MD Helicopters (MDHI) is at the show fresh from a breakthrough in China with the sale of its first MD Explorer in the country. Guangdong General Aviation (GGAC) will take the twin-engine machine later this year and plans to fly charter missions, mostly around Shanghai Harbour.
The aircraft will be equipped with a complete offshore kit, including floats, life rafts and hoist. GGAC already operates China's first MD600N, which has logged 300h on charter flights in the Pearl River delta.
Pleased
Henk Schaeken, chairman and chief executive of MD Helicopters, says: "We are very pleased to be expanding our relationship with GGAC. China is an important and growing market for our products and we are looking forward to mutual long-term success."
Meanwhile, MDHI expects to achieve another milestone next month when delivery of the 10th MD Explorer to Japan will mark the 100th Explorer to be fielded around the world.
Tomen Aerospace is the customer.
The aircraft will be used primarily for electronic news gathering by Aero Asahi, a prominent operator in the country.
Two additional Explorers operated by Airfast Indonesia will soon have logged 500h of service in the Java Sea, where they are working on behalf of BP in the offshore oil market.
MDHI says the aircraft have achieved a 99% reliability rate and need to be available for operation 24h a day, seven days a week.
Source: Flight Daily News
