FAA approves new platform approach system for Sikorsky S-92 helicopters

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a new platform approach system for the Sikorsky’s S-92 helicopter.

The development allows the rotorcraft to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by an estimated 60% and facilitates safer operations under difficult weather and operating conditions.

Sikorsky has developed the new safety feature in partnership with PHI, a Sikorsky customer that operates S-92 and S-76 helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico to provide transportation to offshore oil workers.

Sikorsky stated that the ‘Rig Approach’ can be installed in an already operational aircraft and will be available as an option on the S-92 rotorcraft.

Sikorsky Commercial Programs director Dan Hunter said that the new ‘Rig Approach’ feature takes the guesswork out of the equation when a pilot is flying out to an oil platform and provides a ‘hands off’ approach that significantly increases the safety of the aircraft.

"Sikorsky continues to hold safety as its highest priority, and we are excited to bring ‘Rig Approach’ to our customers," Hunter said.

PHI chief pilot Paul Perkins said the ‘Rig Approach’ would play a significant role in its S-92 IFR operations by providing the crew with automation that reduces the workload at critical times during the instrument arrival procedure, as well as additional barriers to controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

"We flew more than 19,000 hours of IFR operations last year and will increase that number in 2013," Perkins added.

Sikorsky conducted series of certification flight testing for S-92 in 2011, then worked with the FAA to provide a path for certification.

FAA officials flew the helicopter in February for the certification review.

The S-92 helicopter has safety features that include a flaw-tolerant design, and it performs head of state missions, search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, as well as transportation for utility and airline passengers.

To date, the S-92 fleet has grown to 170 aircraft and has logged more than 530,000 flight hours since it entered into service in 2004.

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Image: The new platform approach system for S-92 will allow the rotorcraft to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by an estimated 60%. Photo: courtesy of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.