The brand new S-92 helicopters are carefully rolled out of one of the world’s biggest transport aircraft as they begin their journey to Aberdeen. Babcock Photo
Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore has taken delivery of two brand new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters with a little help from one of the largest aircraft in the world. The S-92s made the journey from the U.S. manufacturers’ Philadelphia plant to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, United Kingdom, inside a massive Antonov An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft.
The size of the Antonov means it isn’t cleared for landing at Aberdeen, and Prestwick is the nearest airport that can accommodate it. From Prestwick, the aircraft were transported by road to Babcock’s Aberdeen hangars.
“These two new aircraft will play a key part in our plan to ensure we continue to deliver world-class services to all our customers,” said Michelle Handforth, managing director of Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore. “The current restrictions on the [Airbus Helicopters] EC225 and AS332 L2 helicopters mean these new S-92s are perfectly placed to deliver mission-critical services, flying men and women safely to their work offshore in the North Sea.”
The distinctive all-white S-92s, which are yet to be painted in Babcock’s blue livery, are currently being prepared for service by expert engineers. Both will complete an exhaustive series of ground and flight tests before they are cleared for passenger flights.
Babcock hopes to have them both ready for operations in the next couple of weeks.
“These new additions to our fleet demonstrate our ability to invest in the latest technology to give our customers the best and safest possible service,” said Handforth. “These new members of our fleet will soon be joined by additional aircraft in the next few weeks, boosting our capability even further.”
