Helicopters - Brazilian H225s still grounded - Rotor&Wing

 

Offshore

S-92 Replaces Super Puma for Brazilian Offshore Operator

By S.L. Fuller | November 18, 2016

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

A PHI Sikorsky S-92A cruises over an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin

GE Capital Aviation Services’ Milestone Aviation Group Ltd. continues its relationship with Omni Táxi Aéreo S.A. (OTA) with the lease of a Sikorsky S-92, the company said on Wednesday. The helicopter will support Petrobras’ offshore operations in Brazil. This marks the 12th aircraft Milestone has leased to OTA, who was the company’s first lessee six years ago.

On a flexible one-year lease, the Sikorsky S-92 will serve in the place of OTA’s Airbus Helicopters H225 fleet, which is currently out of service with an unknown return date. The Airbus H225 is a heavy-lift rotorcraft with five blades, while the Sikorsky S-92 is a four-blade medium-lift. Both can carry 19 passengers and have similar endurance abilities. The Airbus H225 does have a nearly 1,000-pound advantage in useful load.

OTA is affiliated with Omni Helicopters International S.A. (OHI), a helicopter leaser and seller itself. OHI has eight Airbus rotorcraft and two Sikorsky S-76C++s available for sale and lease, but no S-92s. OTA’s fleet includes a variety of Sikorsky, Airbus and Leonardo aircraft. Founded in 2001, the company provides services in Brazil for oil and gas, emergency medical services and seismic support services.