Wed, Feb 24, 2010
Helos To Be Sent To Australia For Offshore Oil And Gas
Transportation
The VIH Aviation Group of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
says it will purchase two new Eurocopter EC225 long-range heavy
helicopters. The new twin-turbine helicopters will support its
expansions plans in the Australian offshore oil and gas sector and
be flown by HNZ Cougar Helicopters Pty. Ltd., a new joint
venture.
“The addition of the new EC225 aircraft to our fleet
signifies our commitment to the rapidly growing offshore oil and
gas industry in Australia and around the world,” commented
Mr. Ken Norie, President and CEO of VIH Aviation Group, at
Heli-Expo in Houston. “VIH is the only Canadian controlled
helicopter operator offering the EC225; we have a long history of
being the Canadian launch customer for Eurocopter’s products,
and are proud to extend this partnership by adding the EC225 to our
fleet.”
The EC225 is the latest generation of the Super Puma/Cougar
family, which has flown more than 4 million flight hours. The EC225
can accommodate up to 19 passengers for offshore crew change
flights.
“We are extremely proud that VIH Aviation Group
continues to place its confidence in Eurocopter and has chosen the
EC225 for oil and gas operations. It marks the return of Cougar to
the Super Puma family on which the company had accumulated such a
recognized expertise in the harsh operational conditions of
Newfoundland. VIH’s selection of the EC225 serves as
confirmation that our product evolutions are well received by the
operators and the market”, remarked Lutz Bertling, President
and CEO of Eurocopter Group.
The EC225 is certified to the latest JAR29 standards, the
state-of-the-art avionics and autopilot system minimize the
pilot’s workload and ensure crews can perform cost effective
missions, with absolute confidence. It is powered by two Turbomeca
Makila 2A1 turbine engines with FADEC digital engine control with
dual duplex channels.
The new helicopters will be flown by HNZ Cougar Helicopters Pty.
Ltd. which is a joint venture launched in October 2009 that
combines the strengths of the Canada’s VIH Aviation Group and
New Zealand’s HNZ Helicopters to serve the Australian
offshore market.
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