Deccan Herald(30-06-2006)
http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/
PHLL to get more choppers
NEWDELHI: The stateowned Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL)will add at
least three choppers every year from next year in the light of increasing
demand from various sectors across the country.
Disclosing this while receiving PHHL’s seventh Bell helicopter, Bell 407,
here on Thursday,the PSU’sChairman and Managing Director Nagar Sridhar said
in the current Plan Period, PHHL would buy 10more choppers.
He hoped the Planning Commission gives assent to the demand of PHHL,which
currently has a fleet of 33 helicopters.
He said the company has seventeen 20-year-old choppers and they would be
sent for retrofitting so that they could be used for another 10-15 years.
One chopper has already been sent to France for retrofitting. Noting that
purchasing helicopters was not difficult as much as retaining and finding
new pilots and engineering staff, Mr Sridhar said PHHL lost about 40 pilots,
including retirements, in the recent past.
Speaking on the occasion, Bell India Chief Wing Commander (Retd) B S Singhdeo
said Bell was looking at setting up a training establishment in India.
The helicopter manufacturer has not decided on the location as yet.