China's State Grid General Aviation Company (SGGAC) has taken delivery of a heavy twin-engine Airbus H215 helicopter, a member of the Super Puma family. In doing so, SGGAC has become the launch customer for the type in China.

A subsidiary of utility company the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), SGGAC performs aerial construction and maintenance work along China's network of high and very high voltage power lines. The H215 will join its existing fleet of 15 Airbus Helicopters, comprised of H125s, an H120 and an H225. This addition will enable SGGAC to perform new missions such as cable repair, cable laying, cargo transportation and power line pylons construction in difficult-to-reach areas.

The helicopter comes equipped with a 4.5-ton cargo sling, hoists, weather radar, and a wire-strike protection system. The configuration features 17 seats equipped with oxygen jackets for high altitude missions.

“Our cooperation with Airbus Helicopters since 2012 has been a true success,” states SGGAC chairman Wu Jielong. “Thanks to the H215's outstanding performance in high and hot conditions coupled with strong support and services from Airbus Helicopters, we are confident that we will continue to develop our capabilities performing new utility missions.”

General manager of Airbus Helicopters China Marie-Agnes Veve adds: “It's an honour to see SGGAC becoming the first operator of the H215 in China. This achievement reinforces the long-term and strategic cooperation we have developed with the company, which also became a certified Airbus Helicopters' MRO centre in China in 2018.”

Standard features of the H215 include Makila 1A1 engines, the latest generation flight management system, and modern technologies such as a glass cockpit avionics system and four-axis autopilot from the H225.

The introduction of this H215 increases China's Super Puma fleet to nearly 40 aircraft, performing a wide range of missions from oil and gas to aerial work to VIP transportation. The fleet is supported by Airbus Helicopters' China technical team, its approved helicopter MRO centre in Shenzhen and an H225 full flight simulator located in Beijing.