Bell Textron Inc. and Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc. have launched an offshore operational evaluation program for the Bell 525 helicopter in Georgetown, Guyana. The program will run for six months, with approximately 500 flight hours planned. It aims to test the aircraft’s operational capabilities in real-world conditions, benefiting the local aviation and oil sectors.
Bell Textron Inc. and Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc. have initiated a collaborative offshore operational evaluation program for the Bell 525 helicopter. This program will be conducted over several months at Omni’s high-tempo operations in Georgetown, Guyana. Under this initiative, Bell will operate the Bell 525 in conjunction with Omni, facilitating offshore mission flights under realistic conditions.
The evaluation will involve loading the helicopter to representative mission weights and integrating it into daily flight planning processes. The Bell 525 will visit multiple offshore installations for routine loading, unloading, and refueling. This approach aims to rigorously test the aircraft under actual field conditions, highlighting its operational capacity in real-world scenarios.
Danny Maldonado, Chief Commercial Officer at Bell, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re honored to be working with Omni to leverage the advanced technology the Bell 525 aircraft will bring to the industry.” He emphasized that the program will showcase the helicopter’s performance, capabilities, and reliability as a premier offshore aircraft in the oil and gas sector.
Duncan Moore, Group COO at Omni Helicopters Inc., also conveyed excitement about the innovative program. He noted that Omni is dedicated to addressing customer challenges in helicopter selection for medium and long-range offshore missions. Moore expressed confidence in the Bell 525’s capabilities, stating his delight in facilitating this opportunity within the representative mission environment of Guyana.
Gerry Gouveia of Roraima Airways, which partners with Omni Helicopters, stated, “We’re delighted for our team and the wider aviation community in Guyana who will be amongst the first to get exposure to this next-generation aircraft.” He underscored that securing this project demonstrates a commitment to enhancing Guyana’s aviation and oil and gas sectors, and he noted the visibility the Bell 525 would provide for Guyana on a global platform.
The evaluation will entail approximately 500 flight hours over a six-month program, allowing the Bell 525 to integrate with the existing 200 monthly flights that Omni conducts. Loaded to representative operating weights, the aircraft will perform flight sequences identical to the current operational fleet, focusing on resilience and durability under commercial pressure.
In conclusion, the joint offshore evaluation program for the Bell 525 helicopter represents a significant collaboration between Bell Textron Inc. and Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc. designed to showcase the aircraft’s capabilities in real-world offshore operations. With an emphasis on operational resilience and durability, this initiative aims to strengthen Guyana’s aviation and oil and gas sectors while providing valuable insights into the performance of the Bell 525 in a demanding environment.
Original Source: newsroom.gy
