A fully operational, medically equipped Sikorsky S-76A helicopter, donated by Helijet in February from its fleet for medical airlift use in Ukraine, has arrived there safely.
Ukrainian engineers trained by Helijet in the aircraft’s service and maintenance procedures have received the packaged helicopter for reassembly and testing before pressing it into service.
After announcing the donation in February, the aircraft was partially disassembled for its long air and ground trek from Helijet’s headquarters in Richmond, B.C., to its arrival point in Ukraine. Until its donation, the Sikorsky aircraft, owned by Helijet, had been providing backup air medical service to the Ministry of Health for patient transport in B.C. It remains in airworthy and operational condition.
Danny Sitnam, President of Helijet International, flew to Ukraine to personally oversee the aircraft handover and get a first-hand sense of conditions on the ground in Ukraine.
“Once you’re here, what the war has done to the Ukrainian people and their villages and cities suddenly becomes real in a way that just can’t be fully conveyed in the reports we see on the news,” said Sitnam. “Having helped with various Ukrainian relief efforts in Canada since the Russian invasion began here three years ago, I knew simply gifting one of our now-surplus aircraft for use over here would make a positive impact. I’d like to encourage all companies in the Canadian aviation industry to join in and look at what they can spare from their fleets and match or beat our contribution. The people here will appreciate any help more than you can know.”
Helijet’s gift was made on condition that the helicopter is used solely for non-commercial, humanitarian, and medical evacuation missions to airlift individuals needing urgent medical care to hospitals in Ukraine.
The donation was made possible under an agreement between Helijet and a consortium of non-governmental organizations working in Canada and Ukraine: Maple Hope Foundation and the Ukrainian World Congress.
