Colombia's civil aviation authority Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil (UAEAC) has approved the Offshore and Utility Type Certificate for Sikorsky's S-76C series (C, C+, C++), S-76D and S-92A helicopters.

The certificate enables Colombia's commercial aviation operators to add the multi-role helicopters for transportation of workers or cargo to offshore oil and gas rigs, as well as regional airline passenger service, and VIP transportation.

UAEAC signed the certificate Nov. 9, capping an intensive flight test program to introduce the commercial aircraft manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, to Colombia.

"The approval by UAEAC authorizing transportation companies across Colombia to operate the S-76D and S-76C medium helicopters and heavy lift S-92 in Colombia is an exciting development," said Dana Fiatarone, vice president, Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services. "These multi-role aircraft will provide profitable, high reliability flight operations to local operators."

"Colombians know the robustness, reliability and industry leading safety record of Sikorsky products thanks to the history of Black Hawks in Colombia, where more than 100 have operated for over 20 years," said Adam Schierholz, Sikorsky Regional Executive for Latin America. "As Colombia moves to a peacetime footing, with infrastructure development and oil exploration as priorities, it is a natural progression to have Sikorsky commercial products introduced to the country."

In Colombia, Sikorsky maintains training and support facilities in Melgar that employ more than 40 Colombian national employees. These facilities operate as Sikorsky's regional hub for support in Latin America.