Since launching in August 2010, Milestone has provided over US $500 million in finance to operators around the world including Bristow, CHC and Inaer. The partnership between Eurocopter and Milestone is seen as a major development as it ‘removes the capital hurdle related with ownership’ according to Eurocopter’s President and CEO, Lutz Bertling and will allow more operators to introduce the helicopter into their fleets.

Richard Santulli, Chairman of Milestone Aviation Group, said, “This historic order enables Milestone to provide our customers with the best aircraft and product options available. The EC225 has a great pedigree and a reputation for providing leadership in safety and high reliability in demanding operating conditions. I leased all of the original Super Pumas, the EC225’s predecessor, delivered in North America in the 1980s with my old company RTS Helicopters, so this deal signals the resumption of a very important partnership.”

“The EC225 is a remarkable aircraft and we are excited to be able to offer it to abroader audience of potential operators through our partnership with Milestone,” said Lutz Bertling, Eurocopter’s President and CEO. “By removing the capital hurdle associated with ownership we are hopeful that we can introduce the EC225 to more operators around the world.”

Eurocopter’s EC225 offers superior speed, range, payload, optimal safety and reliability. Deployed worldwide for civil and military search and rescue, as well as off-shore and passenger transport missions, it is the latest-generation member of the Super Puma/Cougar family, which has logged more than four million flight hours in operations around the globe.

The EC225 is perfectly adapted to missions in severe weather, as it is designed to meet the highest safety standard levels with system redundancy, a highly capable automatic flight control system, and the capability for full deicing – which allows flight in all known icing conditions.

When configured for offshore crew change operations in support of oil and gas producers, the EC225 can be rapidly converted for search and rescue operations.

“We are honoured that Eurocopter has shown this trust in Milestone by partnering on the EC225”, said William Kelly, Milestone’s CEO. “We look forward to working closely with our partners as we place these helicopters with high-quality operators around the world providing mission critical services in the oil and gas industry, parapublic services, mining and search and rescue”

Bristow leases

Milestone Aviation Group and Bristow Group announced its lewase agreements at the HAI Heli-Expo. they completed operating leases in December 2011 for two Eurocopter EC-225s deliverable in mid-2012 and anticipate closing the leases for three 2011 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters later this quarter. All five helicopters are expected to operate in the North Sea. The total value of the five aircraft is in the range of $125 to $135 million.

Richard Santulli, Milestone Chairman, said, “We are delighted to enter into a financing relationship with Bristow, which operates the world’s largest fleet of commercial helicopters for the offshore oil and gas industry. Our level of commitment combined with the reputation of this world-class operator truly makes this a landmark deal for Milestone.”

William E. Chiles, Bristow Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The terms of these agreements, with Milestone covering 100% of the acquisition cost of the aircraft, meet our commercial needs to better manage our financial performance. What’s more, Milestone brought capital, creativity and commitment to the transaction process. We look forward to building a broader relationship with the Milestone team in the future.”

According to Milestone helicopter operators are utilizing operating leases more frequently to diversify their capital structure, take advantage of the low capital requirements, improve cash flow, reduce risk and increase operational flexibility. The lessor has positioned itself to structure and execute lease transactions that meet the diverse needs of operators worldwide and also provide capital to operators during periods when alternative sources are limited or unavailable due to market constraints.

This agreement with Bristow Group marks the largest for Milestone Aviation Group since its launch in August 2010. The company currently has an asset portfolio representing more than $500 million in financing commitments and now holds leases with three of the four largest global helicopter operators in the world.

“Through the Global Support Partnership, Turbomeca and Milestone are jointly developing new engine support solutions and services for Milestone’s lease customers around the world,” the companies said. The first support program to be developed is the Milestone Support by the Hour program, which will provide “added value and other ancillary benefits to Milestone’s customers.” Turbomeca will manage this global support partnership using its worldwide network of support sites and numerous affiliate maintenance centers. “We are excited to announce this strategically important collaboration with Milestone,” said Turbomeca chairman and CEO Olivier Andries. “Milestone presents a new opportunity for us to expand our customer base.”

Milestone chairman Richard Santulli said the partnership “will help a large segment of our customers to control their operating costs.” He added that the announcement “is only the beginning.” Milestone COO Matthew Harris told AIN that his company intends to “provide more solutions” with Turbomeca, as well as additional OEMs and suppliers, “to continue to look for ways to add value for our customers.”

by CHAD TRAUTVETTER

The companies completed operating leases in December 2011 for two Eurocopter EC225s deliverable in mid-2012 and anticipates closing the leases for three 2011 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters later this quarter. All five helicopters are expected to operate in the North Sea. The total value of the five aircraft is in the range of $125 to $135 million.

Richard Santulli, Milestone chairman said “We are delighted to enter into a financing relationship with Bristow, which operates the world’s largest fleet of commercial helicopters for the offshore oil and gas industry. Our level of commitment combined with the reputation of this world-class operator truly makes this a landmark deal for Milestone.”

William E. Chiles, Bristow Group president and chief executive officer said “The terms of these agreements, with Milestone covering 100% of the acquisition cost of the aircraft, meet our commercial needs to better manage our financial performance. What’s more, Milestone brought capital, creativity and commitment to the transaction process. We look forward to building a broader relationship with the Milestone team in the future.”

Milestone chairman Richard Santulli is used to catching the aviation industry’s attention. His previous job was as founder and CEO of NetJets, which developed the fractional ownership model for business jets. Milestone has provided $500 million in financing for helicopters since opening its doors in 2010.

Santulli said Milestone’s model is different from that of the leasing companies that have been a staple of the airline world for years. “They buy 50 airplanes. That’s all they do,” he told AIN. “Our business is developing partnerships and relationships with operators. Our major paradigm is to provide financial capital to good operators.”

Milestone can offer either lease arrangements or 100 percent financing for helicopter purchases, and works with large operators seeking more flexibility in deploying capital or small operators without the capital to grow. The only requirement is that the helicopters be used in revenue-generating missions rather than executive transport.

The oil and gas industry is playing a large role in Milestone’s growth. When petroleum companies put out tenders or solicitations, operators bidding on the work must include the serial number of any helicopter they intend to use to provide the service. If the operator doesn’t have the lift capacity in its fleet, it may not have the wherewithal to put down a deposit for a delivery position for the helicopter – or take the risk of not getting the contract. But Milestone does.

Milestone will place the order for the needed helicopter, and finance the transaction, if the bidding company gets the contract. If the operator doesn’t get the contract, Milestone is happy to take possession of the aircraft for its leasing business.

“These very good operators around the world can now bid on tenders,” Santulli explained.

CEO William Kelly added, “A lot of the oil and gas companies like that. It gives them other people to compete [for the contract].” For Santulli, the move to Milestone from NetJets has been something of a homecoming. “I started in helicopters. In 1980 I started RTS helicopters.” (Santulli’s initials.) And he brought many of his NetJets colleagues with him, which he said gives the company an unparalleled ability to size up all facets of a potential client’s operation.

As for what it’s like to start Milestone after the huge success of NetJets, Santulli said, “We’re delighted with where we are. To build something again is a nice thing.”

By JAMES WYNBRANDT

“In a very short time, Milestone Aviation has become one of the pre-eminent helicopter lessors and an important and highly valued customer,” said Bob Kokorda, Sikorsky Sales & Marketing Vice President. “We deeply appreciate their business, and look forward to growing our relationship.”

The three aircraft join a growing inventory of seven S-76C++ helicopters and four additional S-92 aircraft Milestone has purchased since December of 2010.

The new aircraft will serve a variety of roles with operators worldwide, such as transporting workers to offshore oil and gas platforms, VIP transport including Head of State, air ambulance, search and rescue, and civil defense.

“Our most recent purchase is further testament to the quality of the Sikorsky product line,” said Richard Santulli, Chairman of Milestone. “Demand for these machines is extraordinary, and they will quickly enter the field performing mission critical or utility work with operators in the oil and gas, EMS or search and rescue sectors.”

Sikorsky plans to deliver the first two S-92 aircraft during the latter part of 2012; and the third aircraft in early 2013.

Milestone Aviation Group is the first global aircraft leasing company exclusively focused on helicopters. Milestone’s global aircraft leasing platform addresses the liquidity needs of a transforming marketplace through 100% operating lease financing. Since launching in August 2012, Milestone has leased more than 40 aircraft valued at more than $500 million. Further information is available at www.milestoneaviation.com.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems.

# # #

Sikorsky media contacts:
Frans Jurgens
Phone: 203-386-6443
Mobile: 203-615-8293
frans.jurgens@sikorsky.com

Paul Jackson
Phone: 203-386-7143
Paul.Jackson@sikorsky.com

Leading helicopter engine manufacturer Turbomeca (Safran group), and Milestone Aviation Group, the world’s top helicopter lessor, announced at Heli-Expo today the beginning of an expansive partnership between the two companies.

Through the Global Support Partnership, Turbomeca and Milestone are jointly developing new engine support solutions and services for Milestone’s lease customers around the world. The first support program to be developed is the unique Milestone Support by the Hour (SBH®) program, which will provide added value and other ancillary benefits to Milestone’s customers.

“We are excited to announce this strategically important collaboration with Milestone,” said Olivier Andries, Chairman and CEO of Turbomeca. “Milestone presents a new opportunity for us to expand our customer base through their market leading global lease portfolio of Turbomeca-powered helicopters.”

“This partnership will help a large segment of our customers to control their operating costs,” said Richard Santulli, Chairman of Milestone Aviation Group. “The Turbomeca team has proven to be very creative in working with us to develop new support solutions and services. Today’s announcement is only the beginning.”

Turbomeca will manage this global support partnership using Turbomeca’s international network of its support sites and numerous affiliate maintenance centers, thus offering a global solution with local interface for Milestone’s customers.

* * * * *

Milestone Aviation Group is the first global aircraft leasing company exclusively focused on helicopters. Milestone’s global aircraft leasing platform addresses the liquidity needs of a transforming marketplace through 100% operating lease financing. Since launching in August 2010, Milestone has leased more than 40 aircraft valued at more than $500 million. The company has placed future orders for more than $750 million in helicopters. Further information is available at www.milestoneaviation.com.

Turbomeca (Safran group) is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer, and has produced over 68 000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. Offering the widest range of engines in the world and dedicated to 2,350 customers in 155 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity service thanks to its 16 sites, 26 Maintenance Centers, 24 Repair & Overhaul Centers and 90 Field representatives and Field technicians. Microturbo, the subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, drones and auxiliary power units.

For more information: www.turbomeca.com and www.safran-group.com.

Turbomeca (Safran group) Press Contacts

Bettina FREY
VP, Communications
Tel +33(0)5 59 90 96 23
bettina.frey@turbomeca.fr

Chantal REISS
External Communications Manager
Tél +33 (0)5 59 90 96 40
chantal.reiss@turbomeca.fr

Milestone Aviation Group Press Contacts
Bryan CULLEN
+353 1 205 1673 W
+ 353 87 913 2736 M
bcullen@milestoneaviation.com

In a further indication of the health of the helicopter leasing sector, Milestone Aviation signed a $480 million order for 16 EC225 helicopters at the Heli-Expo exhibition in Dallas on February 12.

Milestone Aviation CEO William Kelly told Shephard the company was excited about this first partnership with Eurocopter and the company was pleased to remove the ‘capital hurdle’ of operating the aircraft for users.

Kelly said since launching in August 2010, the company had provided more than $600 million in financing to a number of operators around the world. While the benefits of the leasing model had obvious appeal for smaller operators, Kelly said they had been surprised at the level of interest shown by the larger operators. Milestone has signed agreements with Bristow, CHC and Inaer.

‘What has surprised us is that we have those deals with the biggest operators. But as they are growing their balance sheet, they like the flexibility that this provides,’ Kelly said.

The 16 EC225s will be delivered over three years from 2013 and will be configured as per operator demand.

Alongside the Eurocopter order, the company also signed a contract at Heli-Expo to purchase three S-92 helicopters.

While Milestone is the first global aircraft leasing company to focus exclusively on helicopters, the company recently received competition in the form of Lease Corporation International’s (LCI) new helicopter division.

At Heli-Expo it was announced that LCI, which is the aviation division of the Libra Group, had signed a $400 million agreement for purchase of a fleet of AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters.

In a statement, LCI said it expected to be active in a number of markets including offshore oil and gas, SAR and aero-medical transport.

‘Today’s announcement is the culmination of careful analysis and observation of this sector. As a dynamic lessor we are confident that now is the time to make this move given the high level of unfulfilled demand for new generation helicopters, which the innovative, market-leading AgustaWestland helicopters are well placed to meet,’ Crispin Maunder, LCI executive chairman, said after the signing.

A spokesman for AgustaWestland said the aircraft would be delivered over the next five years, although he declined to specify the number of aircraft covered in the order.

He noted the commonality advances of purchasing the three types, which share a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concepts.

Asked about LCI’s entrance into the helicopter leasing market, Kelly said it was an indication of the health of the sector and anyone who was able to help ‘educate the banks’ about the leasing model was always welcome.

All five helicopters are anticipated to operate in the North Sea, with the two Eurocopter EC-225s likely to be delivered in mid-2012. Bristow Group president and chief executive officer William Chiles commented “The terms of these agreements, with Milestone covering 100% of the acquisition cost of the aircraft, meet our commercial needs to better manage our financial performance. What’s more, Milestone brought capital, creativity and commitment to the transaction process.”

Click Here to View the Article Online

Eurocopter’s embrace of a partnership with Milestone on the EC225 is a major development for the helicopter industry. Since launching in August 2010, Milestone has provided over US $500 million in finance to high quality operators around the world including Bristow, CHC and Inaer.  Now Milestone can deliver increased value to its customers through timely delivery slots for EC225 aircraft allowing its partners to bid on tenders.

Richard Santulli, Chairman of Milestone Aviation Group, said, “This historic order enables Milestone to provide our customers with the best aircraft and product options available. The EC225 has a great pedigree and a reputation for providing leadership in safety and high reliability in demanding operating conditions.” He continued, “I leased all of the original Super Pumas, the EC225’s predecessor, delivered in North America in the 1980’s with my old company RTS Helicopters, so this deal signals the resumption of a very important partnership.”

“The EC225 is a remarkable aircraft and we are excited to be able to offer it to a broader audience of potential operators through our partnership with Milestone,” said Lutz Bertling, Eurocopter’s President and CEO. “By removing the capital hurdle associated with ownership we are hopeful that we can introduce the EC225 to more operators around the world.”

Eurocopter’s EC225 offers superior speed, range, payload, optimal safety and reliability. Deployed worldwide for civil and military search and rescue, as well as off-shore and passenger transport missions, it is the latest-generation member of the Super Puma/Cougar family, which has logged more than four million flight hours in operations around the globe.

The EC225 is perfectly adapted to missions in severe weather, as it is designed to meet the highest safety standard levels with system redundancy, a highly capable automatic flight control system, and the capability for full deicing – which allows flight in all known icing conditions.
When configured for offshore crew change operations in support of oil and gas producers, the EC225 can be rapidly converted for search and rescue operations.

“We are honoured that Eurocopter has shown this trust in Milestone by partnering on the EC225”, said William Kelly, Milestone’s CEO. “We look forward to working closely with our partners as we place these helicopters with high-quality operators around the world providing mission critical services in the oil and gas industry, parapublic services, mining and search and rescue”

About MILESTONE AVIATION GROUP

Milestone Aviation Group is the first global aircraft leasing company exclusively focused on helicopters. Milestone’s global aircraft leasing platform addresses the liquidity needs of the market through 100% operating lease financing. Since launching in August 2010, Milestone has leased more than 40 aircraft valued at more than $500 million. Further information is available at www.milestoneaviation.com.

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Milestone Aviation Group

Bryan Cullen:
Tel: +353 1 205 1673
Mob: +353 879 132 736
bcullen@milestoneaviation.com

Griffin Weiler:
Tel: +1 614 233 2303
Mob: +1 814 883 6154
gweiler@milestoneaviation.com

Eurocopter Group

Stéphane Chéry
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 60 51
Mob: + 33 (0)6 23 93 71 23
stephane.chery@eurocopter.com

Pascale Fleury
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 62 38
Mob: + 33 (0)6 32 54 05 02
pascale.fleury@eurocopter.com

Julie Guérin
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 59 64
Mob: + 33 (0)6 22 00 34 73
Julie.guerin@eurocopter.com

Gloria Illas
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 58 89
Mob: +33 (0) 6 31 47 08 99
gloria.illas@eurocopter.com

Website: www.eurocopter.com

The companies completed operating leases in December 2011 for two Eurocopter EC225s deliverable in mid-2012 and anticipates closing the leases for three 2011 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters later this quarter.  All five helicopters are expected to operate in the North Sea.  The total value of the five aircraft is in the range of $125 to $135 million.

Richard Santulli, Milestone Chairman, said, “We are delighted to enter into a financing relationship with Bristow, which operates the world’s largest fleet of commercial helicopters for the offshore oil and gas industry.  Our level of commitment combined with the reputation of this world-class operator truly makes this a landmark deal for Milestone.”

William E. Chiles, Bristow Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The terms of these agreements, with Milestone covering 100% of the acquisition cost of the aircraft, meet our commercial needs to better manage our financial performance. What’s more, Milestone brought capital, creativity and commitment to the transaction process. We look forward to building a broader relationship with the Milestone team in the future.”

Today, helicopter operators are utilizing operating leases more frequently to diversify their capital structure, take advantage of the low capital requirements, improve cash flow, reduce risk and increase operational flexibility.  Milestone is uniquely positioned to structure and execute lease transactions that meet the diverse needs of operators worldwide and also provide capital to operators during periods when alternative sources are limited or unavailable due to market constraints.

This agreement with Bristow Group marks the largest for Milestone Aviation Group since its launch in August 2010. The company currently has an asset portfolio representing more than $500 million in financing commitments and now holds leases with three of the four largest global helicopter operators in the world.

###

Note to the Editor:

ABOUT MILESTONE AVIATION GROUP

Milestone Aviation Group is the first global aircraft leasing company exclusively focused on helicopters. Milestone’s global aircraft leasing platform addresses the liquidity needs of the market through 100% operating lease financing. Since launching in August 2010, Milestone has leased more than 40 aircraft valued at more than $500 million. Further information is available at www.milestoneaviation.com.

ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC.

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Trinidad. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.bristowgroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Milestone Aviation Group
Bryan Cullen:
Tel: +353 1 205 1673
Mob: +353 879 132 736
bcullen@milestoneaviation.com

Griffin Weiler:
Tel: +1 614 233 2303
Mob: +1 814 883 6154
gweiler@milestoneaviation.com

Bristow Group Inc.
Mary Jane Mudd, Global Communications Director
Tel: +1 713 267 7661
Maryjane.mudd@bristowgroup.com