Milestone and Sikorsky Showcase Landmark S 92 Helicopter at Verticon
ATLANTA, Georgia, — March 9, 2026 — The Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, and Sikorsky - a Lockheed Martin company - today announced the display of a landmark Sikorsky S 92 helicopter, tail number 920006, at Verticon 2026. As the first ever S 92 to enter commercial service in September 2004, this aircraft represents more than two decades of global operational excellence, fleet sustainment, and the enduring capability of the S 92 platform.
Since entering service, the aircraft has built a distinguished operational legacy, beginning its life supporting offshore energy missions in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) before expanding its global footprint. The aircraft has flown with three operators across multiple jurisdictions and regions, transitioning seamlessly between mission types.
Demonstrating the multi mission versatility of the S 92, the aircraft transitioned into firefighting in 2024. In 2025, it completed an exceptionally strong firefighting season in Canada with operator VIH, flying more than 550 hours. In total, the S-92 helicopter has accumulated over 15,600 flight hours - a testament to its reliability and significant remaining life, well within the 30,000 hour certified lifespan of the S 92 airframe.
The presence of S 92 (920006) at Verticon underscores the proven capability, adaptability, and value of the S 92 family across traditional and emerging mission profiles. Its remarkable operational journey stands as a testament to the strength of the Sikorsky–Milestone partnership and the enduring performance of the S 92 platform.
Pat Sheedy, President & Chief Executive Officer, Milestone, said, “The evolution of this S-92 stands as a clear demonstration of the value of the operating lease model in supporting the transition of aircraft through their natural lifecycle. Milestone is delighted to have partnered with Helitak Firefighting Equipment and VIH on this project, and we are pleased to see the life of 920006 continue strongly into the future.”
Leon Silva, Vice President, Sikorsky Commercial Helicopters said: “Congratulations to Milestone and VIH for their leadership to find a critical secondary role for older S-92 aircraft. As an aerial firefighter, aircraft 920006 and others like it can protect lives and property from wildfires for the next 25 years. Sikorsky stands solidly behind the global S-92 fleet with sustainment and diagnostic knowledge learned from 2.6 million fleet flight hours and climbing.”
Ken Norie, President of VIH Helicopters, which operates the aircraft under lease from Milestone Aviation, said, “The S-92 has demonstrated outstanding capability and reliability across our operations. Its performance and mission adaptability enabled a seamless transition into the Fire Raptor configuration and supported a highly successful and demanding firefighting season. The ongoing support provided by Sikorsky has been critical to sustaining exceptional serviceability and ensuring the aircraft consistently delivers top-tier performance.”
The aircraft’s longevity, resilience, and high availability have been strongly supported by Sikorsky’s Total Assurance Program (TAP), ensuring consistent performance throughout its lifecycle, along with Sikorsky’s expert support during the aircraft’s later reconfiguration for aerial firefighting.
About Milestone
Milestone Aviation Group, an AerCap company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports approximately 50 customers in approximately 35 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining, firefighting, and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com
About AerCap
AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and is headquartered in Dublin with offices in Shannon, Memphis, Miami, Singapore, London, Dubai, Shanghai, Amsterdam and other locations around the world.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
About VIH Helicopters
VIH Helicopters Ltd. (“VIH”) is a subsidiary of the VIH Aviation Group of Companies based in British Columbia, Canada, and has been providing safe and efficient aviation services since 1955. VIH operations are primarily focused on servicing utility sectors including wildfire suppression, forestry and precision aerial construction with a versatile fleet of light, intermediate and heavy helicopter types.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements, estimates and forecasts with respect to future performance and events. These statements, estimates and forecasts are “forward-looking statements”. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negatives thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the availability of capital to us and to our customers and changes in interest rates; the ability of our lessees and potential lessees to make lease payments to us; our ability to successfully negotiate flight equipment (which includes aircraft, engines and helicopters) purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to repossess flight equipment under defaulted leases, and to control costs and expenses; changes in the overall demand for commercial aviation leasing and aviation asset management services; the continued impacts of the Ukraine Conflict, including the resulting sanctions by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries, on our business and results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; the effects of terrorist attacks on the aviation industry and on our operations; the economic condition of the global airline and cargo industry and economic and political conditions; the impact of hostilities in the Middle East, or any escalation thereof, on the aviation industry or our business; trade tensions, including U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures by the European Union, China and other countries, and the resulting geopolitical uncertainty; development of increased government regulation, including travel restrictions, sanctions, regulation of trade and the imposition of import and export controls, tariffs and other trade barriers; a downgrade in any of our credit ratings; competitive pressures within the industry; regulatory changes affecting commercial flight equipment operators, flight equipment maintenance, engine standards, accounting standards and taxes; and disruptions and security breaches affecting our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers.
As a result, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. These and other important factors and risks are discussed in AerCap’s annual report on Form 20-F and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future performance or events described in the forward-looking statements in this press release might not occur. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information regarding AerCap and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.aercap.com.