S-92 HELICOPTER SAVING LIVES ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Sikorsky recognized North Slope Borough in March 2017 for its critical role in executing life savings missions and ensuring safety with the S-92 helicopter. Sikorsky President Dan Schultz presented the recognition to North Slope Borough Director April Brower and team members in a private ceremony at the 2017 Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show.

NSB is located above the Arctic Circle and experiences some of the harshest cold weather conditions in the world, with temperatures as low as -55 degrees Celsius with the wind chill. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, NSB has a total area of 94,796 square miles of which 88,695 are land and 6,101 are water, thus the need for a long-range, all-weather capable aircraft.

Since September 2016, the NSB search and rescue team has performed nearly a dozen missions, helping both individuals and entire communities in compromising situations, all while facing extreme weather conditions.

North Slope Borough took delivery of it’s first-ever Sikorsky S-92 helicopter in September 2016 and dedicated the final months of the year to training the crews and response teams for familiarization of their new aircraft capabilities. Since then, the NSB search and rescue team has performed nearly a dozen missions, helping both individuals and entire communities in compromising situations, all while facing extreme weather conditions.

One critical mission occurred on January 30, when a storm in Kaktovik, Alaska, 272 miles east of Barrow near the Canadian coast, had a series of storms with sustained winds of 85 mph. These weather conditions caused damage to the water supply by producing a rapid water leak, eliminating 30 days of water in just 24 hours for the population of almost 250 residents. Also, the force of the elements knocked a building off its foundation and onto a fuel storage tank, creating a fuel spill that jeopardized the safety of those in the nearby community. To combat the casualties, the NSB S-92 helicopter was dispatched to the scene, transporting NSB Public Works and Spill Response personnel who successfully repaired the fuel tank, cleaned the spill and restored water supply for the entire community.   

MD HELICOPTERS’ SINGLE-ENGINE BLOCK 1 GLASS COCKPIT UPGRADE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES CRITICAL FAA MILESTONE

MD HELICOPTERS’ FIRST ALL-GLASS COCKPIT COMPLETES TIA; REMAINS ON TRACK TO RECEIVE FAA APPROVAL FOR A 600N TYPE CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT

MD Helicopters, Inc.  (MDHI) announces successful completion of all FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) requirements for certification of its first all-glass cockpit for the MD 600N. The MD 600N is the first of the company’s four (4) single-engine models to feature the Block 1 cockpit upgrade and complete TIA. With the successful completion of the TIA milestone, MDHI remains on track to receive FAA approval for a 600N Type Certificate amendment this summer. 

MD Helicopters announced a comprehensive cockpit modernization effort at the 2017 HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas. Together with industry-leaders Aspen Avionics and Howell Instruments, MDHI’s Integrated Product Team was able to help secure TSO for the new cockpit components, paving the way for an accelerated review and approval process.

“It is a truly an exciting time at MD Helicopters,” said Craig Kitchen, Chief Commercial Officer for MD Helicopters. “Inspired by the vision of the CEO, our internal teams have never been more aligned or more focused on ensuring our operators fly not only the safest aircraft in their class, but the most advanced.”

Concurrent to the MD 600N effort, MD Helicopters is also integrating the Block 1 cockpit into the MD 530F. FAA review and approval for a Type Certificate change for new 369FF models is expected later this summer.

MD Helicopters’ standard single-engine glass cockpit will feature:

• Howell Instruments Electronic Flight Instrument System
• Garmin G500 (GDU620) PFD/MFD
• Garmin GTN 650 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS
• L-3 ESI 500 Electronic Standby Instrument

Previously announced sales to Sapura Aero (MD 600N), Fresno County Sherriff’s Office (MD 530F), and Prince George’s County Police Department (MD 520N) will all be delivered with the Block 1 glass cockpit.

Mike Bartlett, Vice President of Product Engineering for MD Helicopters commented, “Professionalism, teamwork and subject matter expertise has been the cornerstone of this modernization effort. We have cultivated a genuine symbiotic relationship between our internal engineering, experimental flight test, and certification organizations, our industry partners, and the FAA that has played an integral role in expediting both the development and the certification effort for this production modification.”  

“This was an aggressive schedule that demanded clear and open communication both internally and with the FAA,” said Richard Beausoleil, Director of Engineering Services for MD Helicopters, Inc. “We are pleased with how this program is progressing through FAA certification, and have benefitted significantly from our great working relationship with the FAA through every phase of this project.”

“Our single-engine operators will love the new cockpit,” Kitchen concludes. “Regardless of the mission, the Block 1 glass system is a safe, affordable solution that reduces pilot workload and improves overall operational efficiency in even the most demanding environments.”

All MDHI single engine Type Certificates – to include 600N, 369FF, 520N and 369E – are anticipated to meet all documentation, testing and FAA review requirements for Type Certificate amendment within 12-months.