PHI

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Airbus Helicopters and PHI sign for 20 H175 and 8 H160 helicopters.

Posted by dgualdo on 12/09/2023
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, Offshore, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Marignane, 12 September 2023

Airbus Helicopters and PHI Group (PHI) have signed a framework agreement that includes commitments for 20 super-medium H175 helicopters and 8 H160s to serve the energy market worldwide, including in the US.

These 28 state-of-the-art helicopters will better position PHI to respond to the energy market’s expected growing offshore transportation needs.These commitments are composed of firm orders as well as purchase options that PHI may exercise during the course of the framework agreement.

“PHI strives to lead the industry in operating the safest and most reliable fleet of helicopters.  This agreement is a component of our broader strategy to bring new technology into an industry that has experienced a strong rebound after years of underinvestment.  We look forward to our continued partnership with Airbus as we prepare to enter these aircraft into service with our customers around the world,” said Scott McCarty, CEO of PHI Group.

“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with PHI, a company recognized in the industry for its leadership in innovation and safety. We thank them for renewing their confidence in the H160 and for adding the H175, for their long-range missions, to their growing fleet. At a time when passenger safety, economic competitiveness, and energy efficiency are key to conquering any market, the H160 and the H175 are reliable options for the years to come and we look forward to supporting their operations worldwide,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. 

PHI has been supporting the energy industry for 74 years. Today, PHI operates over 200 helicopters across the globe serving a number of markets, including energy and air medical.  PHI’s Airbus fleet consists of H125, H135, H145, H160 and H175 family helicopters – with the H175 being the latest addition.

In service since 2015, Airbus’ H175 belongs to the super-medium class of helicopters, combining long-range with smooth flight qualities, making it the perfect solution for several mission profiles, including offshore crew change, public services, and  private and business aviation. 54 H175s currently in service have accumulated around 195,000 flight hours, of which 170,000 are flying for the energy sector.

Designed as a multi-role helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions, the H160 integrates Airbus’ latest technological innovations. With its light maintenance plan, the H160 optimises operating costs and offers a new standard in availability. The helicopter is powered by two of the latest Arrano engines from Safran Helicopter Engines that offer a 15% reduction in fuel burn. Both the H175 and H160 are already certified to fly with as much as 50% sustainable aviation fuel

Airbus – Shell selects H160 for operation by PHI in Gulf of Mexico

Posted by dgualdo on 16/02/2021
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, Offshore, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Marignane, 15 February 2021

International energy group Shell has selected leading US offshore helicopter operator PHI to operate four Airbus H160s to service a support contract in the Gulf of Mexico.

The contract marks the entry into the oil and gas market of the H160 with a wealth of design features promising new levels of safety, comfort and schedule reliability in offshore operations.

The three companies – Airbus, PHI and Shell – are cooperating in a unique partnership. In a pioneering move, Airbus will provide one H160 ahead of final deliveries to PHI and Shell for a year-long route-proving programme to enable the operator and the final customer to familiarize themselves with the type’s advanced features and mitigate the normal challenges around entry into service.

At PHI it will be based at Houma, Louisiana and join a large company fleet of H125s and H135s deployed in  emergency medical service throughout the United States, as well as two H145s operating for Shell on pipeline survey work in Louisiana, and two H145s flying the world’s longest harbour pilot shuttle in Mackay, Australia.

Airbus Helicopters Executive Vice President Global Business, Ben Bridge, said: “We greatly appreciate the innovative thinking of our customers in formulating this partnership around the H160 which will begin a new era of safety, reliability and environmental performance in the medium class of offshore operations.”

PHI Aviation Managing Director, Keith Mullett said: “We are proud to be playing a key role in the entry into service of the highly advanced H160 in the offshore sector and we look forward to bringing a step change in operating standards through the confidence building route-proving exercise agreed with our partners Airbus and Shell.”

Shell Aircraft Vice President, Tony Cramp said: “Shell welcomes the opportunity to embrace new aviation technology and introduce this highly advanced and efficient aircraft to safely service our vibrant and growing offshore business in the US Gulf of Mexico.”

Shell General Manager – Supply Chain Deepwater, Viet Van added: “The emissions reductions that the H160 provides help us continue to deliver crude and natural gas with the smallest carbon footprint of our global deepwater portfolio, and are another important step to meeting our goal of zero net emissions by 2050.”

With 68 patents, the H160 is the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter and features an unprecedented suite of pilot aids delivered through its Helionix avionics which substantially reduces crew workload and decreases the risk of pilot error.

They include the world’s first ground helipad assisted take-off procedure, a vortex ring state pre-alerting system and a recovery mode to automatically regain steady flight in difficult circumstances.

The H160 is powered by two of the latest Arrano engines from Safran Helicopter Engines and incorporates an embedded monitoring system and a redundancy of sensors, and can be maintained autonomously far from base. The design emphasises robust corrosion defence specifically envisaging offshore missions.

Helijet and PHI enter into Sikorsky S-76C++ Fleet Upgrade Arrangement.

Posted by dgualdo on 12/01/2018
Posted in: Website NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – 11 January 2018

Helijet and PHI enter into Sikorsky S-76C++ Fleet Upgrade Arrangement.

Richmond, B.C. Canada (January 11, 2018): Helijet International Inc. (“Helijet”) based in Richmond, B.C. Canada has entered into a Letter of Intent for the procurement and supply of up to six (6) newer model Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters with PHI, Inc. (“PHI”) based in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA.
The companies have signed definitive agreements for the delivery and acceptance of the first three Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters which will be prepared at PHI’s Lafayette maintenance facilities for delivery to Helijet during the first and second quarters of 2018.
PHI will tailor the aircraft to Helijet’s specifications, including a complete re-paint to company livery, avionics changes, and selected aircraft operating equipment prior to being added to Helijet’s fleet for scheduled and general charter operating services in Canada. Helijet will redesign and refurbish the 12-passenger cabin interiors of the three aircraft. Additional aircraft deliveries will be subject to respective Company board approvals.
Danny Sitnam, Helijet’s CEO stated: “Helijet has been planning its aircraft fleet expansion and upgrade for the past 24 months, and is now committed to bringing in newer, more advanced technology to the communities it serves. We are very pleased that we can accomplish this initiative in concert with an aviation world leader such as PHI.”
PHI’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dave Stepanek expressed: “It is an absolute pleasure to work with Danny and his team. Their long history operating the S-76 with an excellent passenger service operation makes participating in this fleet upgrade even more exciting. We know the level of professionalism at Helijet and know they will maintain and operate our S-76C++s to the highest industry standards.” Helijet and PHI are long-standing and experienced air operators utilizing the Sikorsky family of helicopters and will continue to work collaboratively to better accommodate their respective fleet rationalization in the ever-changing market place.

HeliExpo2015 – PHI’s AW139 Fleet Passes 25,000 Flight Hours Milestone.

Posted by dgualdo on 04/03/2015
Posted in: Heli Events, Reportages, Photo Portraits, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS. Tagged: , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – 3rd March 2015

PHI’s AW139 Fleet Passes 25,000 Flight Hours Milestone

A fleet of ten AW139s achieved this milestone performing offshore transportation missions in the Gulf of Mexico

PHI has been operating AW139s since 2011.
Worldwide AW139 fleet has now passed 1,165,000 flying hours

Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland announced today that PHI’s AW139 fleet has passed a key milestone of 25,000 flight hours. The important result was achieved by a fleet of ten helicopters performing offshore transportation missions in the Gulf of Mexico since 2011, with the PHI AW139 fleet leader aircraft having accrued more than 3,500 flight hours in less than 4 years of operation.

PHI has provided a significant contribution to the continuous enhancement of the capabilities and mission reliability of the type, and the overall dispatch reliability is now exceeding greater than 90%. PHI participated since the beginning in the AW139 Maintenance Improvement Team that provides technical expertise to improve the maintenance schedule of the aircraft and knowledge of operational issues related to operating in the demanding Gulf of Mexico environment.

The partnership between AgustaWestland and PHI has been critical also to the continuous development of support solutions in the Gulf of Mexico area, such as the establishment of the AgustaWestland Supply Center in Broussard (LA) in 2013 for the support of the AW139 offshore fleet.

The event marks a major achievement for the AW139 intermediate helicopter model, which is the best in its class with a 56% share of the world market, and follows last year’s one million flight hours milestone for the global fleet of AW139s. The strong partnership with PHI has significantly contributed to guarantee the required level of mission effectiveness through support services and maximize the benefits of operating the best in class AW139.

State-of-the-art technology, outstanding performance, low operating costs and the only helicopter in its class to meet the latest safety standards, have made the AW139 the helicopter of choice in the intermediate twin market. With its power reserve, the AW139 delivers Category A (Class 1) performance from a helipad (elevated or at ground level) at maximum take-off weight with an unmatched one engine inoperative capability.

More than 220 customers from almost 70 countries have ordered approximately 900 AW139 helicopters so far to perform a wide range of roles including offshore transport, EMS/SAR, executive/private transport, law enforcement, utility and government missions. The AW139 benefits from a range of modern, constantly enhanced and tailored support and training capabilities, designed to deliver outstanding mission effectiveness and safety standards whatever the mission, leveraging on the expanding network of AgustaWestland service and training centres worldwide.

PHI is a world leading helicopter services companies supporting the Offshore Oil and Gas, International, Air Medical, and Technical Services industries. The Company’s core business consists of offshore operations in the energy basins around the world. PHI has a long history of operating in the Global Marketplace. In addition to operations in the United States, the company has operated in 43 foreign countries and continues to operate for customers across the globe. PHI helicopters fly 250 miles into the Gulf of Mexico and to locations 200 miles offshore in international waters. PHI’s Headquarters are in Lafayette, Louisiana USA, where daily operations are conducted in conjunction with 45 other PHI heliports nationwide.

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