WAPPINGERS FALLS, New York - Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), the East Coast’s premier executive helicopter service, is celebrating its achievement of more than 40,000 hours of safe flying in its fleet of Sikorsky S-76^® helicopters. The company’s achievement encompasses more than 17 years of operating the S-76 helicopter.

“Forty-thousand safe flying hours is an exceptional achievement for our entire AAG family as well as for our clients who recognize AAG’s industry-leading standards,” said AAG President Scott Ashton. “We are very proud of this milestone, which serves as a testament to AAG’s commitment to providing the very best service and exemplary safety to our customers.”

Associated Aircraft Group enjoys both Wyvern Approval and ARG/US Platinum status – the highest safety rating awarded to operators. To further its safety efforts, AAG has also implemented a rigorous Safety Management System (SMS) that encompasses a comprehensive culture of Risk Management and Safety Promotion and Policies.

Associated Aircraft Group operates a fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in both Fractional Ownership and Full Management programs. With bases in Metro New York and Philadelphia at Teterboro, Dutchess County, and Chester County Airports, AAG serves the entire east coast including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, and Boston.

About AAG

AAG, a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft, has more than 20 years experience providing helicopter and fixed wing charter flights, fractional ownership and helicopter maintenance services from its New York and Philadelphia installations. AAG is the only executive helicopter company to own and operate its own FAA Part 145 maintenance facility and is a Sikorsky Certified Repair Center, with the Northeast’s largest fleet of S-76 aircraft. The company’s principal flight operations and repair services are housed in two hangars at the Dutchess County Airport, a short flight from its Manhattan heliports.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.