Associated Aircraft Group Earns FAA Diamond Award of Excellence

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Mar 03, 2015, 08:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced that Associated Aircraft Group (AAG®), a Sikorsky subsidiary company, has earned the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Diamond Award of Excellence for 2014. This coveted award is given to employers with 100 percent employee participation in an FAA-approved aviation maintenance training program. The announcement was made at the 2015 Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Associated Aircraft Group, a Sikorsky subsidiary, received the FAA's Diamond Award of Excellence for 2014. AAG has more than 25 years of experience maintaining and flying the S-76 helicopter.

The Diamond Award Certificate of Excellence is the FAA's highest training award. The FAA recognizes employers and aviation maintenance technicians who participate in a training program that offers both initial and recurrent aviation maintenance training and courses to improve safety and technical knowledge.

"The FAA's Diamond Award Program is recognition of our focus on training as a key element of our Safety Management Systems within our company," said Scott Ashton, President and General Manager, AAG. "World-class training is a priority throughout our business, and I am proud of our employees' collective commitment to continuous training. Our Aviation Maintenance Technicians are committed to continuously improving their expertise on Aviation Maintenance best practices within the industry. We are very proud and honored to be recognized by the FAA for these accomplishments."

"AAG's Aviation Maintenance Technician training program is a critical part of each technician's personal professional development," said John Landi, AAG's Director of Technical Services. "Our comprehensive training includes not only type-specific technical training, but also includes elements such as Environmental Health and Safety, Human Factors, Regulatory and Fatigue Management training."

AAG provides VIP helicopter transportation in the Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford and Boston markets, and has more than 25 years of experience operating and maintaining the Sikorsky S-76® helicopter, providing helicopter fractional ownership, and charter and management programs from its Teterboro, New York, Providence and Philadelphia locations. AAG also operates a Sikorsky-authorized Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center, and is approved for all S-76® models, including the S-76D™, as well as the S-92® helicopter.

AAG is Platinum rated by Aviation Research Group/U.S. International, and has achieved International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations Stage II, Wyvern Wingman status and Air Charter Safety Foundation registration. AAG has achieved nearly 50,000 safe flying hours in the S-76 helicopter.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

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SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.