Mexico certifies the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter

                      
The Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) has certified the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter.

Sikorsky expects to deliver the first Sikorsky S-76D helicopters later this year. The FAA awarded the type certificate for the S-76D in October 2012.

“Mexico is a growing market for Sikorsky. We have quintupled the total number of Sikorsky helicopters in the military, paramilitary, and commercial markets there in the last five years, and this co-validation of the S-76D helicopter by the Mexican DGAC, paves the way for further growth of our commercial business there,” said Carey Bond, president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. “As PEMEX expands its offshore oil exploration, we are confident that the fleet of S-76D helicopters servicing this work will grow proportionately.”

At Heli-Expo in March, Sikorsky announced the signing of a contract with ASESA (Aeroservicios Especializados, S.A. de C.V.) for the purchase of six S-76D helicopters to serve the offshore oil transport mission.

This was the first time ASESA has purchased a new Sikorsky helicopter, and the first sale of an S-76D helicopter into Mexico. ASESA is scheduled to receive the first S-76D helicopter into service later this year, with the additional five aircraft set to enter service in 2014.