Ireland-based Waypoint Leasing, an independent global helicopter leasing company, released the results of a study conducted to measure the value proposition of the super medium helicopter model in a changing oil and gas industry.

Highlights from the report, which will be shared via publication and a series of Waypoint-hosted webinars, include an overview of the super medium model as the defining new commercial rotary product of the last five to 10 years, aimed at filling the gap between the 6/7-ton medium aircraft and 11/12-ton heavy aircraft, as well as a discussion around their payload/range capabilities. Additionally, the study looks at the competitiveness of S-92s brought about by changes in the oil and gas industry in recent years.

Ian Gurekian, Waypoint chief risk officer and author of the study, said, “Super medium helicopter models were conceptually introduced during a time when the oil and gas industry was in an upswing. When those market dynamics changed in recent years, the question became whether improved super medium operating economics still justified the capital outlay needed for new aircraft in that class. Through this report, we objectively examine payload, range and operating cost information provided by OEM’s to quantify the continued value proposition of the super mediums in today’s marketplace vis-à-vis existing capacity.”

Ed Washecka, Waypoint CEO, added, “There are over 50 super mediums in service today and over 200 on order, showing that this class of helicopter will be a significant capacity provider well into the future. Our report takes a detailed look at the potential behind those numbers, which allows us to provide our customers with the most up to date analytics around this relatively new class of aircraft.”