Offshore Operator's Fleet Will Increase To 11

Sikorsky Aircraft tells ANN the helomaker recently sold four additional S-92 helicopters to the Bristow Group Inc., which exercised options to purchase the aircraft under an existing sales agreement. With the sale, Bristow increased its firm deliveries from seven to 11 S-92s, and added 10 more optional aircraft to the contract.

Bristow will use the S-92s to fulfill offshore transportation requirements in various parts of the world. In addition, Bristow anticipates potentially using several of its future deliveries or options for commercial search and rescue requirements.

"The S-92 fleet is approaching 45,000 flight hours after just more than two years in service, and some operators are exceeding 180 hours per month. There is unprecedented demand for the S-92, and this additional Bristow order is further expression of the confidence that our customers have in the aircraft," said Stephen B. Estill, Sikorsky Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

The S-92 was the first helicopter in the world certified to the latest Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency/Joint Aviation Authorities joint airworthiness safety standards.

Sikorsky says the S-92 has a proven operational readiness rate in excess of 98 percent. Current operators of the S-92 helicopter are experiencing a significantly reduced manpower requirement.

The aircraft won the Collier Trophy as the greatest aerospace achievement of 2002, and features a Rotor Ice Protection System available on S-92 helicopter military variants as well as commercial aircraft.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com, www.bristowgroup.com/