Airbus Helicopters, Pawan Hans Ink Pact to Introduce H145 & H225 Rotorcraft
In helicopters segment, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions across the world. Pawan Hans, on its parts, has so far cumulatively flown more than 1 million hours and has had 2.5 million landings on its fleet since its inception.
Airbus Helicopters, the Euro 64 billion global leader in aeronautics, space and related services and Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), a New Delhi-headquartered Mini Ratna-I category State-run helicopter service company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to collaborate on the future introduction of two new categories of rotorcraft in the PHL fleet as well as for the repair, maintenance and overhaul of its existing AS365N Dauphin helicopters. Airbus, which offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners, is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters segment, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions across the world. Pawan Hans, on its parts, has so far cumulatively flown more than 1 million hours and has had 2.5 million landings on its fleet since its inception. The operations are based at the Juhu Aerodrome in Vile Parle, Mumbai.
The MoU, signed on Thursday by Air Commodore Dayasagar, Executive Director at PHL and Ashish Saraf, Head of Airbus Helicopters for India and South Asia, also includes customised training and an on-site Safety Management System (SMS) for PHL pilots.
The MoU makes it mandatory that Airbus Helicopters will support PHL in growing its onshore, offshore and inland travel markets by introducing the best-in-class H145 and H225 rotorcrafts into their fleet. Besides, Airbus Helicopters will also provide predictive and scheduled maintenance, repair and overhaul services for PHL’s existing Airbus AS365N Dauphin helicopters, as per the MoU.
Interestingly, for Airbus Dauphin helicopters, PHL is the largest customer in the world. At present, it has 37 units deployed for offshore oil & gas operations, VIP transportation and other utility duties.
The H145 and H225 are multi-role helicopters, ideal for supporting PHL’s wide range of missions across the country. H145 is a member of Airbus’ four-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter product range with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, particularly, in high and hot operating conditions. H145 family, which includes BK117, EC145 and H145, has more than 1,300 helicopters in service around the world and has clocked more than 5.5 million flight hours.
Incidentally, the 11-tonne twin-engine H225 is the preference of commercial operators and also governmental agencies for its long range and all-weather capabilities. The H225, with its payload and range capacity, is the most cost-effective helicopter for long-distance offshore operations, such as PHL’s inter-island operations around the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.
H225 is the latest member of Airbus’ well established Super Puma family and it has already accumulated more than 5.5 million flight hours in operation around the world, including in highly challenging maritime environments and severe icing conditions.
Interestingly, helicopter services are now a vital component of civil aviation in India. Pawan Hans, the flagship helicopter service provider of the government of India, has now evolved into South Asia's largest helicopter company. It maintains and operates a fleet of more than 50 helicopters. On offer from Pawan Hans are a variety of services. And these services make it the most trusted brand in the area of helicopter services. Off-Shore operations, connecting inaccessible areas, charter services, search and rescue work, VIP transportation, corporate and special charters, hotline washing of insulators and Heli-pilgrims are some of the major services of Pawan Hans. As a first of its kind, PHL has been granted Air Operators Permit for Scheduled Operations. It may be mentioned here that scheduled flights under RCS UDAN II have already commenced operations in the state of Himachal Pradesh and services are planned to be extended in the states of Uttarakhand, Assam and Manipur shortly.
Significantly, Pawan Hans is now diversifying into the fields of Seaplane, small Fixed Wing Aircrafts, Training & Skill Development, Safety Audit & Consultancy, Foreign Projects and creation of infrastructures such as Heliports and Helipads as well. PHL has also been assigned the task of consultants for developing 31 heliports in 5 states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh Assam and Manipur.