Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the baseline delivery of six S-76C++™ helicopters to SonAir Servico Aereo S.A. (SonAir) for support of offshore oil operations in Angola. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
SonAir has been flying Sikorsky products for more than 15 years. Currently, SonAir owns 15 S-76® aircraft for offshore oil missions in Angola and has contracted for three new S-76C++ helicopters for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Those aircraft are expected to arrive in Angola later this year, bringing SonAir’s total Sikorsky fleet to 18 aircraft.
The S-76C++ helicopter is the most recent in-service model in the S-76 aircraft line. In addition to serving the offshore oil and SAR markets, the helicopter’s multi-mission capabilities include VIP transport including head of state, emergency medical transport, and civil defense.
“The S-76 helicopter has continued to demonstrate exceptional performance in responding to the most critical market requirements,” said Carey Bond, President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters . “ The aircraft delivers quiet comfort, spacious cabin interiors, enhanced safety and reliability, operating cost efficiencies, and superior mission versatility, which is why customers like SonAir continue to fly it.”
“Reliability and safety are key priorities in the operation of our fleet, and the S-76C++ helicopter has maintained high marks in these categories,” said Joao Andrade, Chief Executive Officer of SonAir , a subsidiary of Sonangol (National Oil Company) for air transportation, supporting the oil industry in Angola.
The S-76C++ helicopter first entered service in 2005 and features powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines with inlet barrier filters to protect the engines against erosion and environmental contaminants, a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS), and a quiet main gearbox utilizing Quiet Zone™ technology that significantly reduces interior noise levels without weight, maintenance or Time Between Overhaul penalties.
Since its introduction, more than 200 S-76C++ aircraft have been delivered to customers worldwide. The S-76 helicopter family will continue with deliveries of the new S-76D™ helicopter beginning in 2012.
Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a Sikorsky company, develops and produces civil certified helicopters and their derivatives.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
[mappress] Source: Sikorsky, June 21, 2011;