Press Releases

DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mexican helicopter service provider ASESA (Aeroservicios Especializados, S.A. de C.V.) to jointly explore assembly and service opportunities in support of BLACK HAWK helicopters.

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"The MOU marks another step in our commitment to support BLACK HAWK aircraft operated by the Mexican military and Federal Police," said Steve Estill, Sikorsky Vice President for Mexico. "This agreement will establish a working relationship with ASESA in preparation for expected growth in Mexico, which could include helicopter assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul work." 

The Mexican Air Force, the Mexican Navy and Federal Police currently operate 21 UH-60L and UH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft acquired since the mid 1990s. Fifteen of those aircraft have been acquired since 2007. Sikorsky expects the Federal Police to take delivery of another two UH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft in early 2012. In September 2011, the State of Jalisco acquired an S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter, the first state government in Mexico to acquire the newest variant of the world's most employed military utility aircraft.

"We couldn't be more pleased to have signed the MOU with Sikorsky," said Humberto Lobo, president of ASESA. "We have a strong interest in Sikorsky products both as it relates to our off shore oil transport business as well as our aircraft services businesses. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with one of the best-known helicopter manufacturing companies in the world. This action improves and enhances the program to develop the Mexican Aeronautical Industry as a strategic provider of products and services with a world class company."

Aeroservicios Especializados, S.A. de C.V. (ASESA), a subsidiary of Grupo Lomex, is a leading helicopter services operator for the oil and gas Industry in Mexico and South America. Founded in 1977, ASESA serves several markets, with Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the Mexican state-owned petroleum company being a major customer.  ASESA is recognized for customer service innovation and superior quality. ASESA has experience with numerous helicopter models and has accumulated more than 470,000 flight hours and a strong tradition as provider of maintenance services for helicopters in Mexico. The company operates three maintenance centers based in Monterrey, Mexico City, and Ciudad del Carmen, which cover all Mexican territory.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.   

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), today announced at Heli-Expo that Brazilian helicopter operator Lider Aviacao has signed a contract to buy three Sikorsky S-92® helicopters. Lider will operate the aircraft predominantly to serve the growing Petrobras demand for large rotorcraft capable of transporting workers to offshore oil and gas platforms.

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The three new aircraft will join Lider's existing fleet of four S-92 helicopters and 42 Sikorsky S-76™ helicopters serving the offshore oil and gas market in Brazil.

"We thank Lider for their continued confidence in Sikorsky aircraft to serve the offshore oil and gas market in Brazil," said Bob Kokorda, Sikorsky Sales and Marketing Vice President. "Lider now has one of the world's largest helicopter fleets serving this important industry. This purchase will enable Lider to carry more workers to rigs deployed beyond 200 nautical miles from shore."

With a current maximum gross weight of 26,500 pounds, the S-92 helicopter is one of the largest in its heavy offshore class. Its cabin is easily capable of carrying 19 passengers and their luggage. Since entering service in September 2004, the S-92 fleet has grown to more than 150 aircraft. Helicopter transport companies serving the offshore oil and gas industry operate approximately 60 percent of the fleet, and currently account for 90 percent of the fleet's 380,000 total flight hours.

According to Lider's CEO, Eduardo Vaz, "The S-92 is seen by the oil and gas industry as the most suitable aircraft for offshore operations because it has the best performance rates within the large helicopter category based on its great flight range, cost efficiency and safety features."

Sikorsky will begin deliveries of Lider's new S-92 aircraft in 2012.

Based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Lider Aviacao is the largest executive aviation company and helicopter operator in Latin America, with over 2,000 employees, 26 FBO's and a fleet of 92 aircraft. The company has an integrated portfolio of business that includes helicopter services for the offshore oil and gas industry, aircraft chartering and management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft sales and airport ground handling and has a leading position in each one of these markets.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems.

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

ATLANTA, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta-based Precision Aviation Group (PAG), a leading provider of products and value-added services to the Worldwide Aerospace and Defense industries, subsidiary Precision Accessories & Instruments (PAI) has been approved as an Authorized Repair Center (ARC) for the Eurocopter Group.

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Under an agreement with American Eurocopter Corporation (AEC), PAI is authorized to provide MRO Services on a selection of "rotable" components to any and all affiliated Eurocopter Group members. "This agreement reiterates our commitment to enhance our capabilities and provide our world-wide customer base advanced levels of service.  We made a strategic decision several years ago to expand our OEM partnerships, and being named an ARC for the Eurocopter Group is a direct result of this focused effort," said Ketan Desai, PAG Vice President, Sales & Marketing.

"This support agreement allows PAI to offer services to Eurocopter's extensive distribution network of around 20 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide, associating the performance of a lean MRO organization to the product experience and warranties of the OEM," says Martin Gohr, American Eurocopter Strategic Purchasing Director.

David Mast, PAG President and CEO said: "We are fully committed to making substantial investments in our business that create growth opportunities for both PAG, and our business partners. This agreement expands PAI's existing relationship with the Eurocopter Group.  Their Helicopters are flown in vast numbers by our customer base, and being named an ARC allows us to enhance our support of these operators.  We are proud to to be playing a wider role in the support of the worldwide Eurocopter fleet."

About Precision Aviation Group: PAG is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the Worldwide Aerospace and Defense industry. With 150,000 square feet of sales/service facilities in the United States and Canada, PAG uses its distinct business units and customer focused business model to serve aviation customers through two business functions – Aviation Supply Chain and its trademarked Inventory Supported Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul – ISMRO®.

PAG provides MRO and Supply Chain services for Fixed and Rotary-wing aircraft through Precision Heliparts - PHP (www.heliparts.com), Gardner Aviation Services - GAS (www.gardneraviation.com), Precision Accessories & Instruments - PAI (www.precisionaccessories.com), Precision Heliparts Canada – PHP-C (www.heliparts.ca), Precision Accessories & Instruments Canada – PAI-C (www.pai-canada.com), and Aero Technology – ATI (www.aerotechnology.org). PAG has MRO capabilities on over 10,000 products, including Accessories, Avionics, Hydraulics, Instruments, NDT, Starter/Generators, and Wheels/Brakes – (www.precisionaviationgroup.com).

About American Eurocopter:American Eurocopter is the U.S. affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer and markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and parapublic helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. American Eurocopter's headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, TX, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, MS.

SOURCE Precision Aviation Group