Company info

15 june 2010: Integration of Sikorsky S-76 C++ helicopters in Héli-Union's fleet

Héli-Union, a key international competitor in the offshore helicopter transport on plateforms, diversifies its fleet with the integration of new Sikorsky S-76 C++ type helicopters. These 6 helicopters, whose delivery is extending over a one year period, enhance the company's fleet which is mainly composed of Eurocopter helicopters.


Héli-Union already operated many Sikorsky helicopters in the past and has got today a sound experience on S-76 A++ and S-76 C+ helicopters types.

The S-76 C++ acquired by Héli-Union all display a configuration adapted to the public transport of passengers in an offshore environment. Fitted with the most recent navigation systems, they offer a greater transport capacity and enrich the helicopters catalogue supplied to the clients. These medium-size helicopters are able to transport up to 12 passengers, covering a distance up to 150 Nm.

On board equipments offer a significant comfort for passengers as well as pilots and increase the safety of these helicopters up to the level required by the oil and gas companies. Fitted with systems such as EVXP (Health and Usage Monitoring System), EGPWS, PA 4 Axes, EFIS, Skytrac, Radar…the helicopter avionics architecture is extended with safety systems like AFDS (Automatic Float Deployment System) and external life rafts. The passenger's cabin is more spacious and thus more comfortable.

The integration of a new type of helicopters supplied by another manufacturer in a fleet always requires the setting up of processes in all the company's fields, from the operational as well as technical point of view. Héli-Union was well prepared for the implementation of all the steps enabling the integration of this new type of helicopters.

Supplied in the United States with their final configuration, these helicopters are shipped to France before joining their international site of operations (Africa, Asia). The delivery process agreed jointly between Sikorsky and Héli-Union enables the company to check the helicopter's conformity with ground, flight and documentary check operations before their shipment to France by sea or air.

The first four S-76 C++ arrived in 2009, it was the conclusion of the company internal project, but also the classification by the French Authority (first S-76 C++ in France).

The next delivery deadlines foreseen in August 2010 are now in progress.

13 june 2010: Aeronaval celebrates its 100 years

Héli-Union is partner of the Air Show which is organized on the Naval Air base of Hyères (France) on Sunday, June 13th, 2010.

For this occasion, the Aeronaval will celebrate its 100 years : a major event for the French Navy since 20 to 30 000 visitors are expected to discover helicopter in static and flying displays.

Héli-Union is happy to participate in this important event, so strengthening the historic relation with the French Navy regarding the support of the Dolphin helicopters dedicated to search and rescue missions and maritime security.

7 December 2005 : Issue of a book about Heli-Union

A book entitled "Heli-Union : Une saga aéronautique au 20e siècle" (only available in French) has just been published by DG Consulting / Air Photographique publishers. The author, Philippe Boulay, has based his story upon canny accounts witnessed by ex- and current Heli-Union's crews, following an initiative of Heli-Union's Crews' Association, as well as contributions from the senior management of the Company.

This book relates the story of Heli-Union since its foundation in 1961 and the activities developed around helicopters, at the core of Heli-Union's business.

The book (see front page below) can be purchased for 35 €.

Have a pleasant reading !

Download the purchase order

28 June 2005 : Delivery of the 800th Dauphin AS 365 N3 to Heli-Union

Heli-Union officially took delivery of the 800th Dauphin AS 365 N3 manufactured by Eurocopter at the 2005 Bourget air show (13-19 June).

This new acquisition reflects the following objectives of Heli-Union in regards with our Operations business unit :

• First, to continue to be a key player worldwide in the offshore aerial services in partnership with oil companies;
• Second, to modernise the fleet of Heli-Union (65m € invested over the last 3 years) in order to fulfil our customers' aspirations.

Heli-Union has operated all types of Dauphin helicopter since its foundation in 1961 : C, C2, C3, N, N1, N2 and now N3.

Today, Heli-Union's fleet of such helicopters is made up of 4 C2/C3, 8 N, 2 N2 et 5 N3 helicopter-types.

At the beginning of 2006, 2 new AS 365 N3 helicopter will be delivered to Heli-Union to strengthen our fleet of such helicopters.

The 800th N3 will actually be operated in Kazakhstan from this summer onwards on behalf of the local company EURO ASIA AIR, the Chairman of which took part in the present ceremony.

29 april 2005 : Launch of the web site of Heli-Union

Heli-Union is very happy to welcome you on our site and would like to share with you what is, for some of you, a passion, for others a leisure and for us a professional vocation at the core of our three businesses: the helicopter.

The French version of Heli-Union's website was put into line on 29 April 2005. The present English version appeared on 07 June 2005.

The creation and development of this site seek to address various needs uttered by both Heli-Union's personnel and our company's current and potential clients:

• To have a communication tool that is accessible to most of us in order to present the company's core businesses, its know-how, its experience and its fleet of helicopters;
• To get closer to our customers and communicate about our aerial work and air commercial transportation services;
• To communicate towards the national civil aviation authorities that control and regulate Heli-Union's businesses;
• To promote the image of the company, its professionalism and enhance its reputation within the aeronautics industry, especially in regards to helicopter activities;
• To feature the facilities of Heli-Union Training Center, particularly the FNPT II-type flight simulator;
• To introduce our visitors to Heli-Union's fleet and the main technical characteristics of our helicopters;
• To recruit new staff in order to support Heli-Union's growth.

We do hope that this site lives up to the expectations of each of you.

However, do not hesitate to give us your feedback. We shall endeavour, as we did to develop this site, to take your views into account with a view to improving the quality of this tool.

Heli-Union