News
VIH Aerospace delivering two S-92s to offshore client
July 18, 2016 By VIH Aerospace
VIH Aerospace is in the process of delivering two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters to a leading offshore oil and gas operator, in response to the grounding of the Airbus H225 helicopters pending the investigation of a fatal H225 helicopter crash of the coast of Norway on April 29th, 2016.
The aircraft identified for quick maintenance and modifications turn-around by VIHA expert engineers have required greatly-differing work scopes in order to meet the compressed delivery timeline required by the operator. “The initial S-92 helicopter, which was recently delivered, represented the lesser of the two work scopes; requiring a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), as well as performance of all scheduled inspections, a thorough inspection of all avionics and electrical systems, completion of and/or ensuring all required Airworthiness Directives were addressed, and a variety of detailed airframe repairs were carried out,” explains Jeff Norie, Director of Maintenance for VIH Aerospace.
Norie elaborates, explaining that the second S-92 helicopter has required a more detailed workscope, which also included the SLEP. Additionally, in order to prepare the helicopter for its upcoming deployment, VIH Aerospace’s engineers performed a full conversion from VIP configuration to a Search & Rescue (SAR) and passenger carrier configuration. “This was a very labour intensive and technically specialized project, one that included de-modifying the S-92 and then re-modifying it with mission equipment specific to a SAR role,” explains Norie. Added to this was integration of Supplemental Type Certified equipment such as VIH Aerospace’s Auxiliary Fuel Tank system and SAR console, as well as extensive structural modifications and a complete paint strip and custom paint application.
