Airbus Helicopters recently showcased three variants of their helicopters at a select gathering of various industry officials and representatives that included stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Sector. The three helicopters – EC175, EC145 T2 and EC225e – are being projected to meet the increasing needs of the growing Indian Oil & Gas market, said Xavier Hay, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in India.
Speaking on the sidelines of “Airbus Helicopters Oil & Gas Seminar” in Mumbai, Hay said that with the oil and gas sector being one of the six core industries contributing over 15% to the country’s GDP, helicopters remained a critical asset in the entire lifecycle of an offshore project.
“India has witnessed burgeoning offshore oil and gas exploration in untouched offshore areas through large public and private sector investments. From the initial stages of seismic scanning and exploration to development and production, they enable movement of crew and material in a safe and efficient manner. The utility of helicopters in emergency assistance during an offshore project is unparalleled due to maneuverability and speed,” he said.
“The objective of establishing an Indian subsidiary was to bring Airbus Helicopters expertise to develop the existing market as well as concentrate on new market segments like Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), power grid, news gathering, law enforcement, border patrol, search and rescue, heli-tourism and pilgrimage.
Considering the growing market, we are very optimistic about our future in India.”
“With our three latest generation helicopters, we can foster a new segment for the Oil &Gas industry, besides also the deep-water areas. Besides the trio being perfectly suited for use as air ambulances which are yet to begin in India, they are also suitable for many other missions like energy/power grid and windmill farms (for heavy pylon erections), disaster management, public security, long range flights and greater speed with less workload for the crew and also for search and rescue,” he said.
To a question about the company’s top markets, Hay described North America as its biggest market, besides Brazil being their largest in South America with its massive size, big population and emerging market.
“Airbus Helicopters has a rich legacy in India. Its industrial engagement with the country started in 1962 when HAL started license producing the Alouette III helicopter followed by the Lama in 1970 with highly cooperative and unparalleled transfer of technology. In India, these helicopters are known as Chetak and Cheetah respectively. Till date, HAL has produced more than 600 of them.”
Highlighting the challenges being witnessed in the Indian market scenario, he said these included infrastructure, helipads, need for developing training facilities and relaxation in taxation. “India can be a very competitive market – though it’s still very costly – and our experiences in other countries should hold us in good stead in our efforts here in India. We are discussing with the DGCA about the gridlocks to development, such as the 12% import taxes,” he said.
Summing up the USP of the three new helicopters – EC225e, EC175 and EC145T2, he said this included performance, safety, cost-effectiveness in operation, decreased workload for the crew, pilot-friendly, innovative and competitive in LCC (Life Cycle Performance), passenger transport, and many other drivers. “This explains why we are holding about 42% to 43% of this world market,” he said.
“Of the three new helicopters – which have a capacity of between 12 to 16 passengers – the EC225e makes its entrance with unmatched long range performance and is described as the +workhorse+ in offshore oil and gas missions, where it continues to demonstrate its capability in the most demanding operational conditions worldwide from the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico to Africa,” he said, while describing it as a helicopter for the future that is poised to meet Exploration and Production (E&P) companies needs in deep-water blocks located further 200 NM in East and West Coast (Krishna-Godavari, Mumbai Offshore). In its recent expansion in Africa, three of these aircraft were delivered to Milestone for SONAIR, the largest offshore oil & gas African operator.
He said that the EC175 is the most economic and competitive helicopter in its category and was designed and developed in collaboration with offshore operators. It is poised to answer to the future demands in India as it perfectly suites the future requirements for Indian conditions, besides being the only super medium twin in the world for greater than 200 NM Radius of Action (ROA). UT Air has shown their interest in launching the EC175 in India in the near future.
“The third helicopter model – EC145T2 – is considered the best light twin in its category for offshore passenger transport and versatile operations like inter-rig transportation while ensuring cost reduction and safety in its technology,” he said. “Our products are competitive in its complete life cycle cost. Our products not only have a competitive price but also have competitive maintenance cost and operating cost. Also, the Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of our products are less. All these factors make our products competitive and cost efficient,” he added.
Mickael Melaye, Head of Operational Marketing for Airbus Helicopters, said “The Oil & Gas industry is one pillar of the Indian economy and – with many new tenders coming out – the helicopter platform is the key tool in such operations. Innovation is the key driver of our products which includes the Dauphin that has been used for over 27 years in India.”
He said the EC145T2 has been used in quite a few operations in South America, besides also in evacuations elsewhere and has been praised by the Malaysian Police in its effective hovering around in the country’s police operations. “The EC175 has drawn positive feedback on its USA and Asia demo tours. This helicopter stands out in mission cost comparison in the UK scenario and Petrobras (Brazil), where high performance and lower cost create a competitive advantage,” he said. Describing the EC225e helicopter as an enhanced asset for offshore missions, he said this aircraft is coming into the market in 2016 with more payload, longer range, automatic rig approach (Rig & Fly), additional fuel tanks of 470 litres (376 kgs) which are removable, improved safety due to better structural awareness and automatic IFR approaches offshore and onshore.
To a question about temperature difference in Europe’s cold and India’s hot and humid climate affecting the Airbus helicopters, he said “In India, we have modified our aircraft to perform better. In 2010, we came to Mumbai with the EC225 and had no issues with the power whatsoever and with the EC175 we spent six weeks in different parts of Asia, including Malaysia.”
Airbus Helicopters maintains a presence in 149 countries to ensure true neighborhood services for its customers. The acquisition of Canadian company Vector Aerospace in 2011 consolidated Airbus helicopters’ presence in several regions around the globe. At the end of 2014, Helibras – Airbus Helicopters’ local entity in Brazil – inaugurated a new service center in Atibaia near Sao Paulo.
On the company’s global front, Airbus Helicopters and China’s Avicopter have signed a joint agreement for production of 1,000 EC175/AC352 rotorcraft. Two different rotorcraft are being built from a common platform: the AC352, assembled and supported from China by Avicopter, primarily for the Chinese market.
The company’s local entity in Chile delivered an AS365 Dauphin to the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) fleet which performs medical airlift and emergency rescue missions. One of the Dauphins was put to good use last April, when it flew to the rescue of a woman with her new-born baby following heavy flooding in the Tacuarembo department. The grateful mother named her daughter “Delfina.”
The Bolivian Air Force (FAB) has selected the Super Puma’s latest high power AS332 C1e version to fight drug trafficking and perform public-security and disaster-relief missions throughout the country. This contract includes a logistics package that will support the fleet sustainability in the coming years. The first two helicopters will be delivered this year and the remaining four before 2016.
The EC175 PT3 prototype spent the month of February in North-Eastern Canada undergoing cold weather trials led by a team of 12 persons. The purpose of the campaign was to demonstrate the helicopter’s ability to successfully operate in extreme temperatures. The helicopter was transported to Edmonton by an Antonov cargo plane and the flown to the small town of Yellowknife, about 400 kms south of the Arctic Circle. As part of the test, the teams verified that the helicopter could be started up after being exposed to the cold for periods of at least 10 hours (to ensure fluids such as oil and fuel reached the required test temperature). They also checked that no cold-related phenomena occurred during flights, and performed operational checks on the helicopter’s equipment in extreme weather conditions.
At the Heli-Expo show in Los Angeles, Airbus helicopters announced new orders for 78 helicopters, including 57 for leasing companies. The EC225 and the new EC225e once again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the 11-tonne class as they racked up a total of 27 orders.
From March to September 2013, three Tigers from the Spanish Airmobile Force (FAMET) successfully performed escort missions in Afghanistan. The Tiger’s powerful engines proved to be a key feature by enabling it to provide excellent performance at high altitudes (the base in Herat is surrounded by mountain peaks that can reach 13,000 feet). When the decision was made to send three Tigers to Afghanisatan, Airbus Helicopters Espana had only three months to make the necessary modifications (installation of armour plating and sand filters, software upgrades etc.)
In Japan, Airbus Helicopters Japan can clearly stake its claim as market leader with 335 helicopters in service – representing over 50 per cent of the civil market and approximately 20 new sales per year. Many of the Dauphins and EC135s – the most popular choice for this market – are more like flying studios with newscasters giving reports right from the cabin. The EC222s are operated by the Tokyo Fire department, Japan Coast guard and the country’s armed forces for both government missions and to serve the Emperor. The EC135s used for pilot training by the Japanese navy represent a “new frontier” for Airbus Helicopters Japan: the defence market.
Sweden’s Jamtlands Flyg uses three EC 120Bs helicopters and an AS350 B2 helicopter in its variety of missions including tracking wolves, herding reindeer and getting close to bears in their business of marking wolves, bears and elk. A typical mission involves flying a vet and a shooter over the regions forested mountains for darting these animals. While an elk just gets confused after a tranquilizer shot, a bear gets angry and is not afraid of a helicopter where it will attack the machine and crew.
Speaking on the sidelines of “Airbus Helicopters Oil & Gas Seminar” in Mumbai, Hay said that with the oil and gas sector being one of the six core industries contributing over 15% to the country’s GDP, helicopters remained a critical asset in the entire lifecycle of an offshore project.
“India has witnessed burgeoning offshore oil and gas exploration in untouched offshore areas through large public and private sector investments. From the initial stages of seismic scanning and exploration to development and production, they enable movement of crew and material in a safe and efficient manner. The utility of helicopters in emergency assistance during an offshore project is unparalleled due to maneuverability and speed,” he said.
“The objective of establishing an Indian subsidiary was to bring Airbus Helicopters expertise to develop the existing market as well as concentrate on new market segments like Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), power grid, news gathering, law enforcement, border patrol, search and rescue, heli-tourism and pilgrimage.
Considering the growing market, we are very optimistic about our future in India.”
“With our three latest generation helicopters, we can foster a new segment for the Oil &Gas industry, besides also the deep-water areas. Besides the trio being perfectly suited for use as air ambulances which are yet to begin in India, they are also suitable for many other missions like energy/power grid and windmill farms (for heavy pylon erections), disaster management, public security, long range flights and greater speed with less workload for the crew and also for search and rescue,” he said.
To a question about the company’s top markets, Hay described North America as its biggest market, besides Brazil being their largest in South America with its massive size, big population and emerging market.
“Airbus Helicopters has a rich legacy in India. Its industrial engagement with the country started in 1962 when HAL started license producing the Alouette III helicopter followed by the Lama in 1970 with highly cooperative and unparalleled transfer of technology. In India, these helicopters are known as Chetak and Cheetah respectively. Till date, HAL has produced more than 600 of them.”
Highlighting the challenges being witnessed in the Indian market scenario, he said these included infrastructure, helipads, need for developing training facilities and relaxation in taxation. “India can be a very competitive market – though it’s still very costly – and our experiences in other countries should hold us in good stead in our efforts here in India. We are discussing with the DGCA about the gridlocks to development, such as the 12% import taxes,” he said.
Summing up the USP of the three new helicopters – EC225e, EC175 and EC145T2, he said this included performance, safety, cost-effectiveness in operation, decreased workload for the crew, pilot-friendly, innovative and competitive in LCC (Life Cycle Performance), passenger transport, and many other drivers. “This explains why we are holding about 42% to 43% of this world market,” he said.
“Of the three new helicopters – which have a capacity of between 12 to 16 passengers – the EC225e makes its entrance with unmatched long range performance and is described as the +workhorse+ in offshore oil and gas missions, where it continues to demonstrate its capability in the most demanding operational conditions worldwide from the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico to Africa,” he said, while describing it as a helicopter for the future that is poised to meet Exploration and Production (E&P) companies needs in deep-water blocks located further 200 NM in East and West Coast (Krishna-Godavari, Mumbai Offshore). In its recent expansion in Africa, three of these aircraft were delivered to Milestone for SONAIR, the largest offshore oil & gas African operator.
He said that the EC175 is the most economic and competitive helicopter in its category and was designed and developed in collaboration with offshore operators. It is poised to answer to the future demands in India as it perfectly suites the future requirements for Indian conditions, besides being the only super medium twin in the world for greater than 200 NM Radius of Action (ROA). UT Air has shown their interest in launching the EC175 in India in the near future.
“The third helicopter model – EC145T2 – is considered the best light twin in its category for offshore passenger transport and versatile operations like inter-rig transportation while ensuring cost reduction and safety in its technology,” he said. “Our products are competitive in its complete life cycle cost. Our products not only have a competitive price but also have competitive maintenance cost and operating cost. Also, the Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of our products are less. All these factors make our products competitive and cost efficient,” he added.
Mickael Melaye, Head of Operational Marketing for Airbus Helicopters, said “The Oil & Gas industry is one pillar of the Indian economy and – with many new tenders coming out – the helicopter platform is the key tool in such operations. Innovation is the key driver of our products which includes the Dauphin that has been used for over 27 years in India.”
He said the EC145T2 has been used in quite a few operations in South America, besides also in evacuations elsewhere and has been praised by the Malaysian Police in its effective hovering around in the country’s police operations. “The EC175 has drawn positive feedback on its USA and Asia demo tours. This helicopter stands out in mission cost comparison in the UK scenario and Petrobras (Brazil), where high performance and lower cost create a competitive advantage,” he said. Describing the EC225e helicopter as an enhanced asset for offshore missions, he said this aircraft is coming into the market in 2016 with more payload, longer range, automatic rig approach (Rig & Fly), additional fuel tanks of 470 litres (376 kgs) which are removable, improved safety due to better structural awareness and automatic IFR approaches offshore and onshore.
To a question about temperature difference in Europe’s cold and India’s hot and humid climate affecting the Airbus helicopters, he said “In India, we have modified our aircraft to perform better. In 2010, we came to Mumbai with the EC225 and had no issues with the power whatsoever and with the EC175 we spent six weeks in different parts of Asia, including Malaysia.”
Airbus Helicopters maintains a presence in 149 countries to ensure true neighborhood services for its customers. The acquisition of Canadian company Vector Aerospace in 2011 consolidated Airbus helicopters’ presence in several regions around the globe. At the end of 2014, Helibras – Airbus Helicopters’ local entity in Brazil – inaugurated a new service center in Atibaia near Sao Paulo.
On the company’s global front, Airbus Helicopters and China’s Avicopter have signed a joint agreement for production of 1,000 EC175/AC352 rotorcraft. Two different rotorcraft are being built from a common platform: the AC352, assembled and supported from China by Avicopter, primarily for the Chinese market.
The company’s local entity in Chile delivered an AS365 Dauphin to the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) fleet which performs medical airlift and emergency rescue missions. One of the Dauphins was put to good use last April, when it flew to the rescue of a woman with her new-born baby following heavy flooding in the Tacuarembo department. The grateful mother named her daughter “Delfina.”
The Bolivian Air Force (FAB) has selected the Super Puma’s latest high power AS332 C1e version to fight drug trafficking and perform public-security and disaster-relief missions throughout the country. This contract includes a logistics package that will support the fleet sustainability in the coming years. The first two helicopters will be delivered this year and the remaining four before 2016.
The EC175 PT3 prototype spent the month of February in North-Eastern Canada undergoing cold weather trials led by a team of 12 persons. The purpose of the campaign was to demonstrate the helicopter’s ability to successfully operate in extreme temperatures. The helicopter was transported to Edmonton by an Antonov cargo plane and the flown to the small town of Yellowknife, about 400 kms south of the Arctic Circle. As part of the test, the teams verified that the helicopter could be started up after being exposed to the cold for periods of at least 10 hours (to ensure fluids such as oil and fuel reached the required test temperature). They also checked that no cold-related phenomena occurred during flights, and performed operational checks on the helicopter’s equipment in extreme weather conditions.
At the Heli-Expo show in Los Angeles, Airbus helicopters announced new orders for 78 helicopters, including 57 for leasing companies. The EC225 and the new EC225e once again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the 11-tonne class as they racked up a total of 27 orders.
From March to September 2013, three Tigers from the Spanish Airmobile Force (FAMET) successfully performed escort missions in Afghanistan. The Tiger’s powerful engines proved to be a key feature by enabling it to provide excellent performance at high altitudes (the base in Herat is surrounded by mountain peaks that can reach 13,000 feet). When the decision was made to send three Tigers to Afghanisatan, Airbus Helicopters Espana had only three months to make the necessary modifications (installation of armour plating and sand filters, software upgrades etc.)
In Japan, Airbus Helicopters Japan can clearly stake its claim as market leader with 335 helicopters in service – representing over 50 per cent of the civil market and approximately 20 new sales per year. Many of the Dauphins and EC135s – the most popular choice for this market – are more like flying studios with newscasters giving reports right from the cabin. The EC222s are operated by the Tokyo Fire department, Japan Coast guard and the country’s armed forces for both government missions and to serve the Emperor. The EC135s used for pilot training by the Japanese navy represent a “new frontier” for Airbus Helicopters Japan: the defence market.
Sweden’s Jamtlands Flyg uses three EC 120Bs helicopters and an AS350 B2 helicopter in its variety of missions including tracking wolves, herding reindeer and getting close to bears in their business of marking wolves, bears and elk. A typical mission involves flying a vet and a shooter over the regions forested mountains for darting these animals. While an elk just gets confused after a tranquilizer shot, a bear gets angry and is not afraid of a helicopter where it will attack the machine and crew.
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