VIH Aviation fields world’s first firefighting S-92
Written by: Lisa Gordon, and retrieved from Vertical Magazine | August 5, 2024
The Sikorsky S-92 is making its first appearance as a firefighting helicopter with VIH Aviation Group.
British Columbia-based VIH Aviation Group has partnered with Milestone Aviation, a subsidiary of aviation leasing firm AerCap, to deploy the world’s first Sikorsky S-92 firefighting helicopter.
Through its various subsidiaries, VIH has extensive experience operating, maintaining and modifying the 19-passenger S-92 in its traditional role as an offshore helicopter in the oil-and-gas industry.
According to Jen Norie, chief operating officer of VIH Helicopters, the company believes there is an emerging market for ex-offshore S-92s to be reconfigured for utility roles, such as firefighting and construction.
“We have a longstanding relationship with Milestone Aviation, and have partnered with Milestone to introduce the first ever utility-configured Sikorsky S-92A helicopter into the Canadian commercial market,” she said. “This aircraft is specifically intended to support government agencies in wildfire suppression.”
The project has its roots in an earlier collaboration between Milestone and Australian firefighting equipment designer Helitak Firefighting Equipment. Milestone — as the owner of the world’s largest S-92A fleet — worked closely with Helitak to develop and certify the collapsible FT5000 belly-mounted tank. After earning an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC), an S-92A helicopter equipped with the tank was leased to VIH for additional testing. Transport Canada has issued an exemption to allow VIH to operate while it reviews the certification data.
Operating under a restricted flight permit, flight and tank testing was conducted in B.C., with the aircraft deployed to a fire near Victoria on July 28.
Norie said trial results were positive.
“Initial testing showed the aircraft performed well and the speed, tank capacity and accuracy of the drops make this aircraft a very attractive option for wildfire agencies,” she told Vertical. “This testing was near sea level, and at higher altitudes the anticipated performance numbers will far exceed existing aircraft of this weight class currently on the market.”
In addition to the 5,000-litre (1,320-US gallon) tank, modifications to the helicopter included installation of a vertical reference window, a digital FM radio, and a remote torque indicator. Some equipment was also removed, including rafts, floats, and navigation equipment not required for VFR flight.
As of Aug. 2, VIH had received Transport Canada validation of the FAA-approved STC. Norie said the S-92A was fully serviceable and she expected it to be deployed as early as Aug. 3 to fight fires in the B.C. interior.
Meanwhile, VIH plans to convert two more S-92s for the 2025 international fire season.