A Sikorsky S-92 flying to an offshore oil platform on March 7 became the first aircraft to use a new real-time health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) on a commercial service. The aircraft, operated by PHI Inc., is fitted with new technology developed by PHI in partnership with Sikorsky and Metro Aviation that the companies say is a major safety breakthrough.

Real-time HUMS transmits data from multiple aircraft systems to PHI’s operations control center where staff can view, assess and track around 5,000 health parameters within seconds. Ground personnel can then alert pilots to any issues and provide them the information they need to determine whether it is necessary to land at the earliest opportunity. The data also enhances maintenance planning.

The upgraded HUMS equipment provides aircraft position reports every 10 seconds, compared with every 1 or 2 minutes with previous technology. “We know exactly where the aircraft is at all times and can make the best decisions,” said Pat Attaway, PHI’s director of oil-and-gas operations.

According to PHI chief operating officer Lance Bospflug, the real-time HUMS marks a significant step forward in technology that avoids the need for operators to depend on radio communications. “How many times have you [ground support staff] been crouched by a radio waiting to hear from the air crew,” he asked rhetorically at a Sikorsky press conference at the Heli-Expo show. “It’s like playing 20 questions, and it’s very frustrating for the ground and air crew. Real-time HUMS gives us what we need to help the aircraft. It can avoid having AOG situations in bad locations, and can help return an aircraft to service very quickly.”

Metro Aviation president Mike Stanberry added: “We are bringing revolutionary technology to our industry. We now have the ability to predict events by analyzing historical data in real time. That innovation helps operators more efficiently run their fleets and could well be life-saving. It takes the ‘S’ out of search and rescue and means that air crew are no longer alone when something goes wrong offshore.”