PHI (Petroleum Helicopters International, Inc.) is an American commercial helicopter operator, founded in 1949, by Robert L. Suggs. PHI is based in Lafayette, Louisiana and provides service for the oil and gas industry, aeromedical services, pilot training and aircraft maintenance. With branches in New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Ghana, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, PHI run one of the largest commercial helicopter fleets in the world.
PHI has an advanced and varied fleet of helicopters including: Sikorsky, Airbus, Bell and Leonardo.
PHI contacted SafeSmart in New Zealand looking for an access solution for their mechanics working on the Leonardo AW139. Their engineers were very specific about what they needed in a platform solution.
• Mobile Platforms to meet AS/NZS standards • Ensure regularly accessed service points were within easy reach, designing bracing elements so they would not block entry or be a hazard. • Working heights were also critical, so the platform needed to be height adjustable to be adapted to working on different parts of the machine.
SafeSmart’s R&D team designed a Modular Platform System with Mobile Stairs which could be used for multiple access points around the helicopters.
The outcome was very satisfactory for both parties. “We found the consultative approach of SafeSmart very beneficial. We could introduce a new requirement or idea and their CAD designers could make the changes and we would be able to review in a 3D format. The end result was a bespoke unit to suit the working methods of our mechanics.” said Pierre Lavoie, PHI’s NZ Technical Director.