Tanzanian operator Everett Aviation has signed a contract with Lobo Leasing Limited for a utility Sikorsky S-92A helicopter that will support oil and gas and utility operations.

The aircraft will support the energy sector in east Africa and will initially be based at Everett's headquarters facility in Dar es Salaam. The company is the region's largest helicopter service provider, and the S-92A helicopter is the first Sikorsky aircraft in its fleet. The utility configured aircraft features a rapid change interior capable of handling cargo, carrying passengers or providing medical evacuation support.

“We're delighted to be introducing the S-92A to the Everett fleet,” says CEO Simon Everett. “Many regions across sub-Saharan Africa are seeing a tremendous boom in infrastructure and civil engineering projects, and our new S-92A is ideally suited to supporting those missions.

“This particular helicopter is equipped with a highly versatile utility interior, which can seat up to 19 passengers in standard configuration or mix passengers with stretchers or cargo in a combined configuration. We also see opportunities for the S-92A in the offshore role in our region, and we plan to offer that configuration to our clients soon.

“This aircraft will be the largest civilian helicopter of its type in our region, and we're very excited about adding this unique capability to our fleet. We'd like to acknowledge and thank Lobo Leasing and Sikorsky for their foresight and support in working with us on this project.”

Adds Sikorsky president Dan Schulz: “What a great day; we get the privilege of welcoming a new customer and entering a new market for the S-92. We are extremely excited to add east Africa to our market portfolio, and we thank Lobo Leasing and Everett Aviation for the trust they've placed in our aircraft. We look forward to serving our customers in Africa.”

Lobo CEO Bill Wolf is also pleased: “Together with Sikorsky, we have been working to develop opportunities for the S-92 in the onshore utility market. We are excited to place one of our unique utility S-92As with such an experienced and respected operator as Everett, who will benefit from the unique capabilities of this superb helicopter in the African utility market.”

Sikorsky has delivered more than 300 production S-92 helicopters since 2004. The type is one of the preferred aircraft of its size for offshore oil worker transportation. In 2018, the fleet flew 175,000 hours, contributing to a total of nearly 1.5 million hours flown.

In January, Sikorsky announced the S-92 helicopter had been selected by a major oil company to commence deepwater transportation operations to oil rigs off the shores of Mexico.