New life for Hellenic Dauphins

Megara-based Aeroservices S.A. finished the refurbishment of the first AS365N3 Dauphin, serial HC-31 (construction number 6666), of the Liminiko Soma (Hellenic Coast Guard). As to date the complete scope of this upgrade programme is still undisclosed. 

On 25 February, Aeroservices was also granted a certification under a Transnational Agreement between Greece and the US to perform Follow On Support of the Diikissi Aeroporias Naftikou (Hellenic Navy Air Command) Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk fleet. The certification allows Aeroservices to repair, inspect, maintain and upgrade the Seahawks.

The Dauphin helicopters are known to have a very poor serviceability rate and most have hardly flown in the last five years. The Coast Guard has six SA365N3 in its inventory, registered as HC-31 to HC-36 which are all operated by the Helicopter squadron from Kotroni. These were delivered in 2004 (HC-35) and 2005 (the others).

Additionally, eleven S-70B/S-70B-6 Seahawks are operated by the Hellenic Navy Air Command, 2 Mira Elikopteron Naftikou (Navy Helicopter Squadron) from Kotroni.

Picture via @e_amyna