EASA Certifies Sikorsky S-92 Rig Approach

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of Rig Approach™ for the S-92® helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Rig Approach provides operators with an automated approach to offshore rig and platform landings. Rig Approach is available as an option on the S-92 helicopters, providing a fully coupled and automated approach capability with a higher safety margin than currently is available with any other offshore approach procedure. The feature can be retrofitted to aircraft already operating. Rig Approach was certified by the FAA in May 2013. The National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil and Transport Canada certified Rig Approach earlier this year.

Sikorsky developed Rig Approach in close collaboration with PHI, Inc., an important Sikorsky customer that operates S-92 and S-76® helicopters globally in a range of missions including providing transportation for workers to and from offshore oil platforms.

"Utilizing world-class technology is a priority at PHI," said Lance Bospflug, PHI, Inc., President and Chief Operating Officer. "That's why we collaborated with Sikorsky on the Rig Approach system. We have used Rig Approach for offshore flights for more than a year and a half and we are seeing clear results. This functionality is truly a breakthrough in offshore safety and reliability."

"Reducing cockpit workload is a key safety feature that benefits our customers and their passengers especially under challenging weather and operating conditions," said Dan Hunter, Director, S-92 programs, Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services. "With the European certification of Rig Approach, we expect to see this key functionality adopted in the North Sea and surrounding region through new aircraft or straightforward retrofits to aircraft already operating in the region."

S-92® helicopters are certified to meet the stringent safety requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency. These helicopters perform search and rescue (SAR) missions, head of state missions, as well as a variety of transportation missions for offshore oil and gas crews, utility and airline passengers.