Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Airbus Helicopters BK117, EC145, and H145 series

Matt Thurber

LCI has placed two Airbus H145D3 helicopters for operations in Papua New Guinea with Santos Limited and Pacific Helicopters. The Santos placement is LCI’s first-ever lease to an end-user, although both helicopters will be operated by Pacific Helicopters on behalf of Santos subsidiary Oil Search.&nbsp;
Both helicopters were delivered recently and Pacific Helicopters is using them to support liquid natural gas and other energy facilities in Papua New Guinea that provide exports to Japan. “The helicopters will also support Santos Foundation activities in Papua New Guinea and its work to build resilient communities,” according to LCI.
Pacific Helicopters employs more than 160 people who provide helicopter services in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the U.S. In Papua New Guinea, the company serves energy, mining, construction, and telecommunications companies.
LCI’s joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing is providing the two H145D3s to Santos and Pacific Helicopters.&nbsp;“We welcome this new partnership with Santos and Pacific Helicopters and are excited to support their operations in Papua New Guinea,” said LCI chief commercial officer Nigel Leishman. “This transaction demonstrates that end users of helicopters can step into leases, thus benefitting from our availability and efficiencies directly.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

LCI Leases Two H145D3 Helicopters for Papua New Guinea Energy Operations

Pacific Helicopters will operate the helicopters on behalf of Santos' Oil Search (PNG) subsidiary

LCI’s joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing is providing the two H145D3s to Santos and Pacific Helicopters.

LCI Places Two H145D3 Helos in Papua New Guinea 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Upgrade is available at MD Helicopters service centers

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Chad Trautvetter

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In this article

BK117/EC145/H145

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