Stratford, Connecticut - ​Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) of its Rig Approach™ for the S-92® helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Rig Approach is a first of its kind functionality on the S-92 helicopter that provides helicopter operators with an automated approach to offshore rigs and platforms. Rig Approach is available as an option on the S-92 helicopter, providing a fully coupled and automated approach capability with a higher safety margin than currently is available with any other offshore approach procedure. The feature can be retrofitted to aircraft already in operation. 

Sikorsky developed Rig Approach in close collaboration with PHI, Inc., an important Sikorsky customer that operates S-92 and S-76® helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico, providing transportation to offshore oil workers to and from the platforms there. PHI Inc. flew the first operational Rig Approach flight in November 2013.

Reducing cockpit workload is a key safety feature that benefits the pilots and passengers, especially under challenging weather and operating conditions,” said Audrey Brady, Director, S-92 Programs, Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services. “With the Transport Canada certification of Rig Approach, we are excited about supplying our Canadian customers with this very important functionality to help improve safety in operations.

Sikorsky has delivered more than 240 S-92 helicopters to customers throughout the world. In 2014, Sikorsky celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the S-92 helicopter, which was first delivered in 2004. The fleet has reached more than 800,000 flight hours, with over 90 percent of those hours providing offshore oil and gas worker transportation. S-92 helicopters also perform search and rescue missions, heads of state missions, and a variety of transportation missions for utility and airline passengers.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.