PHI Celebrates 60 Years in Industry

ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today celebrated the 60th anniversary of PHI, a longtime Sikorsky customer flying S-92® and S-76® helicopters, with a recognition ceremony at Heli-Expo. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

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PHI has 43 S-76 helicopters and 10 S-92 aircraft in its fleet -- the largest number of Sikorsky helicopters in the company’s history. As PHI has grown, it marked numerous milestones with Sikorsky in recent years, including reaching 30,000 fleet hours with its S-92 helicopter fleet on Oct. 9, 2008.

“Sikorsky is proud of its relationship with PHI and has been fortunate to celebrate many achievements with them through the years. It continues to be a leader in the industry, and we salute PHI for all that it has given to the commercial helicopter marketplace,” said Carey Bond, Sikorsky Vice President of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer.

PHI has logged more than 10.5 million rotor wing flight hours as of December 2008, operating in 43 countries around the world.

“PHI has operated and maintained a variety of aircraft, flying virtually every type of commercial helicopter since the company began in 1949,” said PHI Chief Executive Officer Al A. Gonsoulin. “It has been a great run for us, we’re proud of our legacy, and we look forward to an exciting future and continued successful relationship with Sikorsky Aircraft.”

PHI, a pioneer in deepwater helicopter operations, introduced the operation of the S-92 helicopter to the energy industry in the Gulf of Mexico. Since the 1950s, Louisiana-based PHI has flown Sikorsky helicopters, offering services to the offshore oil and gas, onshore mining, international, air medical and technical services industries. Sikorsky delivered the first two production S-92 helicopters to PHI in late 2004.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. The company’s long commitment to safety and innovation is reflected in its mission statement: "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere ... every time™." United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

PHI provides helicopter transportation and related services to a broad range of customers including the oil and gas industry, air medical industry and also provides third-party maintenance services to select customers.