Thaindian News

Hyderabad, March 20 (IANS) US-based Sikorsky Global Helicopters will display its S-92 Legacy of Heroes (LOH) chopper, whose cabins are built here, across five Indian cities from March 26.

Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp, will mount a static display of the S-92 in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Mumbai, a company statement said Tuesday.

A six-member crew will conduct briefings during the tour to highlight the multi-mission capability of the aircraft, which includes search and rescue (SAR) missions as well as a variety of transportation missions for accessing offshore oil and gas rigs, coastal surveillance, emergency medical transport and VIP transportation.

The global tour of the LOH commenced in the US in September last year. Since then, it has visited Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand.

“The S-92 Legacy of Heroes tour to India has a special significance, as cabins for the S-92 are manufactured in Hyderabad. With India serving as a global manufacturing base for this aircraft, it is a homecoming for the helicopter,” said Air Vice Marshal (retd) Arvind Walia, Sikorsky’s executive vice president for India and South Asia.

“With their multi-mission capabilities, helicopters will play a significant role in India’s continued infrastructure development, especially for offshore oil operations, SAR missions and coastal surveillance,” Walia added.

The worldwide fleet of 152 S-92 helicopters has accumulated more than 400,000 flight hours since deliveries began in 2004. The S-92 is the only helicopter to have been certified to FAA/EASA part 29 rigorous airworthiness standards without exception or waiver.