OSTEND – February 28th, 2017 | NHV Group and Airbus Helicopters are pleased to announce that NHV’s H175 fleet has logged its first 10,000 flight hours. This significant milestone proves this super-medium-sized rotorcraft’s capabilities and reliability in highly demanding operations, especially the transportation of personnel and supplies to offshore oil and gas platforms.
The 10,000 hours have been accumulated by NHV’s fleet of eight H175s. The first two aircraft were introduced to the fleet in December 2014 with NHV being the launch operator. The rotorcraft have since completed more than 4750 flights; with certain missions conducted in challenging North Sea weather conditions, and non-stop flights performed to distances of 180 NM with passengers and cargo.
“Being the launching customer and fleet leader for this aircraft, we are successfully positioning the H175 as the new standard for oil and gas missions. I am proud that, today, NHV is the only operator with a vast experience in flying this aircraft. We explicitly thank our valued customers and staff for being our partners in reaching this milestone,” says Eric Van Hal, the CEO of NHV Group.
The H175’s high level of reliability enables NHV to meet tight flight scheduling in the North Sea, thereby underscoring the aircraft’s high level of maturity from service entry, as well as the suitability of associated services provided by Airbus Helicopters.
“I want to congratulate NHV for reaching this very important milestone with their H175 fleet,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “With NHV, the H175 has demonstrated its cost-effectiveness, comfort and reliability, setting new standards for offshore operations. I commend NHV for their professionalism in accomplishing this key milestone. They can count on unfaltering support from Airbus Helicopters so they can continue to perform successful missions.”
“The H175 is a remarkable program and NHV is to be applauded for so quickly reaching the 10,000-hour mark and maximizing the helicopter’s potential,” said John Saabas, President, Pratt & Whitney Canada, maker of the PT6C-67E engines that power the H175. “This is the first engine in the PT6 family to be equipped with a dual-channel FADEC, an advanced control system that simplifies engine operation, reduces pilot workload, and provides greater power response, performance, aircraft availability and a quiet cabin.”
NHV’s H175s have accumulated experience in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ghana, Denmark. “We are very satisfied with the H175s”, adds Eric Van Hal. “Our pilots appreciate their excellent handling characteristics, plus the speed and range; while passengers are impressed with the cabin comfort, smooth ride and low noise levels.” NHV will gradually increase its fleet of these new-generation helicopters in the upcoming years.
The H175 is designed to meet evolving mission needs in the oil and gas industry, offering outstanding performance and unmatched cost efficiency – with the capability of carrying a full payload to 90 percent of the North Sea’s offshore installations. It also is well tailored for search and rescue in support of such off-shore operations, emergency medical services, public services, VIP and executive transport.
About NHV Group:
The NHV group, based in Ostend Belgium, is specialized in B-to-B helicopter services and has a strong geographic presence in Europe and Western Africa. The group conducts operations out of several bases on the two continents with a team of over 550 employees. NHV’s main focus is on the oil and gas industry. The group has a leading position in Europe as the only helicopter operator that conducts operations in every oil producing country in the region. The scope of work also includes: Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), Maritime Services, which include Search and Rescue (SAR), offshore Wind Farms and Harbor Pilot Services. Vertech Offshore and Airlift are two specialized companies within the NHV group who are leaders in their niche of flare tip replacement and power grid construction and maintenance. Aside from the helicopter operations, NHV is an approved training organization (ATO) and an official service center for our partner Airbus Helicopters. The group has a multipurpose high value fleet of 65 helicopters. Since 2012, NHV has ordered 16 helicopters of the state-of-the-art Airbus Helicopters H175 model and is the global launching customer to fly the H175. NHV’s majority shareholder is Ardian, the independent private investment company with assets of US$60bn managed or advised in Europe, North America and Asia.
www.nhv.be
For more information please contact:
AURELIE HOORNAERT
aureliehoornaert@nhv.be
Phone: +32 (0) 59 307 055