SIKORSKY S-92® HELICOPTERS CERTIFIED TO OPERATE IN MEXICO

Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) has approved the Offshore and Utility Type Certificate for the Sikorsky S-92® helicopter.

STRATFORD, Conn., Nov. 14, 2017/PRNewswire/ -- Mexico's Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) approved the Offshore and Utility Type Certificate for the Sikorsky S-92® helicopter. The certificate enables the operation of S-92 helicopters in Mexico, in all production configurations including offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, as well as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation.

DGAC signed the certificate Nov. 6, capping an intensive three-year effort to introduce the S-92 helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT), to Mexico.

"Sikorsky has been excited to watch the evolution of the offshore oil and gas industry in Mexico," said Sikorsky Vice President, Oil & Gas, David Martin. "As the industry expands into new territory, safe and reliable offshore transportation will ensure they remain on schedule and on budget.  With this new certification of the S-92 aircraft, operators and oil and gas companies can select a true heavy helicopter that has the proven reliability and safety to support their success."

"This moves us another step forward in our overall Latin America strategy," said Sikorsky Vice President, Latin America, Adam Schierholz.  "The region has long had faith in Sikorsky products, specifically the Black Hawk.  It's a natural progression, as oil markets expand in Mexico and Colombia, that the S-92 would start to play a prominent role in that sector." 

The S-92 was certified in Colombia in November 2016.

Sikorsky has delivered nearly 300 S-92 helicopters since 2004. With a best-in-class safety record and industry-leading dispatch availability, the multi-mission S-92 aircraft is the preferred aircraft of its size class for offshore oil worker transportation. These helicopters also perform search and rescue missions, head of state missions, and a variety of transportation missions for utility and airline passengers. 

For more information visit Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services

SIKORSKY CELEBRATES TWO SOUTH KOREAN COAST GUARD CREWS WITH WINGED-S RESCUE AWARDS

As the South Korean Coast Guard prepares to take delivery of its second S-92 helicopter for the critical mission of Search and Rescue, Sikorsky today celebrated two Coast Guard crews with Winged-S Rescue Awards for lifesaving achievement and Search and Rescue response.

Just recently, on Feb. 27, the Korea Coast Guard performed a daytime mission five miles off the coast of South Korea.  A crane accident caused severe injury and head trauma to a crew member on board a fishing boat.  Two security patrol boats, a marine rescue team and an S-92 helicopter were dispatched.  At the scene, rescuers determined that the S-92 helicopter would provide the most efficient life-saving transportation for the struggling victim.  The patient was hoisted into the aircraft and safely transported to a nearby hospital where he is now recovering.

In a challenging night-time environment on June 29, 2015, an S-92 helicopter and Coast Guard crew rescued an injured fisherman who had severely lacerated a hand while hauling in his net.  After evaluating its aerial fleet, the Coast Guard determined the S-92 was the most capable aircraft for the mission. It subsequently launched the S-92 helicopter, retrieved the wounded fisherman, and flew him to a hospital in time to save a nearly amputated extremity.

To recognize these lifesaving achievements, Sikorsky’s President Dan Schultz presented members of the South Korean Coast Guard with two prestigious Winged-S Rescue Awards. Beginning in 1950, the Winged-S Rescue Award Program is meant to honor all those who perform rescues flying a Sikorsky helicopter. Through this award, Sikorsky gratefully acknowledges the humanitarian efforts of all pilots and crewmembers that put themselves in harm's way to save others, fulfilling Igor Sikorsky's vision of the helicopter.

Just one month after delivery in 2014, the aircraft was called into action to help rescue survivors of the MV Sewol ferry, which capsized off the southern coast. During the rescue efforts, the Korean Coast Guard flew 220 missions with its S-92 helicopter, transporting rescue divers and material to the scene of the accident.

“The S-92 helicopter has performed exceptionally in every mission, and is very reliable,” said a Republic of Korea Coast Guard spokesperson. “During the difficult time of the ferry incident, we did not miss a single mission.”

Since then, the Korean Coast Guard has already saved 30 lives, flying search and rescue and emergency medical transport missions with the S-92.

Sikorsky’s President Dan Schultz also presented a framed photograph in front of the Coast Guard’s new S-92 aircraft.  The inscription quoted Igor Sikorsky and reads, “Always remember that the reputation of an aircraft is not due to the manufacturer alone, but primarily to the men and women who fly that machine...the aircrews who demonstrate their skill and dedication on a daily basis around the world."

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.