Asia’s biggest civil helicopter operator sets a new world record by exceeding 300,000 flying hours with its Dauphin helicopter fleet.

Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd. is an Indian operator, which owns the world’s largest fleet of choppers in the Dauphin series. It took delivery of two Dauphin AS365 N3 helicopters in Mumbai in July.
Two more Dauphin AS365 N3s will be delivered in April 2007. PHHL took delivery of its first Dauphin AS365 in April 1983, and currently operates a fleet of 23 Dauphins: six AS365 N3s and seventeen AS365 Ns.
These aircraft are particularly well adapted to the offshore support missions for the oil industry in which PHHL specialises.
With room for 11 passengers, the state of the art AS365 N3 is capable of operating at high temperatures and at great altitudes, and is one of the very few helicopters to meet the most stringent requirements for OEI (one engine inoperative) certification.

PHHL is currently engaged in missions for the Oil & Gas Companies in Mumbai and for Hardy Exploration in Chennai. On behalf of these clients, PHHL carries passengers from one oil platform to another as well as between the oil platforms and the coast, and also provides pipeline surveillance services.
As such, the Pawan Hans Dauphin fleet of helicopters, by flying 300,000 hours performing these air operations, is a key asset for the Indian economy, especially in this strategic and fast growing Oil & Gas energy sector.

A Strategic Market
Besides these tasks, PHHL uses its helicopters for numerous types of mission: passenger transport, VIP shuttle services, charter flights and aerial photography are just a few of the services this state-owned operator can provide.
PHHL undertakes 80% of all helicopter operations in India, and also has a strong presence in the north-east of the country. The privileged relationship between Eurocopter and PHHL dates back more than two decades.
Right now, India is one of Eurocopter’s strategic markets.

“In 2006, our business focus in India will be to decisively increase our business platform by means of sales as well as by successful industrial deployment,” explains Eurocopter Asia-Pacific Senior Vice President Norbert Ducrot.
“As the demand for Eurocopter helicopters is constantly increasing in India – the latest Eurocopter models used by large fleet operators like Pawan Hans are best suited for VIP or Corporate needs – a full Eurocopter team has been ready to support customers in India since May 2006.
Eurocopter’s liaison office is based in Bangalore, while Eurocopter offers additional technical representations in Delhi and Mumbai.