Article Posted on : - Oct 08, 2010

S-92 helicopter. A Sikorsky photo

HYDERABAD (PTI): The first set of S-92 helicopter cabins from Tata-Sikorsky joint venture here will roll out by the end of 2010, the company said.

According to Anthony Moreland, Sikorsky's Regional Sales Executive-India, the manufacturing facility in the Aerospace SEZ on the outskirts of Hyderabad will make the cabins as part of Sikorsky’s global supply chain.

"We are excited that India’s highly skilled aerospace workforce is currently manufacturing S-92 helicopter cabins in Hyderabad as part of Sikorsky’s global supply chain," Moreland said in a release Thursday.

Sikorsky and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a Tata Group company, signed an agreement in June 2009 to produce S-92 helicopter cabins and other components from the facility.

The S-92 helicopter is popular in the offshore oil and gas industry because of its power, endurance, speed, low noise and vibration, a large 19-passenger stand-up cabin and a rear ramp that allows easy passenger entry/exit and fast baggage handling.

After the production starts, Tatas will have direct competition with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics, the only other Indian company which produces aircraft and components as an original equipment manufacturer.