Sikorsky has secured another prospective commercial customer for its S-92 19-seat helicopter. Offshore operator Era Aviation has placed deposits on three aircraft to serve large oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico. Sikorsky says Era has requested the first delivery slots available in 2003.
Canadian offshore operator Cougar Helicopter signed a deposit agreement for the first S-92, with options for up to four more. Sikorsky then secured similar deals with Vancouver-based scheduled helicopter airline Helijet, Norway's Aircontactgruppen and Finland's Copterline. So far, the company has agreements covering 18 commercial S-92s.
The S-92 is currently scheduled for certification late next year, with deliveries beginning in early 2003.
Source: Flight International
