Selected news from the Tianjin helicopter expo

Sikorsky and Zhuhai Helicopter Hold Ceremony for Purchase of S-92 and S-76 Aircraft

(Source: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.; issued September 16, 2011)

TIANJIN, China --- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and China Southern Airlines' Zhuhai Helicopter Branch company held a signing ceremony today at the first China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin for the purchase of two Sikorsky S-92 and one S-76 offshore utility helicopters by Zhuhai Helicopter. The new acquisitions are aimed at supporting the ever-expanding offshore oil operations in the South China Sea by Zhuhai's customers. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Zhuhai Helicopter Branch is among the major helicopter operators supporting offshore oil operations in China. The company has used Sikorsky helicopters since 1984 to transport oil workers for such companies as China National Offshore Oil Corp., Chevron and ExxonMobil. Currently, Zhuhai Helicopter Branch operates the largest S-76 helicopter fleet in China and Asia, and will have 13 S-76 and three S-92 helicopters in its rotorcraft fleet when the three new aircraft are delivered.

Sikorsky Vice President Shane Eddy said, "Sikorsky and Zhuhai Helicopter have enjoyed a very strong relationship for nearly 30 years, based on the safe and reliable performance of our helicopters serving Zhuhai's customers in the offshore oil and other market segments. Since 2007, Zhuhai has purchased nine Sikorsky helicopters including three S-92 medium weight helicopters. We appreciate the continued partnership with Zhuhai and will continue working together to meet the increasing needs of China's offshore oil industry."

Capt. LI, Jiahua, President of Zhuhai Helicopter Branch, also expressed a strong interest in continuing to work with Sikorsky for further developing the market in the years to come.
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Public Security Bureau of Ordos Orders Two Agusta Westland Grand New Helicopters

(Source: AgustaWestland; issued September 16, 2011)

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Public Security Bureau of Ordos, in China’s Inner Mongolia, has ordered two GrandNew twin-engine helicopters. The two helicopters will be used to perform fire fighting, rescue, observation, transport and civil protection duties.

The GrandNew was selected, following a tender process and a comprehensive evaluation of the available helicopters. The GrandNew was chosen due to its outstanding performance and particularly its ability to operate in the demanding local environmental and weather conditions, which are characterized by strong winds, poor visibility and high summer temperatures.

With this latest order AgustaWestland maintains its market leader position in China’s public security market.

Aircrew and technicians will be provided with comprehensive training and the aircraft backed by 24/7 support. This latest selection marks the entrance of the GrandNew helicopter into China’s public security market adding to the AW119Ke, AW109 Power, Grand and AW139 types that are already in service.

The GrandNew features the very latest developments in avionics while retaining the Grand’s outstanding performance and features. The GrandNew is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision and the first helicopter in this class on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations.

The GrandNew offers operators unprecedented abilities to exploit the advantages of a helicopter and these features make it the most advanced solution to operate in the challenging environment of Inner Mongolia.

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Pac Rim Needs 400,000 More Pilots and Technicians


Boeing Forecasts Strong Need for Aviation Personnel in Asia Pacific


(Source: Boeing Co.; issued Sept. 19, 2011)


HONG KONG --- Boeing forecasts the Asia Pacific region will require hundreds of thousands of new commercial airline pilots and technicians over the next 20 years to support airline fleet modernization and the rapid growth of air travel.

The 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook calls for 182,300 new pilots and 247,400 new technicians in the Asia Pacific region through 2030. The greatest need is in China, which will require 72,700 pilots and 108,300 technicians over the next 20 years.

"The demand for aviation personnel is evident today. In Asia we're already beginning to see some delays and operational disruptions due to a shortage of pilots," said Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer, Boeing Flight Services. "To ensure the success of our industry as travel demands grows, it is critical that we continue to foster a talent pipeline of capable and well-trained aviation personnel."

North East Asia will need 20,800 pilots and 30,200 technicians over the next 20 years. South East Asia will require 47,100 pilots and 60,600 technicians. The Oceania region will need 13,600 pilots and 15,600 technicians and South West Asia will need 28,100 pilots and 32,700 technicians.

"As an industry we must make a concentrated effort to get younger generations excited about careers in aviation. We are competing for talent with alluring hi-tech companies and we need to do a better job showcasing our industry as a global, technological, multi-faceted environment where individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines can make a significant impact," Ganzarski added.

More information on the 2011 Pilot & Technician Outlook is available at http://www.boeing.com/commercial/cmo/pilot_technician_outlook.html.


Boeing Flight Services, a business unit of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, is aligned with customer's flight operations function and offers integrated products and services to drive optimized performance, efficiency and safety, ranging from advanced training to improved airspace efficiency and infrastrucure , airline operations, flight planning, navigation and scheduling.

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