First S-76 C++ in Australia?
 

Heard a rumour that an S76C++ might soon be "winging" its way to Australia to commence a contract in the North West. If so it will be the first of type in country and will make a change from all the other 26+ year old modified A models currently working here.

Great to see some new equipment coming into the marketplace at last.

Anyone know who the operator is?

Hmmm,

A little birdie indicated to me that it might have something to do with a company which allegedly missed out on a potential contract in Bass Strait which may or may not have specified Super Pumas (or maybe B47j's). But then again this is a rumour forum...........

SFB (Capt. non specific)

"Anyone know who the operator is?"

I think a few people will be surprised, and a few with egg on their collective faces.....

Saw Yoni Gil from Jayrow having some up close and personal chats with the Sikorsky guys at HeliTech, maybe its for them :cool:

KTA or bust. Still need drivers

:)

More than a rumor I feel.
 

Heard this is the first of three new airframes that they are bringing into Oz.

Good on them as well.

It's a GoM operator who's supplying the SK76 C++

Confirmed overnight
 

Yes confirmed now.....its Jayrow Helicopters
That should give em a fleet of about six 76's now.
My contact also boast that their pay and conditions are the best in the country.
Wonder if there is room for an old sunburnt fart on the C!!

High Nr

Jayrow current fleet of S76s is

JYA and JYC both A++ models and owned not leased

JRD A model, also owned not leased.

The A models which were from Helicopter Resources were returned some time ago.

If the C++ is coming from a GOM operator as Loose Cyclic says. It won't be Bristow / Airlog since they wouldn't help Jayrow. Its not PHI, they are looking for more C++s and have none spare. By deduction, in my opinion it could only be ERA since no other GOM operators have the C++.

It is Jayrow Helicopters, but the aircraft and crew are coming from the GoM.

Heard that the first machine will arrive in country next Friday to begin transition to the Oz register. The US crews will only be flying it until she hets onto the OZ register & the Oz crews are qual'd.
Good news for Jayrow & the industry I think. New aircraft are well overdue here. Only a matter of time until one of the old battle axes gives in (hopefully without putting any lives at risk).
The market is definately big enough for a new operator. I say "good luck to them!":ok:

Good for Jayrow...............

The market is certainly large enough for 3 or more oil & gas players. A C++ in KTA will certainly turn a few heads. As for the crews comming from the GOM time will tell. OS folks need work visa's and all sorts of admin prior to employment (same rules in most countries). Can't see a shortage of guys wanting to partake in some C++ action though hence shouldn't be a problem.

If the rumour is true well done to Jayrow they are certainly getting amongst it.

Go for it............

Max


:ok:

Hippolite
 

I reckon they have three A++'s, one A and now one C++.

So I can't count. :confused:

High NR

I don't think we have the third A++ quite yet but its coming soon I understand. Right now Hippo is accurate but with the 3rd A++ there will be 5 S76s in the fleet.

stay tuned!

If it's Jayrow and oilfields related you'll find that the contract specifies that the aircraft used must be less than a certain number of years in age. I heard that those conditions were originally in the current contract, however for some reason they managed to get away with the old bangers they are using. Seems a current maintenance release simply isn't good enough!

Good to see the various operators are getting new machines at last Jayrow with the 76C++'s, CHC with the S-92 and hopefully Bristows may bring in some EC225's, for to long we have been getting the worn out heaps of s..t from Europe evan a s..t hole like Nigeria has lots of new machines. I think of all the offshore machines in Oz the S-92 with CHC and the C++'s with Jayrow are the only machines under 10,000 hrs/10 yrs in Oz (not sure if the Esso S-76C's are outside the 10,000/10 yet).

One operator is importing AS332Ls (3) from the UK, probably ex Shetland Islands. Two are heading up north while one will stay in Victoria for a contract based in Essendon.

UK CAA G-INFO database shows that AS332L S/N 2023 originally registered as G-BJXC (during its flight tests and for delivery) on 31/3/82 then as G-TIGB has been transferred to Australia. It must have 40000 hours by now.

Blackhawk 9 is right, Australia is the dumpster for all the old aircraft. The average age of the Super Pumas in Australia is around 24 years and its 25 for the 76 fleet. CHC and Jayrow will have the newest aircraft in their fleets with the 92 and the C++.

VH-XXX while you are quite right about the age and hours limitations in some, not all, offshore contracts. Recently though, capacity has been so tight that these conditions have been waived until more aircraft become available.

Very interesting that a C++ will make its way onto the VH register before a C+ ever did (or should say didn't). Crewing shouldn't be a problem, there are C+ drivers around and the transition from a C+ to a C++ wouldn't be as much as going from an A to a C, or a C to a C+. A C+ driver could almost jump in a ++, fly a few traffic patterns and you're right to go. No doubt the wheels go up and down the same, and the airframe improvements are inconsequential at the driver level. Obviously you'd want to look more closely at the C+/++ engine control differences. I'm guessing they've done away with the single channel/DDR on the C+ and gone for a proper dual channel FADEC on the ++. Not having seen a ++ yet or otherwise read much about it I can't be sure, just an educated guess.

I'd be interested in how the C++ performance numbers measure up against say, a B412EP at 40degC. From memory the C+ starts to die a bit around the 32degC mark. If the C++ can make some good Cat-A numbers hotter than that then it should be a good performer.

Let's hope they don't have to rip out the aircon to make the numbers.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong (hey, I know they replies will be thick & fast), but is this not the issue with all S-76's bar maybe the B with PT6's?
I mean, load any machine up and make it hot enough & performance will suffer, but I thought most 76's ran into power drama's above 30 degress (not to mention taking the wind away)?
Jeeze, I hope the C++ is different. Would be a welcome change. Gotta get something that handles the hot NW Shelf, kinda looks to me like there might be alittle bit of work there for a while?:hmm:
Had heard rumours about a AW139 being bought in net year, but I'll beleive that when I see it.
As far as the EC225. Chances look pretty good for an appearence next year. Maybe Broome me thinks?