Sikorsky is formally recognizing PHI Aviation at HAI’s Heli-Expo this week for a record-breaking year of search-and-rescue missions conducted with its fleet of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters.

According to Sikorsky (Booth C1020), PHI Aviation’s search-and-rescue (SAR) team based in Western Australia completed a historic number of rescue missions with its S-92s in 2022. The team conducted 19 missions during which it logged more than 82 flight hours and rescued 146 people, 20 of whom the team hoisted to safety.

The Australian SAR team responded to both offshore and inland emergencies with multiple casualties, such as boating accidents, major flooding events, and other medical evacuations. Sikorsky said the most notable mission the team conducted in 2022 involved a nighttime rescue of an injured crew member on a boat located about 350 miles offshore. To complete the 700-mile round trip over the Indian Ocean, the helicopter had to stop to refuel at an offshore installation. 

PHI (Booth C3820) has conducted SAR missions in Broome, Western Australia, since 2017. More recently the company has expanded those operations to include Truscott and Exmouth, located east and west of Broome, respectively. So far the company has completed at least 104 offshore medical evacuations and 59 government and community support missions in Australia. In total, the company operates a fleet of 34 S-92s across the Americas, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 

“On behalf of our teams around the world and especially our Australian SAR crews involved in these life-saving missions, we are incredibly proud and honored to be recognized by Sikorsky,” said Cory Latiolais, PHI Aviation’s chief operating officer.