Bengaluru, 20 February 2019: Milestone Aviation Group Limited (Milestone), a GECAS company and the global leader in helicopter leasing, and Airbus Helicopters announced today that Heligo Charters Private Limited (HCPL), a Mumbai-based non-scheduled helicopter operator has taken delivery of its first H145 helicopter. The helicopter’s configuration will allow it to perform a variety of missions. The aircraft taken on lease from Milestone will start operations soon in the state of Jharkhand.

“We take immense pride in the fact that Heligo has placed its trust in Milestone’s certainty of execution to deliver the aircraft, coupled with our financial and technical capabilities. We look forward to continuing to grow this long-term relationship,” said Michael York, Senior Vice President of Commercial at Milestone.

HCPL is a leading onshore and offshore helicopter services provider to the oil & gas industry, corporate and VIP travel in India.. The company currently operates 10 helicopters, including four Airbus AS365 N3 Dauphins.

“HCPL will use the versatile H145 helicopter for a variety of missions. With enhanced safety features and a reputation for reduced maintenance, the H145 is an ideal craft for performing diverse roles,” said Capt K Padmanabhan, CEO, Heligo Charters Pvt Ltd.

Airbus’ H145 is the latest member of its 4-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range – with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, especially in high and hot operating conditions. Compact in size, this helicopter’s small footprint and large, flexible cabin makes it the aircraft of choice for a variety of missions. It provides latest technologies, like the advanced cockpit design with the most modern Human Machine Interface (HMI) and state-of-the-art Helionix® avionics, more powerful engines, an enhanced transmission system and a Fenestron® anti torque-device.

These new technologies are combined with the rugged and proven design elements of the H145 - the main rotor system and the multipurpose cabin. Built-in safety aspects include an energy absorbing fuselage and seats and crash-resistant fuel cells. Compared to other helicopters in its class, the H145 offers a significantly larger cabin featuring excellent outside visibility for pilots, crew and passengers; a roomy cabin with no partitions, center or door posts; and unrivalled side and rear loading capability.

Airbus will be displaying a similar H145 at Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru from 20 - 24 February 2019.  

About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of € 64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

About Milestone
Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $5 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports 48 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

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Krittivas Mukherjee

AIRBUS | India and South Asia

Kieran Daly

AIRBUS | Helicopters