An S-92A visited Akron-Canton in July 2007. Photo: Gary Starcher - OPShots Contributor
British helicopter operator Bond Aviation is acquiring 16 Sikorsky S-92 long-range, medium-lift helicopters as it plans a global expansion of its offshore oil and gas exploration support activities.
Announced during the 2012 Heli-Expo in Dallas on Feb. 13, the order is the single largest for the S-92, which entered the market in September 2004.
The sale nearly matches last year’s delivery total of 19 S-92s. Currently the S-92 fleet is at more than 150, about one-third of which are operated by companies based in the North Sea territories for offshore support and search and rescue.
Bond Aviation currently operates 300 helicopters in offshore, emergency medical services and other support functions. Acquired last spring by World Helicopters Group, the company has been in the offshore business since 2002 and is planning to expand that business into the Far East and Australia. Carey Bond, president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters, says the S-92 will serve as the backbone for that expansion, adding the sale followed several months of negotiations.
via Sikorsky Secures Largest Order For S-92 | AVIATION WEEK.
