Helijet Operates Highest Airtime S-76 Helicopter

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has recognized Helijet International as operator of the world’s highest airtime Sikorsky S-76 airframe — an S-76A helicopter with 37,025 flight hours. Vancouver-based Helijet operates North America’s largest scheduled helicopter service, said Sikorsky Monday, Feb. 13.

Since 1986, aircraft 760074, an S-76A helicopter operating in Helijet’s airline service, has carried more than 500,000 scheduled service passengers more than 3 million miles between Helijet passenger terminals in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

Meanwhile, Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) has announced the launch of its new Helotrac 2X software system supporting Sikorsky’s commercial rotary platforms.

Offering advanced features over Sikorsky’s legacy Helotrac RL system, this new web-based program records, manages and reports essential information for enhanced fleet management operations. (Read: Sikorsky’s Web-Based Fleet Management System)

“Helijet’s S-76A helicopters collectively have accumulated an impeccable service record,” said Dan Hunter, Sikorsky Global Helicopter’s director of Programs.

Aircraft 760074 entered service in July 1980, and then flew 2,287 hours during nine years as a corporate aircraft in the north-eastern United States. Helijet acquired the aircraft in January 1990.

To ensure uninterrupted passenger service, Helijet adopted Sikorsky’s equalized inspection/maintenance program that enables the company’s fleet to operate at a high operational availability rate.

In addition to operating the S-76A aircraft, Helijet operates an additional four S-76A aircraft, as well as three medically equipped S-76C+ helicopters that provide air ambulance service to the province of British Columbia. Helijet also provides two medically equipped Lear 31A aircraft in support of the BC Ambulance service and other medical service clients.

During 25 years of service, Helijet’s fleet of scheduled service S-76A helicopters have flown 22 million kilometers. On Feb. 2, 2012, Helijet flew its two-millionth passenger.