The Bristow Helicopter Group signed a contract on 14 July at Farnborough with Sikorsky for three S-92 and six S-76C++ helicopters, exercising options already on the manufacturer's books.
Bristow's senior vice-president western hemisphere Mark Duncan says the contract allows for the S-76 orders to be upgraded to the improved S-76D as soon as it becomes available, which he says would probably see it in service with his company by early 2011. Duncan says that would make Bristow the first operator to use the S-76D in oil-support operation.
Meanwhile, the S-76C++ has been fitted with a more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engine with an inlet barrier filter to protect it against environmental contaminants, a new health and usage monitoring system and a quiet gearbox. When the -76D comes on line it will have a new engine, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S, designed for helicopters in this category.
The S-76s and S-92s will be used in "offshore transport" roles, says Duncan.
The S-92 has now passed the 100,000 flying hours mark for the world fleet, which numbers 78 helicopters in service with CHC Helicopters, PHI, and Bristow/Norsk.
Source: Flight International
