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,
becoming the launch customer for the H215 in China.
A
subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the
world’s largest utility company, SGGAC performs aerial construction and maintenance work along China’s network of high
and very-high voltage power lines.
The H215 joins the
company’s existing fleet of 15 Airbus helicopters, comprised of
H125s, an H120 and an H225.
The H215 will enable SGGAC to
perform new missions such as cable repair, cable laying, cargo
transportation, and power line pylons constructions 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. 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,” said Wu Jielong, Chairman of SGGAC.
Standard features of the H215 include Makila
1A1 engines, a glass cockpit avionics
system and the renowned 4-axis autopilot from Airbus Helicopters’
advanced H225.
The introduction of this H215 increases China’s
Super Puma fleet to nearly 40 aircraft, performing a wide range of
missions from oil & 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.
“It’s an honour to see SGGAC
becoming the first operator of the H215 in China”, said
Marie-Agnes Veve, General Manager of Airbus Helicopters China.
“This achievement reinforces the long-term and strategic
cooperation we have developed with the company, which also became
a certified Airbus Helicopters’ maintenance, repair and overhaul
(MRO) centre in China in 2018.”
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