PERENCO BOND
Bond Offshore Helicopters' two Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin helicopters have entered service in the UK sector of the southern North Sea to support crew change operations for oil and gas exploration company Perenco, with which it has secured a £45 million ($65 million), five-year contract. The medium, twin-engined aircraft are based on the East Leman gas platform - the only helicopter stationed offshore in the southern North Sea, says Bond - and at Norwich airport. The latest expansion brings Bond's fleet to 14 aircraft.
CHINESE EXPLORER
MD Helicopters has sold an MD 902 Explorer to China's Jiang Su Huaxi Group. The twin-engined helicopter is scheduled for delivery in September and will be used for corporate transport and tourist sightseeing within the Huaxi Village, Jiangyin city area of China.
OFFSHORE AWARD
Norway-based helicopter group Blueway has won its largest contract ever within the offshore sector following the award of an $80 million, five-year deal by Nigerian National Petroleum and Shell Nigeria. Blueway will provide offshore transport for the gas companies through its Caverton DanCopter Nigeria subsidiary, which is jointly owned by DanCopter and its local Nigerian partner, Caverton Helicopters.
NOSE MOUNT APPROVAL
Meeker Aviation and AirFilm Camera Systems have received US supplemental type certification for its Bell 212/412/AB412 helicopter series nose mount that is designed for a camera, sensor and searchlights. The mount will also fit some SuperHuey, Huey II, 210, UH-1N models, says Meeker.
TURKISH HELICOPTERS
Eurocopter has signed an agreement with the Turkish government for two EC145 helicopters. The light, twin-engined aircraft will be delivered in the fourth quarter and will be used for corporate transport and airport security missions.
Source: Flight International
