 helicopters feature equipment and systems required for North Sea operations conforming to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirement. It features five flotation devices, two auto-deployable life rafts, satellite flight following communications, and a main rotor blade ice protection system.

World Helicopters Group CEO James Drummond said: "Bond is delighted to announce the order of 16 new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters."

"The introduction of the S-92s represents the next stage in Bond’s growth and fleet development for both UK and international operations, such as oil and gas and search and rescue, for which the S-92 is ideally designed," Drummond said.

"It is a proven and flexible platform that will provide the performance and range required to operate in these environments whilst delivering the highest standards of safety and comfort for its crew and passengers."

"We look forward to working with Sikorsky to introduce the new aircraft, the first of which we expect in 2013," Drummond said.

The delivery of the helicopters is scheduled for mid 2013 and will continue at a rate of four to five per year, with the initial helicopter placed in service in the North Sea and the next is expected to be used in Australasia.

 

Image: S-92 helicopter is capable of performing offshore oil and gas and search and rescue operations. Photo: Sikorsky.