DALLAS, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft today announced that Bond Aviation Group, the British helicopter operator and subsidiary company of the World Helicopters Group, has signed a contract to buy 16 S-92® helicopters. The purchase is the largest one-time acquisition of S-92 aircraft ever received by Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

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"We are deeply honored by the Bond Aviation Group's confidence in Sikorsky and our S-92 helicopter, which we see expressed by this significant firm order," said Carey Bond, President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. "We are delighted to have Bond join the family of S-92 operators around the world who have selected a proven and reliable aircraft."

The S-92 helicopter is one of the largest in its heavy offshore class. Its cabin can easily carry 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.

James Drummond, CEO of World Helicopters Group said: "Bond is delighted to announce the order of 16 new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. The introduction of the S-92s represents the next stage in Bond's growth and fleet development for both UK and International operations, such as Oil & Gas and Search and Rescue, for which the S-92 is ideally designed.  It is a proven and flexible platform that will provide the performance and range required to operate in these environments whilst delivering the highest standards of safety and comfort for its crew and passengers.  We look forward to working with Sikorsky to introduce the new aircraft, the first of which we expect in 2013."

All Bond S-92 aircraft will feature equipment and systems necessary for operations in the North Sea in accordance with the European Aviation Safety Agency's requirements. These include five flotation devices, two auto-deployable life rafts, satellite flight following communications, and a main rotor blade ice protection system. Currently, helicopter operators based in five North Sea countries are flying 47 S-92 aircraft configured for offshore transport and search and rescue missions.

Bond (www.bondairservices.com; www.bondoffshorehelicopters.com) is the UK's largest independent emergency and mission critical helicopter operator providing air ambulance helicopter services, police and marine support to offshore wind farms and lighthouses as well as mission critical Oil & Gas crew change and search and rescue services in the North Sea to blue chip oil companies.

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.

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