”‹Stratford-based Sikorsky”™s Rig Approach ”“ a retrofittable system for bringing its S-92 helicopters toward offshore platforms ”“ in April won approval for use by Transport Canada Civil Aviation.
Termed a “functionality” by Sikorsky, Rig Approach was first used successfully in 2013.
“Rig Approach is a first of its kind functionality on the S-92 helicopter that provides helicopter operators with an automated approach to offshore rigs and platforms,” Sikorsky said in a statement.
Sikorsky has delivered more than 240 S-92 helicopters throughout the world. In 2014, Sikorsky marked the 10-year anniversary of the S-92. The fleet has reached more than 800,000 flight hours, with more than 90 percent of those hours providing offshore oil and gas worker transportation.
Sikorsky developed Rig Approach in collaboration with Louisiana-based helicopter services company PHI Inc., which operates Sikorsky helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico, providing transportation to offshore oil workers to and from the platforms there. PHI Inc. flew the first operational Rig Approach flight in November 2013.
