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.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com