Bristow Helicopters has signed a five-year agreement with Honeywell for the Honeywell Avionics Protection Plan (HAPP). The agreement, which will cover 26 of Bristow's AW139s, offers full maintenance protection coverage for the operator's search and rescue fleet and is expected to improve cost forecasting. Bristow will also have access to repair and parts exchange services in addition to support from Honeywell and its global network of authorised service centres.

“We want our customers to be prepared for the unexpected,” says HAPP global sales director Mark Harding. “While operational and fuel costs can be unpredictable, maintenance costs don't have to be. Our avionics maintenance plans are built to help operators drive greater operational efficiency. With fixed yearly contract prices and rapid service, even if your failures increase your budget does not have to.”

The operator's missions include offshore transportation, SAR and support services. Honeywell's Sky Connect flight data monitoring system is already in use across Bristow's fleet.

Bristow Helicopters' mixed fleet includes types such as the Sikorsky S-92A, S-76C, Agusta AW139, AW189, Airbus Helicopters' H155B1 and the AS322L. From its UK base it maintains the AS355, H125/AS350, Bell 205, 206B JetRanger, 206L LongRanger, B212, B214, B412, Sikorsky S-61N, S-76, Airbus Helicopters H215/AS332 and the Aerospatiale SA330J.