Delivery Expected Later This Month

In a ceremony held at Sikorsky Aircraft this week, the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Department of Xunta de Galicia in Spain celebrated their purchase of two S-76C+ helicopters. Delivery of both aircraft is scheduled for later this month.

One of the two new S-76C+ helicopters that the Xunta de Galicia will use for search and rescue missions.
 
Representatives from the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Department attending the ceremony included Mr. E.C. Lopez Veiga, Minister of the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Department, and Mr. Fernando Novoa, the Technical Director of Xunta's search and rescue service.

Steve Estill, Vice President Worldwide Sales and Bud Grebey, Vice President Communications and Marketing were also on hand representing Sikorsky (below).

The Xunta de Galicia's search and rescue service provides Coast Guard coverage off northwest Spain. Created in 1990, it was the first of its kind in Spain and the second in Europe.

The service in the past had leased its rescue and maritime patrol helicopters, but selected the S-76C+ on April 2, 2004 as the first helicopter it will own. The S-76C+ was chosen among several competitors because of its superior technical and economic merits and its close compatibility with Xunta's mission requirements. The S-76C+ aircraft will be shipped to Spain via air freighter.

The Xunta's main mission is search and rescue over sea and land and fisheries surveillance and inspection. Secondary missions include support of emergency medical services, civil protection, security activities and general logistics work.

The S-76C+ also meets the customer's requirement for dash speeds of more than 155 ktas, even when fully equipped for search and rescue. The aircraft is also capable of rescues at ranges of up to 235 nm.

Other customers of the S-76 include the Spanish Air Force, which flies eight S-76C helicopters.

The S-76C+ is a venerable fixture in offshore oil, corporate, search and rescue and EMS activities across the globe. Close to 600 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters are currently operating in 44 countries by 192 operators, accumulating over three and a half million flight hours with an extraordinary safety record, while providing the best combination of operating costs and performance in their weight class.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com