Nine Sikorsky Helicopters Added to Bristow Fleet

FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW --- Bristow Group, Inc. has exercised options on its existing sales agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. for three S-92 helicopters and six S-76C++ helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft announced today from the Farnborough International Air Show. Sikorsky is a business unit of United Technologies Corp.>> Bristow, a longtime Sikorsky Aircraft customer, also added options to purchase eight additional S-92 helicopters. Bristow will use the new S-92 and S-76C++ helicopters to fulfill offshore transportation requirements in various parts of the world.>> "These option conversions clearly represent the faith in Sikorsky's commercial products and its support of those products," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. "Sikorsky's relationship with the Bristow Group spans fifty years, and we look forward to continuing our close relationship with Bristow for many years to come.">> Mark Duncan, Bristow Senior Vice President, Western Hemisphere, said, "Bristow's longstanding relationship with Sikorsky, including the original 2005 multi-year contracts to purchase S-76's and S-92's, have been instrumental in allowing us to meet the increased opportunities presented to us by our customers. We value our working relationship with Sikorsky and appreciate the flexibility afforded us.">> The S-92 is the first helicopter in the world certified to the latest U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Joint airworthiness safety standards. The S-92 helicopter features a Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS), which allows the aircraft to operate in known icing conditions. RIPS has been certified by both North American and European aviation authorities and is available on S-92 military variants as well as commercial aircraft.