Category Archives: Bristow Group

Bristow completes acquisition of British International Helicopter Services Limited

Bristow Group Inc., the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of British International Helicopter Services Limited (“BIH”) effective August 2, 2022, further enhancing its leading global Government Services offering.

Bristow will integrate BIH into its U.K. operations, where BIH will adopt the Bristow name and brand throughout its operations.

BIH’s more than 110 employees currently deliver combined search and rescue (SAR) and support helicopter services for the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) with operations in the Falkland Islandsand deliver Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) helicopter support for the Royal Navy in the U.K. BIH currently operates a fleet of two AW189 SAR-configured helicopters, three S61 helicopters, and one AS365 helicopter, performing various passenger and freight transport as well as hoist operations.

Bristow and Elroy Air sign Letter of Intent for 100 Chaparral VTOL aircraft

Bristow Group Inc. has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Elroy Air to pre-order 100 Chaparral hybrid-electric cargo VTOL aircraft.

The Chaparral will be the first of its kind vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft dedicated to cargo movement to be introduced into Bristow’s aircraft fleet. Bristow plans to use the Chaparral to serve logistics, healthcare, and energy applications. Additionally, the Chaparral provides a solution to challenges helicopter operators are facing across the world, including reducing emissions by introducing hybrid-electric powertrain and helping offset the pilot shortage by introducing autonomous aircraft for cargo operations.

  • The Chaparral will carry 300–500 pounds (136 to 226kg) of cargo over a 300-mile (482 km) range with its hybrid-electric powertrain and simple, redundant vertical and forward-flight propulsors
  • Bristow will leverage its 70+ years of aviation expertise to move time-sensitive cargo for logistics, healthcare and energy applications
  • Elroy Air expects to deliver 100 autonomous-flight Chaparral VTOL aircraft to Bristow

The first production version of the Chaparral will carry 300–500 pounds (136 to 226kg) of cargo over a 300-mile (482 km) range with its hybrid-electric powertrain and simple, redundant vertical and forward-flight propulsors. Goods are loaded into an underslung pod that latches to the fuselage and can autonomously be picked up and dropped off in a 50-foot landing square.

The Chaparral is the flying part of an integrated, high-throughput autonomous aerial logistics system. The vehicle can land, deposit cargo, pick up another load, and take-off again, all in just a few minutes and without operator interaction. Although operated autonomously, the Chaparral can also be remotely piloted to comply with civil aviation authorities and airspace integration policy.

To date, Elroy Air has secured agreements to supply 900 aircraft to commercial, defence and humanitarian customers. The LOI is expected to be replaced with a separate purchase agreement.

The Chaparral features distributed electric propulsion, with eight vertical lift rotors, four forward propellers for cruise flight, a high-wing airframe configuration, as well as automated ground autonomy and cargo-handling systems. Its airframe is fabricated using carbon composite materials.

Bristow Group to acquire British International Helicopter Services Limited

Bristow Group Inc. today announced its plans to acquire British International Helicopter Services Limited (BIH), further enhancing its leading global Government Services business.

Bristow will continue to build upon BIH’s strong relationships established through a longstanding history of serving both military and civilian markets. Bristow expects to realize efficiencies by leveraging its scale to continue providing safe and reliable vertical lift solutions in the region.

BIH will add to Bristow’s operations in the UK and adopt the Bristow name and brand throughout its operations. BIH currently operates a fleet of two AW189 SAR-configured helicopters, three S-61N helicopters, and one AS365 helicopter, performing various passenger and freight transport as well as hoist operations.

The acquisition is an all-cash transaction and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022, following required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Bristow and Overair form strategic partnership to introduce Butterfly; a zero emission, low-noise vertical transport vehicle

Overair, Inc., developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, today announced they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bristow Group Inc. , the world’s leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions to government and civil organizations. The two companies plan to collaborate on the development of the Butterfly commercialization plans.

Bristow has pre-ordered 20 to 50 Butterfly aircraft and both companies will work together to develop an operations development framework focusing on vehicle design considerations, key performance parameters, FAA certification, flight planning best practices, data sharing for improvement of flight operations, connected vehicle and health monitoring strategies, configuration and maintenance protocols, infrastructure, ground support operations, connected fleet management, and government affairs and promotion of eVTOL operations.

Bristow, one of the world’s largest and most experienced helicopter operators, plans to use the unique attributes of these eVTOL aircraft to help reduce its carbon footprint. The company understands the benefits of a varied fleet and intends to diversify its existing operations with Butterfly and other eVTOLs for commercial air taxi routes in metropolitan areas. Notably, of the vehicles Bristow is currently considering, Butterfly is the only aircraft with a vectored thrust configuration.

Bristow expects to optimize its fleet management strategy by matching eVTOL attributes with the most economically productive mission profiles. Butterfly’s low-noise profile, payload capacity and ability to fly in a broad range of weather conditions will be well-suited for high-density, noise sensitive routes in geographies with varied environmental concerns. The Butterfly aircraft features low maintenance costs and mechanical simplicity, which enables high vehicle uptime and utilization, increasing operator margins and passing value on to riders.

Bristow operates a SAF flight to an offshore oil rig!

Bristow Group Inc. announced today it completed an offshore revenue flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marking one of the first SAF-powered flights to an offshore operation in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The aircraft flew from Aberdeen to installations operated by bp.

As part of its strategic relationship with Air bp, Bristow used sustainable aviation fuel¹, fully certified to Jet A1 standards, as part of a demonstration utilizing a Bristow S-92.

Further flights are scheduled over the next two weeks with a view to SAF being provided as an option to all Bristow clients in the future.

Utilizing SAF for operational flights is one of many global initiatives, including an increased use of electric-powered ground support vehicles at select operating bases, as part of the Bristow’s efforts to significantly reduce its carbon emissions.

Sustainable aviation fuel is made from feedstocks such as used cooking oil and household waste, and its adoption is a key element in the global aviation industry’s commitment to reducing its total carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2050.

Bristow is the world’s largest helicopter operator and one of the UKCS’ most active aviation providers, with a broad client base throughout the United Kingdom.

Bristow used sustainable aviation fuel (grade Jet A-1/SAF) meeting Defense Standard 91-091 and ASTM D1655 standards for aviation turbine kerosene as part of a demonstration flight utilizing a Bristow S-92. The SAF blend supplied is 35% SAF and the SAF component provides a lifecycle carbon reduction of approximately 80% compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces.

Bristow Group successfully emerges from Chapter 11

Bristow Group Inc. has announced that it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, successfully completing its debt restructuring process and implementing the Chapter 11 reorganization plan confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on October 4, 2019.

Bristow has reduced its debt significantly and is emerging with $535 million of new capital, which it believes will provide significant financial flexibility to support its global operations. The Company also announced it has amended and reinstated its $75 million term loan as of its emergence.

L. Don Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bristow, said, “We are beginning this new chapter of Bristow’s proud history having achieved our key restructuring goals: a stronger balance sheet and improved liquidity that will enable us to continue providing industry-leading service to our global client base. I would like to commend our global team for its unwavering focus on delivering safe and efficient service to our clients and passengers as we navigated the restructuring process.”

Miller continued, “We are committed to further building on our global leadership role in offshore oil and gas transportation and search and rescue. As we have throughout this process, we remain focused on being ‘best in class’ for all our stakeholders, particularly our employees, customers and new owners as we continue to look for ways to drive innovation and efficiencies across the global business.”

In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, Bristow’s new Board of Directors has assumed its responsibilities. The new Board will be chaired by Aris Kekedjian, and includes Wesley E. Kern, Robert J. Manzo, Lorin L. Brass, G. Mark Mickelson, Brian D. Truelove, Hooman Yazhari and L. Don Miller, who will continue to serve on the Board. Former Bristow director Ian A. Godden will continue to serve as chairman of Bristow Aviation Holding Limited, Bristow’s U.K. affiliate, and serve in an advisory role to Bristow.

Bristow Group files for Chapter 11 reorganization

Bristow Group Inc. has announced that the Company has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Bristow intends to use the proceedings to restructure and strengthen its balance sheet and achieve a more sustainable debt profile, while continuing to provide safe, reliable and professional industrial aviation services to its global clients well into the future.

All of Bristow’s businesses are operating in the ordinary course and are anticipated to continue to do so for the duration of the Chapter 11 process. The Chapter 11 filings pertain to certain of Bristow’s legal entities in the United States and two of its Cayman Islands subsidiaries.

Bristow’s other non-U.S. entities, including those holding Bristow’s non-U.S. air operating certificates (“AOCs”), are not included in the Chapter 11 filings.

The following eight entities are included in the filing: Bristow Group Inc., BHNA Holdings Inc., Bristow Alaska Inc., Bristow Helicopters Inc., Bristow U.S. Leasing LLC, Bristow U.S. LLC, BriLog Leasing Ltd. and Bristow Equipment Leasing Ltd.


Bristow Group Inc. is the world’s leading industrial aviation service provider offering helicopter transportation, search and rescue (SAR) and aircraft support services to government and civil organizations worldwide.

Bristow’s strategically located global fleet supports operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; as well as in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. Bristow provides SAR services to the private sector worldwide and to the public sector for all of the U.K. on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

All photos by the airline.

Bristow and Columbia Helicopters terminate proposed transaction

Bristow Group Inc. and Columbia Helicopters, Inc. have announced that Bristow and Columbia have mutually agreed to terminate Bristow’s agreement to acquire Columbia.

In connection with the termination, Bristow has paid $20 million to Columbia.  Bristow, Columbia and Columbia’s shareholders have agreed to release each other from all claims in connection with the purchase agreement and the related transactions.

All photos by Columbia Helicopters.

Sikorsky delivers its first S-76D to the Bristow Group

SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP. S-76D(TM) HELICOPTER

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Stratford, CT) announced today that it delivered its first fully configured S-76D helicopter, the latest in the long and highly successful Sikorsky S-76 commercial aircraft family, to the Bristow Group Inc. in December. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation.

The delivery follows an announcement in March 2013 that Bristow would acquire up to 26 S-76D helicopters to transport oil rig workers to and from offshore platforms.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the Type Certificate for the baseline S-76D aircraft in October 2012. In the ensuing year, the Sikorsky Flight Test program expanded certifications. The S-76D helicopter achieved FAA certification for offshore oil operations on Oct. 31, enabling Sikorsky to deliver completed aircraft for that mission. This certification increases the S-76D helicopter’s maximum gross weight to 11,875 pounds and allows up to 12 passengers for operations in the offshore oil configuration. The S-76D helicopter also received an expanded baseline certification, allowing the aircraft to operate in a wider range of environments.

The S-76D helicopter has quickly proven popular with customers, with a current backlog exceeding $700 million. Sikorsky has delivered more than 800 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1979, contributing daily to a growing 6-million-plus fleet flight hour total.

The S-76D helicopter’s baseline equipment includes powerful and efficient Pratt & Whitney CanadaPW210S engines; an advanced THALES TopDeck ® integrated avionics system and four-axis autopilot; Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) incorporated into fleet monitoring and analysis through Sikorsky Aerospace Services; active vibration control; and all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades. A Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather capability will be available as an option.

Bristow Group Inc., which currently operates more than 100 Sikorsky helicopters, 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. Bristow 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 Australia, Brazil, Canada,Russia and Trinidad.

Copyright Photo: Sikorsky.