ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Milestone Aviation Group, the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today at Helicopter Association International’s Heli-Expo that it has financed the delivery of a Sikorsky S-76D to Trinidad and Tobago’s National Helicopter Services Limited (NHSL). The NHSL, which is a joint venture between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago, is the largest helicopter operator in Trinidad and Tobago. The company will use the helicopter to provide offshore services to Repsol, the multinational energy company that operates several natural gas platforms off the coast of Trinidad. This is the first S-76D ever to be put into commercial operation and it is the first delivery from Milestone’s order of 20 firm and option S-76Ds.
“We are delighted to celebrate our partnership with NHSL with the first lease of the world’s first commercially operating S-76D,” said Walter Horsting, Milestone Senior Vice President. “It’s easy to see why there has been such tremendous demand for this aircraft. The 76D builds on Sikorsky’s highly regarded S-76 series and is ideally suited for these types of offshore operations. We are pleased to work with such a first-class operator as the NHSL as they continue to expand their fleet.”
“We are very excited to work with Milestone to add this state-of-the-art aircraft to our growing fleet,” said Joshey Mahabir, General Manager of NHSL. “As the largest operator in Trinidad and Tobago with a firm commitment to safety, we look forward to enhancing our service for our clients at Repsol.”
This is the seventh helicopter in NHSL’s all-Sikorsky fleet. In addition to this new S-76D, the service also operates three S-76A and three S-76C aircraft.
The latest in the highly successful Sikorsky S-76 family of helicopters, the S-76D delivers the same safety, reliability and efficiency as its predecessors, but with faster cruise speed and a more efficient fuel burn. The S-76D baseline equipment includes powerful and efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines; an advanced THALES TopDeck® integrated avionics system and four-axis autopilot; Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) incorporated into fleet monitoring and analysis through Sikorsky Aerospace Services; active vibration control; and all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades. A Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather capability will be available as an option.
The Milestone lease is fully backed by Sikorsky’s comprehensive Parts-by-the-Hour (PBH) and Parts Replacement programs.
Notes to the Editor:
ABOUT MILESTONE AVIATION GROUP
Milestone Aviation Group is the global leader in helicopter leasing. Since launching in August 2010, and as of December 31, 2013, Milestone has acquired 143 aircraft valued at over US$ 2.2 billion and closed leases with 26 operators in over 20 countries on six continents. The company has a forward order book of over 130 firm and option aircraft valued at over US$ 3.0 billion. These delivery positions of in-demand helicopters are made available for lease globally. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide and supports them through 100 per cent operating lease financing. The company provides financing for helicopters, serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. Further information is available at www.milestoneaviation.com.
This press release contains forward‐looking statements. Forward‐looking statements involve uncertainties, risks and assumptions, since these statements include information concerning Milestone’s possible or assumed future results or performance, operations, business strategies, financing plans and potential growth opportunities. Forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and Milestone undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward‐looking statements because of new information, future events or other factors. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward‐looking events and circumstances discussed herein might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance. Milestone’s actual results and performance could differ substantially from those anticipated in its forward‐looking statements.