S-92

China’s CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company (COHC) has signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft to purchase two S-92 helicopters.

The order was announced in June and signed at the China Helicopter Exposition event held last week.

The two rotorcraft are scheduled for delivery in December 2014 and March 2015.

Incorporating numerous safety features, including a flaw-tolerant design, the multi-mission S-92 was certified to FAA/EASA harmonised Part 29 requirements, as amended through Amendment 47, and is the only aircraft to hold such certification.

The rotorcraft performs several missions that include offshore oil worker transportation, head of state transport, search-and-rescue operations and airline services.

Sikorsky Global Helicopters vice-president Ed Beyer said: "COHC is one of our newer customers, so we are proud to say that all three major offshore oil service providers in China will now be operating Sikorsky helicopters.

"The offshore oil market in China is growing rapidly."

"The offshore oil market in China is growing rapidly, and the S-92 helicopter has proven to be a reliable and safe performer around the world."

Sikorsky is set to deliver its 200th S-92 helicopter this year, and the S-92 global fleet is currently approaching 590,000 flight hours.

Meanwhile, Yunnan Jingchen, which recently received Chinese Government approval to establish a general aviation company named the Ruili Helicopter, has placed anorder for an S-92 helicopter for use in transporting corporate and government VIPs.

The new S-92 is scheduled for delivery in November 2015 and will be the second operated by Jingchen. The first helicopter was ordered in 2012 and received in June 2013.

Jingchen is set to take delivery of a new Sikorsky S-76D in December 2013.


Image: The two S-92 rotorcraft are scheduled for delivery in December 2014 and March 2015. Photo: file image.

Defence Technology