The increasing popularity of helicopters as a business tool has prompted Sikorsky to start a dedicated helicopter fractional ownership programme in the USA, with its 15-seat S-76C+.
The programme, dubbed Sikorsky Shares, is due to begin soon and will be offered initially within the north-east region of the USA, based in New York. The manufacturer plans to extend it across the country at a later date.
Unlike other fractional ownership programmes, in which aircraft are sold in shares, Sikorsky customers will buy "flight units", paying in zones for the distance travelled. Sikorsky says this allows users to manage their time and travel needs more effectively because the cost is determined by the journey's length and not the time spent in flight. An S-76 quarter share will allow the customer up to 260 flight units, with top-up units available at a set price. Services such as fuel, professional scheduling and dispatch are also included.
Sikorsky claims to have received substantial interest in the programme since it was unveiled this year following its acquisition of New York-based S-76 operator AAG. The S-76+ fleet will be used to support the programme.
Bell Helicopters, also hoping to emulate the success of business aircraft fractional ownership programmes, is holding talks with UK helicopter operator First Heli Network (FHN). FHN would supply a range of models, including the 206B, JetRanger, LongRanger, 407 and 430 for Bell's fractional ownership programme, planned to start by the end of the year.
"Fractional ownership offers all the proven benefits of modern helicopters without the burden of ownership," says FHN group managing director Tony Easton.
The Dorset, UK-based company, which says it has signed up "a number of customers", expects corporate helicopter use to increase at a "staggering rate" as people realise its potential.
Source: Flight International
