ZHUHAI, China – Sikorsky and Zhuhai Helicopter Company (ZHC) today announced a new contract at Airshow China for two Sikorsky S-92^® offshore utility helicopters. The acquisition marks the fourth procurement by ZHC from Sikorsky since 2007. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Zhuhai Helicopter Company (ZHC), a fully-owned subsidiary of China Southern Airlines Ltd., is a leading provider of offshore helicopter service in China, serving both Chinese and Western oil companies. After deliveries in 2013, ZHC will operate five S-92 and 12 S-76^® helicopters of various models, making it the largest Sikorsky commercial fleet operator in Asia and one of the key offshore helicopter operating companies on the Asian offshore oil market.

“We deeply appreciate that our longtime customer in China, Zhuhai, continues to have an unfailing loyalty to our products and service, and we look forward to expanding this cooperation to aircraft maintenance service, personnel training, and material distribution,” said Ed Beyer, Vice President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. “The safety and efficiency of these aircraft, combined with solid support, have contributed to the ongoing trend of Sikorsky helicopters flying into China, our fastest-growing market in the world.”

Mr. RONG, Weiguo, acting president of ZHC, added: “Zhuhai Helicopter Company is experiencing continued growth. As the oldest operator of Sikorsky helicopters in China, Zhuhai looks forward to the opportunities to further develop its relationship with Sikorsky in the future.”

Last year, Zhuhai acquired two S-92 helicopters to support the ever-expanding offshore oil operations in the South China Sea by Zhuhai’s customers. Zhuhai has used Sikorsky helicopters for about 28 years.

Zhuhai Helicopter has a workforce of 98 pilots and 115 maintainers who work from four main operating bases in northern and southern China. Over the past decade ZHC’s business and reputation have continued to grow, and the company has been expanding continually and upgrading its helicopter fleet, which has been turned into an exclusive Sikorsky fleet.

Sikorsky has been highly successful in China for the past decade. Currently, there are 31 S-76 and 4 S-92 helicopters of various configurations flying in China. On China’s intermediate market segment (7,000 to 15,000 lbs gross weight), the S-76 occupies more than 40 percent (the highest) of the segment. The S-92 helicopter continues to gain in popularity and is becoming the helicopter of choice among offshore oil companies.

S-92 helicopters perform search and rescue (SAR) missions as well as a variety of transportation missions for VIPs including Heads of State, offshore oil and gas crews, and utility and airline passengers. The worldwide fleet of 151 S-92 helicopters has accumulated nearly 400,000 flight hours since deliveries began in 2004. The S-92 helicopter was certified to FAA/EASA harmonized Part 29 requirements, as amended through Amendment 47. The S-92 helicopter remains the only aircraft to have been certified to this rigorous airworthiness standard without exception or waiver.

Source and photo: Sikorsky