“Engineer, build, fly.” That’s the slogan for Icarus Aero — and it couldn’t be more fitting.

Based in Gravenhurst, Ontario, the company is celebrating its 10th anniversary and recently tripled the size of its facility to 13,000 square feet (1,200 square meters).

Icarus has extensive experience working with a range of helicopter models from Leonardo, Sikorsky, Bell, Airbus, and more, as well as a multitude of fixed-wing platforms, including DC-3s, King Air 200, 300, 350, 360, DHC-8-100 / 200 / 300 / 400, DHC-6-100 / 200 / 300 / 400, Beech 1900, and PC12, among others.

The company provides a wide range of products and services supporting several missions, such as integrated surveillance and reconnaissance, firefighting, evacuation and medical transport, search-and-rescue, exploration and survey, law enforcement, military, and passenger transportation.

Icarus provides custom solutions for unique installation requirements, specializing in the design, manufacturing, testing, and certification of quality parts for rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft as a full turnkey service. The company is recognized and approved by Transport Canada for the design and certification approvals for all types of repairs, modifications and part replacements across several platforms.

Principal services range from full modification and repair designs to modification kits or installations, computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D solid modeling, structural analysis and certification, and installation and integration of kits onto the aircraft.

“We recently completed several medical helicopter cabin conversions,” said Ryan Hader, president of Icarus. “Our most recent includes iPad installations within heavy helicopters, infusion pumps mounted within helicopters for medevac assistance, and a complete medical operator cabinet/console for assisting medics during rescue flights. Additionally, we have recently designed and completed several infant isolette installations allowing for neonatal care, which was not previously supported in Ontario.”

To continue such notable projects, the facility expansion allows Icarus to bring all its services under one roof. As well, it facilitates additional computer numerical control (CNC) machines to enable more cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing.
“This year, we will gain our AMO [approved maintenance organization] approval under CAR [Canadian Aviation Regulation] 573 to augment our design and manufacturing approvals,” Hader said. “This means we will then be able to undertake modifications to aircraft in our own hangar.”

It’s a significant advantage for Icarus, which is one of only 25 small- to medium-sized privately-owned companies in Canada authorized by Transport Canada as a design authority. And growth won’t be stopping with the AMO approval.

“Future growth sees us becoming a systems integrator for special mission equipment, being able to offer full design, manufacturing, modification and certification services all under one roof,” Hader said.

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It all started in 1980 with one helicopter and one instructor and has since grown into an internationally renowned helicopter school.

Hillsboro Heli Academy’s success comes from a simple recipe — an extreme focus on teaching the fundamentals.

“That’s what I drive home to our instructors, that there’s a foundation that needs to be built,” said Jared Friend, Hillsboro’s director of helicopter operations and chief instructor. “Our reputation with employers and the success of our graduates is built around getting the foundation right and not getting distracted, while recognizing that every student is a little bit different. Every student has a different motivation.”

Hillsboro is considered one of the larger helicopter flight schools in the U.S. But even with that scale, Friend points to the culture of his operation as a key enabler of his students’ performance and success in their careers.

“We foster a family environment and encourage our groups of new students to become a close-knit team,” he said. “It starts from day one at their first orientation. We talk to them about how the people sitting next to them, they’re probably going to know each other for the rest of their careers.”

In addition to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval as a Part 141 and Part 61 flight school, Hillsboro is nationally recognized by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges as one of only two non-degree helicopter schools accredited in the U.S. 

Over more than four decades, the school has graduated thousands of pilots from over 75 countries, welcoming international students under the F-1 visa program.

The well-established flight training facility is based at Troutdale Airport on the shore of the Columbia River, just east of Portland — Oregon’s international airport.

“We’re in a helicopter pilot’s playground,” Friend said.

Within an hour’s flight time, Hillsboro’s students can be practicing operations in the Cascade Range, the Columbia River Gorge, the state’s high desert to the east, or to the west on Oregon’s spectacular Pacific Coast.

From day one, Hillsboro has operated Robinson helicopters.

“Our history is also Robinson’s history. The first production R22 was certified in 1979. We got ours in 1980 and we’ve been flying them ever since,” Friend said. “We have a lot of history with the Robinsons, a lot of lessons learned.”

Hillsboro has a fleet of R22s and R44s, is a certified Robinson Service Center, and operates an FAA Part 145 repair station at its Troutdale base.

When a student graduates as a 200-hour certified flight instructor with an instrument rating, they have the depth of experience that comes from flying in the diverse terrain and weather in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

“A lot of our pilots end up in the Gulf, or flying utility work in the mountains, and pilots who learn to fly with us are sought after by employers for the variety of experience they have gained at Hillsboro,” Friend said. “Sure, it’s great to fly on a sunny, blue sky day, but to be a truly well-rounded helicopter pilot, you need to be comfortable flying in all types of weather. One of the greatest skills our graduates gain is working through the decision-making process for a flight — interpreting weather reports, knowing their own limitations, and making good decisions. That’s what professional pilot training is all about.”

Developing that level of judgement is a key element of Hillsboro’s cohesive strategy, which includes training continuity for instructors and students, to ensure a successful outcome for the students.

“We try to have students fly with their instructor every single day the instructor is available,” he said. “We feel it’s a strong building block to be flying every day, so that a student can build on the previous day’s lessons. If a student has gaps in their flight training, they’ll have to fill those gaps somehow, and that ends up costing more money.”

For graduates, the next career step is invariably an instructor position to build time. Some are hired at Hillsboro, and with their hours in the ubiquitous Robinsons, others are well-prepared to work at just about any school.

But for some, opportunities come from Hillsboro’s relationships with companies, including German helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operator ADAC Luftrettung, Bristow Norway, and Babcock Spain.

“Right now, there’s a huge helicopter pilot shortage,” Friend said. “We work to connect our graduates with operators around the world, and help them get to know people in the industry. We’ve been doing this for over four decades — and we’re good at it.”

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As a helicopter owner or operator, have you found yourself in any of these situations?

1. You have your eye on a helicopter that just hit the market. The asking price seems high, but you would like to make a reasonable offer.

2. Your lender is asking for an updated valuation of your aircraft, so you can move forward on another opportunity. The lender requests a certified appraisal for the new addition to your fleet.

3. You are thinking about selling a helicopter and want to get an accurate indication of its value, so you can price it appropriately.

4. You are a lessor, and a valued client has asked you to supply them with another aircraft. An opinion of residual value at end of the lease term will help you decide if this is a worthwhile investment.

5. You are sensitive to today’s rising insurance rates and want to be certain that you are not over-insuring or under-insuring your assets.

6. You are involved in a partnership, it’s time to divest, and you want a fair opinion of value on the aircraft for you and your partners.

“These are all great reasons to hire a professional helicopter appraiser with a proven track record to perform a formal valuation,” said Scott Hope, an accredited senior appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), and president of Heli Connections Aviation Inc. “The reality is, price and value are two different things. Price can exceed value, and value can exceed price. In a properly executed appraisal, the relevant facts are analyzed to determine value. In the above situations, arriving at a value the helicopter would most likely sell for, within a reasonable amount of time, is the name of the game.”

What to look for in a helicopter appraiser

Heli Connections recommends the following criteria:

1. Use an appraiser with credentials from a recognized, respected, and governed organization.

An example is the ASA, a world-renowned organization. The ASA offers an aircraft-specific appraisal education program that teaches the proper fundamentals of equipment appraisals, with an aviation focus. All ASA members must adhere to a strict code of ethics.

2. It is critical to utilize a USPAP-compliant appraiser.

USPAP is an acronym for Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, the official guidance material published by the Appraisal Foundation. This document is updated every two years, and defines a set of recommended procedures and ethical standards for appraisers.

3. Choose an appraiser with an extensive technical background in helicopters specifically.

This will produce more accurate results. Helicopters are complex aircraft with many parts and components. An appraiser with a maintenance background or other technical expertise will have a good understanding of these unique requirements, and will be able to extract and compare relevant data. Additionally, for onsite appraisals, an individual who is familiar with helicopters will be able to analyze and report on the condition of the aircraft.

4. Is the appraiser involved in actual resale market transactions?

If the appraiser is a broker, or otherwise involved in helicopter sales transactions, they gain valuable insight into current market conditions and accumulate real-world sales data, which can be fed directly into their appraisal practice.

One of the most important components of a sales comparison approach appraisal is to gather recent sales data on the type of helicopter being evaluated. Brokers have firsthand access to this valuable information, and they also forge relationships with other brokers, which facilitates the flow of accurate sales data.

5. Engage someone who has dedicated their appraisal practice entirely to helicopters.

Many generalists perform helicopter appraisals as part of their business, but how many helicopters do they appraise per year, and how much effort do they make to develop helicopter appraisal techniques? Utilizing a firm that specializes in helicopters will net better results, as they have experience and a great deal of information on hand. A dedicated helicopter appraiser will perform 200 appraisals per year on average, and will have the tools available to perform them competently and efficiently.

What to expect from a competent helicopter appraiser

As an accredited senior appraiser with ASA and a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, Hope shares the following expectations:

1. You can expect them to keep all details of the assignment strictly confidential, and maintain a fiduciary relationship with the client.

2. The precise reason for the appraisal and any special requirements will be identified at the beginning of the assignment and incorporated into the work scope.

3. Commentary on the subject helicopter will be provided, and current market conditions will be analyzed.

4. The three approaches to value (income approach, cost approach, and sales comparison approach) will be discussed, and the most relevant methods will be identified and utilized.

5. An explanation of the appraisal methodology will be included. For the sales comparison approach, multiple comparable aircraft will be displayed and compared to the subject, with all adjustments to value clearly shown.

6. If onsite verification of the asset was performed, a review of the technical records will take place, and a detailed physical assessment report will be attached.

7. The appraisal report will include an opinion of value, as specified by the client, and will contain a certification statement.

8. Appendices will include a detailed prorate of the helicopter components and engines, plus an equipment list indicating the value of extra modifications and avionics.

9. All of this, of course, must be USPAP-compliant.

Based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Heli Connections has established itself as one of North America’s best and most trusted helicopter appraisal firms.

“Our company has unparalleled technical and sales expertise,” Hope said. “We understand helicopters, and we understand the market. We’ll work with you and provide the latest information, to facilitate success in acquisition or sale of rotary-wing platforms.”

The post Heli Connections: How to select a helicopter appraiser appeared first on Vertical Mag.

“A lot of people don’t know how to tell their own story, and a lot of people also don’t like to brag about themselves or champion their own message, but we get to do that for them,” said Scott Emerine, co-owner and co-founder of Branding Iron Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations.

Emerine and his partner, Marne Brobeck, are the creative and strategic minds behind some of the passionate, compelling, and emotional stories told in the aviation industry. Since the formation of Branding Iron, they have been diving deep into the aviation sector, immersing themselves into their customers’ world, and sharing the stories that impact the industry.

“Choosing the right words and creating compelling visuals is extremely important. Rewarding the viewer with a ‘wow factor’ is our way of shining a positive light on our clients as we help build and brand their company image,” Brobeck said.

For aviation clients, the firm skillfully takes the technical products or services their customers offer and transforms them into thought-provoking and true stories of aviation. 

“We have some clients who sell radios, for example, and if you look at an ad that shows just a radio, it doesn’t tell much of a story,” Emerine explained. “But if you look at somebody whose life is being saved because that radio was able to communicate where that person was, that’s the point of difference for us.”

“We work to draw on emotions by showing the person who benefited from this technology, whose life was saved by it,” Brobeck added. “Infusing emotions into ads eliminates our customers’ products from being viewed as a simple commodity.”

Branding Iron is a full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm with deep roots in the aviation sector. In fact, Emerine and Brobeck have a combined 40-plus years of experience in aviation, bringing their customers a uniquely valuable service. They understand the business well and know how to position their clients for success.

“Our clients don’t have to educate us on what’s going on in the aviation world. We have many years of experience in this field, and that speaks volumes,” Emerine said.

From night vision goggles to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to flight data monitoring, avionics, fire suppression, and more, Branding Iron works with a wide spectrum of rotorcraft customers, big and small.

“We could walk into one of our client’s hangars, and more than likely, the aircraft sitting there will have at least three or four of our other customers’ products in it,” Emerine said. “I’ve walked into a hangar and seen our customers’ windows, radios, night vision goggle equipment, and even medical interiors. There is a lot of cross-pollination in the industry, which has enabled us to better serve all of our customers.”

When it comes to marketing and public relations, Branding Iron offers a full suite of services, including branding and imaging, media placement, tradeshow and event support, website design, crisis communications, search engine optimization, and more — all delivered from the firm’s Tennessee headquarters.

But a unique draw for Branding Iron is the company’s ability to scale up or down its service offering to deliver a truly personalized marketing strategy for its customers. Branding Iron has adapted its scope of services to match the changes that take place in the industry.

“Most of our customers don’t see us as an outside vendor. They actually see us as an extension of their team,” Emerine said. “We listen to what our customers need, and our team works with their team to accomplish their goals based on their specific objectives.”

Many of their aviation customers have remained with Branding Iron for five or more years, putting their trust in the firm to skillfully build their brand identity.

“One of the things that I’m most proud of is the length of time that we keep our clients,” Brobeck said.

The longest relationship for Branding Iron and an aviation client spans 14 years. 

“There have been instances where we helped a customer grow their market share and grow their brand awareness to the point where their largest competitor was an industry leader and bought them out,” Emerine said. “We’ve experienced that multiple times where we’ve helped our customers get to that next level.”

Emerine and Brobeck attribute Branding Iron’s success and longevity to hard work, faith and focusing on their customers. 

“Our loyal customers have allowed us to achieve what we set out to do 16 years ago — offer unbeatable, superior customer support, with creative solutions to meet our clients’ brand marketing needs,” Brobeck said. “Many people like to attribute a company’s growth and success to a singular event that defines the company. For Branding Iron, a consistent focus on superior customer service, and putting the clients’ needs first is what has defined us for almost 16 years.”

“We want to thank all of our customers who have put their trust in us and given us their business for the last 16 years,” Emerine added. “Without them, we would not be who we are today. We started as a small firm with no clients and a dream to become one of the most recognizable aviation marketing firms in the world.”

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“It’s hard to overstate how monumental this is for aviation.”

That’s the way Loft Dynamics’ main investor and board member Sky Dayton describes the company’s revolutionary virtual reality (VR) full-motion helicopter flight simulator.

It is the world’s first and only VR full-motion simulator qualified by a national aviation regulator, achieving flight simulation training device (FSTD) Level 3 authorization from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2022.

Building on this epic achievement, Loft Dynamics has just rebranded and raised $20 million in financing to expand globally.

Dayton explained that “as a jet pilot, I have spent countless hours in traditional flight simulators and again and again, experienced their many limitations. When I tried Loft Dynamics, I was truly blown away. The realism is astounding. When I ‘landed’ on a runway and the skids touched down, I could feel the texture of the asphalt. If you move, the simulation moves. I practiced emergency procedures that would be extremely dangerous in an actual helicopter. Days later, I still had the muscle memory of the movements and vibrations of the experience. With this simulator, Loft Dynamics has begun to truly revolutionize pilot training in terms of quality, safety, cost and more — all at a time when the global pilot shortage has already reached a crisis point.”

This revolution of pilot training has already begun, with major growth in the U.S. and other international markets well underway, supported by the new $20-million investment from Craft Ventures, Sky Dayton and UP.Partners.

Loft Dynamics CEO and founder Fabi Riesen is extremely pleased about these investments, which have supported the rebranding of the company from VRM Switzerland to Loft Dynamics.

“Our rebranding is critical to reflect the current global nature of our steady growth,” he said. “We chose the word ‘loft’ carefully as it reflects an upward movement in the air, but it also refers to the fact that our full-motion VR simulator is so small that it can fit in the loft of a hangar or other small spaces, such as a trailer. Our growing team is proud of the new name and to be expanding the training of pilots with our highly efficient, exceptionally realistic and dramatically less expensive simulator.”

Indeed, the technology combines a high-resolution VR system, a dynamic six degrees of freedom motion platform and a full-scale replica cockpit in a package 10 times smaller and roughly 20 times less expensive than traditional full-motion simulators. What’s more, it cuts air time training by up to 60 percent.

Loft Dynamics’ simulators combine panoramic views inside and outside the aircraft — from exact perspectives to precise colors, shading, vibrations, better visual cues, and dramatically more realistic motion and sound characteristics of the actual aircraft. The pilot experiences the correct loads and force feedback from flight controls and is fully immersed.

The Loft Dynamics simulator allows pilots to regularly train the full range of normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures, in addition to all manner of weather conditions.

Traditional full-motion flight simulators are only available in limited training centers built specifically to house their huge size. With Loft’s simulators, “you don’t have to travel to train anymore, away from work and family and be gone for weeks or months,” Dayton said. “These new simulators will be integrated into all bases of operation, and pilots will be able to train all the time — not just for required regulatory checks, but to regularly hone and add to their skills.”

Patrick Ky, executive director and head of EASA, said, “EASA looks forward to seeing the flight safety benefits of this technology as soon as possible, in line with the objective of EASA’s Rotorcraft Safety Roadmap of increasing safety by 50 percent by the end of 2028 compared with 2017 figures.”

Loft Dynamics simulators are already in many European countries, Africa and the Middle East.

“In the U.S. market, we already have simulators running in Colorado, and additional units have already been shipped,” Riesen said. “We are also working with the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] toward qualification. We are extremely excited about the growth we will achieve this year in the U.S. and other markets.”

A Loft Dynamics simulator for the Airbus H145 — widely used in emergency medical services — is now in progress, in partnership with Airbus Helicopters. Meanwhile, updating the glass cockpit (Garmin G500 TXi) and dual hydraulics are the next steps in development for the H125 model. Riesen explained that it’s been a genuine co-development with Airbus Helicopters from the start, with Airbus providing the H145 simulation package and full expertise.

The company is also adding to its portfolio of fixed-wing simulators with an eye on the eVTOL market.

“The pilot shortage is only getting worse, even without the impending arrival of the eVTOL industry,” Dayton said. “Globally, we need to make pilot training much more effective, faster, cheaper and safer with less environmental impact, and that is what Loft Dynamics offers.”

“After many years in development, we are ready to expand Loft Dynamics to become a global company,” Riesen added. “The new funding comes at exactly the right moment to meet demand and accelerate the range of aircraft types we support.”

The post Loft Dynamics: A True Revolution In Pilot Training appeared first on Vertical Mag.

The future looks bright for Leonardo as it continues to grow its product offerings with the versatile AW09. The addition of the AW09 strengthens Leonardo’s position in the single-engine market, offering a new, extremely competitive and attractive platform, complementing the AW119 and satisfying an even more diversified market demand. The AW09 perfectly melds into Leonardo’s product portfolio.

The AW09 continues to be developed by Kopter in Switzerland, with the contribution of joint Leonardo-Kopter teams. The fourth AW09 prototype — PS4 — began flight testing in Mollis, Switzerland, and will be complemented later this year with a fifth prototype, PS5. These two aircraft are the primary workhorses for Leonardo’s ongoing certification campaign.

The AW09 has benefited from considerable improvements since it joined the Leonardo family. Key milestones reached include the integration of a new Arriel 2K engine — the newest version of the renowned brand, flying the new and final main rotor blades, and agreeing to the type certification basis with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Important progress has also been achieved regarding the “connected helicopter” concept in order to collect and analyze all data generated by the helicopter. On the services side, advanced support and maintenance solutions are being put in place, leveraging new technologies and low-cost operations.

The AW09 possesses a double-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC), bird strike resistance, a full crashworthy fuel system, and a modern instrument flight rules (IFR) ready avionics suite, featuring technology that will significantly reduce pilot workload and increase situational awareness, while supporting aircraft connectivity. The aircraft’s key feature is its outstanding cabin, which offers the size and mission capability of a light twin turbine helicopter — at the cost of a single-engine aircraft. The cabin layout provides the aircraft an unequaled mission versatility, allowing it to perform various missions, ranging from passenger transport, utility, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement. The interchangeable floor further enhances cabin layout flexibility.

With the AW09, Leonardo introduces all-new design and capabilities to sustain a clear and long-term competitive position in the long light single segment, but also taps into those operators in the light twin market who do not want the cost of twin-engine helicopters based on their unique and specific operational needs.

Customers from various market segments have been expressing strong interest in the AW09, as well as their trust in Leonardo/Kopter to deliver a stellar product. The AW09 is positioned to greatly benefit from the Leonardo commercial and support network, expected to grow even further with the AW09, as its potential customer base will be geographically widespread. Leonardo is currently putting in place distributorship and partnership agreements in key geographies, including North and Central America.

Kopter is set to become a Center of Competence for new light helicopters and an incubator of new technologies for vertical flight, allowing it to contribute to the development of new hybrid and electrical propulsion systems. The AW09 is a strong contender for evolution in the framework of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan, which aims to be in the leading position on the civil rotorcraft market and modern air mobility. 

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There’s a new sheriff in town and things in the world of MD Helicopters are changing for the better.

In August 2022, newly formed MD Helicopters LLC purchased the assets of MD Helicopters Inc., taking over management and production of the iconic helicopter line. Aerospace industry veteran Brad Pedersen stepped in as president and CEO, bringing more than 35 years of business growth experience to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

A former test pilot and program manager at MD Helicopters when it was under the ownership of McDonnell Douglas, Pedersen also served as a program manager at Sikorsky for multiple helicopter programs. From there, he stepped into the C-suite at several smaller aerospace companies as president and CEO where he led multiple successful turnarounds. He has brought this experience back to his roots.

“I enjoy working for big corporations, but what I love even more are the smaller companies where you can make decisions and take action quickly,” Pedersen said. “In a smaller company, you get to know who you’re working with, and you get to know your suppliers and customers on a first-name basis. You build relationships personally. I’d kept an eye on MD all these years, often thinking what I would do if I was able to take action. When I was approached for this position, it was a dream. This is my dream job where I can put all my knowledge and skills to work to strengthen a company I truly love — the company where I began my career.”

Pedersen hit the ground running in August. His priority was keeping MD customers flying through increased customer support. He wants MD to achieve a 95 percent (or more) spares fill rate within 24 hours of order. Recognizing the company’s past shortcomings, he hired Ryan Weeks as vice president of aftermarket. Weeks’ strong background in helicopter customer support built at Honeywell and Bell was a perfect fit to achieve this goal.

The company determined 1,700 MD aircraft are in the field today. After researching historical demand, a little over 700 unique part numbers were identified as required spares for those aircraft. The company is now working toward having these parts on hand.

Together, the two and their team, including vice president of global supply chain Mario Coracides and vice president of sales and marketing Jason Lindauer, have begun rebuilding relationships with suppliers and vendors. These leaders are visiting with and calling suppliers, while Coracides works to sign longer term agreements — a key step to help ensure a steady supply of parts.

“We recognize a number of customers and suppliers were not treated as they should have been, and we are taking that seriously,” Pedersen said. “I tell people we don’t deserve anything. We need to earn our reputation and the only way we’re going to do that is by being responsive, being predictable, and being understanding. We must listen to both our customers and suppliers and respond with actions that matter.”

The MD executive team visited more than two dozen suppliers and customers in the first three months and the feedback has been positive. Many suppliers noted this was the first time anyone from MD had ever visited. Customers have also taken notice.

“We really are making strides to affect real change by personally being more involved than in the past,” Pedersen said. “While we don’t expect the needle to move until maybe the third quarter because the effects of these changes take time, the feedback we’ve received already is very positive.”

Another of Pedersen’s high priority goals is reviewing MD Helicopters’ service centers to determine quality of support while also identifying where new service centers are needed to provide the best regional support to customers around the world. He sees opportunities to not only strengthen the system, but also grow it to meet customer demand.

Recognizing the need to stay cost competitive, Pedersen’s team is closely examining how to reduce costs. One step is implementing lean manufacturing principals on the production line. These steps will help reduce costs and free the company to develop enhancements for current aircraft and, eventually, new models, Pedersen said.

Concurrently, MD Helicopters is moving forward with product upgrades that deliver more utility to customers. In the past, MD had not embraced the parts manufacturer approval (PMA) market in a way that could benefit customers, Pedersen said. With today’s robust PMA market, he sees ample opportunity to partner with companies to provide the modernization enhancements customers need. The company is researching adding PMA parts as options or standard equipment on new aircraft, as well as exploring upgrade options.

“If you want a different change, you have to change to be different,” Peterson said. “This leadership team with deep expertise in aerospace is led by a diverse board of directors that balances aerospace expertise with financial and turnaround experience. We have the tools and we’re going to work.” 

The post MD Helicopters: Change For The Better appeared first on Vertical Mag.

The global commercial helicopter market is on a path to recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the industry and its supply chain. Airbus Helicopters is evolving with the market, meeting the needs of its customers so they can continue to perform essential missions.

The company has risen to the challenge, implementing a global transformation plan to improve how it designs, produces, and maintains the current fleet of Airbus helicopters all while preparing for the future.

From digitalization, to enhanced safety and upgraded performance, Airbus’s approach encompasses a range of missions and conditions that its partners and operators face every day. Airbus aims to help its customers make the world a safer place, unite people who are passionate about helicopters, and constantly innovate to create quieter and cleaner rotorcraft.

At this year’s HAI Heli-Expo, showgoers can see first-hand how Airbus is pioneering sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. Its H160 will be on display, alongside the versatile H125, and the tailored ACH130 Aston Martin edition, not to mention a dedicated innovation experience and Airbus’s efficient support and services solutions.

Airbus’s next-generation helicopter, the H160, has gained ground as a key addition to a variety of customers’ fleets, entering into service in Japan, Brazil and across Europe. With orders in mission segments ranging from search-and-rescue, to law enforcement, to public services, and private and business aviation, the aircraft is also set to become a crucial partner in the energy sector, supporting operators and customers, such as PHI and Shell.

Incorporating as many as 68 patents, the H160’s value-add across the entire range of mission segments notably resides in its innovative, safety-enhancing design. Featuring the brightest cabin of its class, and equipped with a vortex pre-alerting feature, as well as cutting-edge automation modes, the H160 enables crew members to focus on crucial tasks and drastically reduces pilot workload.

Customer centricity is paramount to meeting each operator’s distinctive needs and requirements, especially for support and services. The addition of ZF Luftfahrttechnik to Airbus Helicopters’ portfolio at the end of 2022 is a prime example of how the company is broadening its range of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and securing additional competences in dynamic systems — notably for the H135 and H145 helicopters.

Airbus strives to integrate customers’ feedback every step along the way, and reshaping its support solutions is testimony to this commitment. After launching an updated HCare offer at Heli-Expo 2022, customers now have access to three flexible solutions to support them from the day their new helicopter enters service until the end of its life. Thanks to a suite of digital tools and step-by-step assistance, Airbus Helicopters brings in new solutions that match operators’ needs, easing rotorcraft maintenance while optimizing its health and usage.

Innovation remains a key focus at Airbus Helicopters. In December 2022, Airbus unveiled its DisruptiveLab, a new demonstrator that will enable the company to further test technologies that reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 50 percent. With the goal to evaluate a new aerodynamic architecture intended to reduce fuel consumption, as well as pursue the implementation of hybridization, the DisruptiveLab kicked off its flight test campaign in January 2023.

Reducing the carbon footprint of its aircraft is equally served by its efforts to make advanced air mobility a reality. After selecting partners for the CityAirbus NextGen’s structural components, the eVTOL aircraft is now getting closer to its testing phase. To prepare for entry into service, Airbus has partnered with a series of major industrial and institutional players, including Chile-based operator Ecocopter, Italian flag carrier ITA Airways, and Japanese operator Hiratagakuen, to create the necessary ecosystems to launch this new mobility service across continents.

Airbus’s unwavering priority is to help countries protect their citizens and make their critical missions possible. Suited for intensive care transport and designed to comply with the requirements set by national medical regulatory agencies, the five-bladed H145 has become a game-changer for medical services providers.

When it comes to saving lives, helicopters provide an unparalleled advantage to intervene within the “golden hour.” The H145 is just the right fit, with its spacious cabin, increased payload, and eased maintenance process, overall improving the helicopter’s performance and availability.

Meanwhile, the H125 is also making a difference for law enforcement customers. Less than a year after the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department ordered two H125s, both aircraft have been delivered and placed in service — further evidence of how the H125 has become an important lever to help make the world a safer place.

With its versatility and maneuverability, the helicopter is well-adapted to a variety of public service operations, including surveillance, search-and-rescue, and command and control. The rotorcraft benefits from bespoke equipment to meet the most demanding police mission requirements. Night vision goggle-compatible instruments, searchlights, hoist, high-resolution camera (optical sensor) with mapping system, and wire strike protection are just a few of the available additions to the H125’s law enforcement configuration.

Airbus has also made it a mission to unite people who are passionate about helicopters, and support those who fly them. The elegant ACH130 Aston Martin edition is proof of how Airbus Corporate Helicopters is rising to the challenge of providing private and business aviation customers with a tailored flight experience. Designed in partnership with luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin, the ACH130 provides increased comfort and refined aesthetics, while integrating the company’s latest innovations to improve safety of flight and support customers in taking a step toward reduced carbon emissions, with 10 percent more power and lower fuel consumption.

The post Airbus: A Focus On Innovation appeared first on Vertical Mag.

After a busy period of growth and transition, StandardAero is running at peak efficiency, delivering the unparalleled service that customers have come to expect.

As the largest independent maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider in the world, StandardAero delivers a full suite of rotary-wing services through its global helicopter division. StandardAero prides itself on customer-centric service that is the hallmark of everything its 7,000 employees do in more than 50 major facilities worldwide.

In the summer of 2021, the company acquired Signature Aviation’s engine repair and overhaul (ERO) business, including four entities: Dallas Airmotive, H+S Aviation, International Governor Services, and International Turbine Service. The transaction added 1,100 employees in 14 locations to the StandardAero family.

“The integration is going well,” reported Brian Hughes, vice president of sales and marketing for helicopter programs. “We’ve established centers of excellence [COEs] in key locations, where higher volumes allow us to achieve better efficiencies.”

In 2022, StandardAero transitioned its Rolls-Royce M250 engine business from Dallas Airmotive to Winnipeg, with expanded capability in Concord, North Carolina, and Richmond, British Columbia. This freed necessary resources and floor space for other growing business lines in Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as at the company’s plant in Portsmouth, U.K. Hughes said no jobs were lost during the transition — in fact, the move added 20 new jobs to the company’s existing COEs.

Along similar lines, StandardAero also moved its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T engine line from H&S Aviation into the Winnipeg shop. Finally, the Rolls-Royce RR300 engine line was shifted from Dallas into Winnipeg, with expanded capability for that engine in Concord and Richmond. 

“At one point, there were eight shops doing the M250,” Hughes said. “We consolidated that into five shops. We still have a shop in Europe, one in Asia, and three in North America: Winnipeg, Richmond and Concord.”

In keeping with its consolidation plan, StandardAero merged two businesses into one in 2021, when its Singapore M250 line integrated with Vector Aerospace’s turboprop business. This development happened after StandardAero’s acquisition of Vector in late 2017. While the process was delayed by the pandemic, the newly consolidated facility is currently at full capacity.

Meanwhile, its COEs for accessory repair and overhaul in Hialeah and Fort Myers, Florida, are also running at peak efficiency two years after all related work was centralized there.  

“Those locations have had a year of stability and growth,” Hughes said. “When we moved everything there two years ago from Winnipeg, we felt the pain. COVID affected the process since we couldn’t send techs and engineers down to do as much training as we’d hoped. It slowed our progress, but I’m happy to say that’s behind us now. Accessories customers can now expect the full StandardAero experience, focusing on service, turn time and quality.”

He said StandardAero’s COE structure has allowed the company to manage through the supply chain issues that are still affecting the industry.

“We have volume and purchasing power,” he said. “We get the lion’s share — we have large fleets of safety stock and large numbers of rental assets to keep people flying.”

Hughes said StandardAero is in tune with its customers and realizes they are dealing with hyper-inflated costs of doing business. Meanwhile, their own rates and revenues are not rising at the same pace.

“Customers are leaning on us to deliver cost-effective solutions,” he said. “So, in an effort to stem inflation, we try to source used and overhauled material, rather than brand-new equipment. There are instances when it does make more sense to utilize a new part so that the engine can run more hours. We understand costs have increased substantially, and we are concentrating on trying to manage them for our customers. We’ve always focused not on the cost of each overhaul, but on the cost-per-hour over time.”

Visitors to the StandardAero booth (B4420) at Heli-Expo 2023 in Atlanta will find a full contingent of staff on hand to showcase all the company’s capabilities — not just gas turbine engine repairs, but also airframe structures, modifications, supplemental type certificates, and dynamic component overhaul.

Close relationships with original equipment manufacturers — including manufacturer approvals from Airbus, GE, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Safran, and Triumph — continue to be a critical component of StandardAero’s success.

The company’s office in Winnipeg also enjoys a close collaboration with non-profit Manitoba Aerospace, which promotes aerospace and defense in the province. In 2022, the two organizations partnered to develop a gas turbine engine repair and overhaul training program that was designed to encourage more women to choose aviation MRO careers.

Thanks to Manitoba government funding, the 18-week program — which is open to both men and women — recently graduated 10 women technicians who are now employed full time at StandardAero.

The successful program is testament to the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, a philosophy Hughes said is baked into StandardAero’s global operations.

“We try hard to create a workplace where everyone is welcome,” he said. “Our view is that the company benefits from a variety of diverse perspectives that combine into one strong team. This commitment is essential to our success, both now and in the future.”

The post StandardAero: Delivering Unparalleled Service appeared first on Vertical Mag.

In 1995, when Aerolite began establishing itself as one of the world’s leading aviation medical interior providers, the company’s business philosophies aligned perfectly with its passions.

The goal then, and ever since, has been to help emergency medical service (EMS) operators save lives by providing versatile, lightweight and customized medical interiors for any platform.

“That’s our credo and our vision,” said Roland Hengartner, CEO of Aerolite. “Our goal is to fulfill missions for the operator. They get full support from our product and service, so they can fulfill their missions. That’s our passion.”

Aerolite is headquartered in Ennetbürgen, Switzerland, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Lucerne, with a global clientele that includes major helicopter and fixed-wing EMS operators in more than 30 countries.

Its 100 employees are located in Ennetbürgen and at a secondary facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina, that serves the U.S. market.

Together, they complete about 35 helicopter and fixed-wing medical interiors every year for any major aviation platform, including original equipment manufacturers like Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, Bell, Pilatus, Bombardier and Embraer.

On any given day, approximately 650 Aerolite interiors are in operation worldwide, and each one is carefully tailored to the needs of each individual operator.

“One of the big advantages is that we stay in very close contact with the customer,” Hengartner said. “We always have an open ear and an open mind to any customer recommendations or requirements. The product is developed and produced for their needs.”

Along with this customized approach, Aerolite distinguishes itself by providing ultralight equipment made from specialized carbon fiber and aluminum.

All this material is manufactured in-house, to the precise needs of each client. Aerolite works closely with operators during the design phase, then creates a full-sized mock-up to ensure the medical interior meets or exceeds their expectations.

Then, the final product is manufactured in-house and installed by Aerolite staff.

“The communication is on a high level, and we have high priority on the concept phase with the customer,” Hengartner said. “And our structure weight is very low, but the payload is as much as possible — so that’s the big advantage. If you have a light structure, you can carry more patients and have more weight for the medical devices.”

A key example is the customizable Aerolite roll-in stretcher system for Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW169 medical helicopters.

These ultralight systems feature adjustable legs attached to the platform stretcher that automatically fold down when extracting a patient from the aircraft.

They also fold up automatically when a patient is placed inside the helicopter, a process that requires only a few seconds in the time-pressured environment of an EMS call.

Once inside the helicopter cabin, the stretcher can be outfitted with a lightweight aluminum pack rack (also known as a stretcher bridge) that is certified for use during takeoff and landing.

The pack rack serves as a platform for other medical devices like defibrillators and oxygen systems during flight. This compact, removable system enables EMS providers to maximize space in the helicopter cabin and helps them maneuver life-saving medical equipment more easily before arriving at the hospital.

After landing on a helipad, the pack rack can be partially dismantled by removing its sidewall. This allows paramedics to swiftly move the patient out from under the pack rack, and easily transfer them from the roll-in stretcher to a hospital gurney.

“We always try to engineer our product as light as possible with high functionality, and we can produce everything in-house,” Hengartner said.

While roll-in systems are an Aerolite specialty, the company also designs, tests and manufactures full medical interiors, including comprehensive patient transfer units, portable intensive care units, and stretcher systems for ground-based military medical transport.

Aerolite even has the ability to manufacture aircraft wings and fuselage for hybrid-electric aircraft.

“Aerolite is a company that always drives development,” Hengartner said. “We would like to be at market with new products in the near future.”

As the company continues to innovate and grow, Aerolite’s next big milestone is the planned construction of a new 48,400-square-foot (4,500-square-meter) manufacturing facility near Lucerne. This new plant is expected to come online within the next five years, and will allow the company to increase its production capacity in line with demand for its products and services.

Aerolite is also looking to significantly expand its presence in the U.S., primarily through its facility in Fort Mill, a suburb of Charlotte, South Carolina.

“We are acting close to the U.S. market, and our focus for the future is to be ready for operators in the United States,” Hengartner said. “This is a signal that we are close to customers in the U.S.”

He added that this proximity enables Aerolite to respond quickly to customer needs.

“Our mission is always to support the customer in what they’re looking for,” he said. “And that’s driven by their mission to save lives.”

The post Aerolite: Lightening the load for EMS helicopters appeared first on Vertical Mag.

Very few brands are as prevalent and respected in aviation as Spidertracks, and its contributions to the safety and productivity of aircraft owners and operators since its inception 15 years ago is nothing short of remarkable.

It was not much more than a decade ago when aircraft tracking was feasible only for the top-tier of the industry. Spidertracks came to market with fresh thinking and a delightfully simple product that broke down these barriers and revolutionized the sector.

Today, aircraft tracking has industry-wide adoption, and the benefits of increased safety and operational efficiencies have seen Spidertracks become the de facto standard choice. As the industry now embarks upon a digital transformation era, Spidertracks is again leading the charge.

“Our vision is to build a connected and automated software platform that manages the end-to-end workflows in a typical general aviation business. A one-stop shop, if you like, for operations and safety,” said Dave Blackwell, CEO of Spidertracks.

Spidertracks sees a real opportunity to close what’s been a traditional gap between safety benefits and return on investment by leveraging its flight data insights to drive an automated and integrated software solutions platform for a general aviation business.

“The amount of paper-based, manual processes in an aviation business today is mind-boggling — this will be a real game-changer,” Blackwell said.

The foundations began in 2020 with the release of Spider X — a virtual flight data recorder, which is now installed in thousands of aircraft worldwide. This lightweight device has been thoughtfully designed, specifically with aviators in mind and the changing and evolving industry needs.

Spider X gathers high-resolution global positioning system (GPS) and attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) data from the aircraft and transmits it seamlessly back to the Spidertracks platform, which is then rendered on web-based and mobile applications. An exciting new release enables the integration of this data with other software vendors, marking the beginning of the platform evolution.

“We’re in a unique position, offering an integrated hardware and software solution,” said Sarah Sinclair, product owner at Spidertracks. “We have the ability to capture valuable data upfront and share it with selected software providers, building connected operations. We receive a lot of feedback on the need for operational insights — our customers want to understand not only how safely their aircraft are being flown, but also how efficiently.”

Sinclair said that by uploading flight data from Spiders automatically and providing a simple way to view and share that data with other software platforms, Spidertracks can eliminate the wait time and manual overhead that currently exists.

“Currently, operators have to wait for flight data to become available and then manually enter it into different software platforms,” Sinclair said. “From planning, scheduling, flying, and crew duty times to SMS [Safety Management System] and managing all maintenance and training, it will streamline every process in an aviation business. This will make a massive difference in operational efficiency.”

Spidertracks estimates between one-quarter to one-third of operational expenditures in global commercial general aviation exists because of inefficiencies in the industry.

“Our customers are facing increasing pressure to improve both safety and operational controls in their businesses, and the need for purpose-built, end-to-end solutions has never been greater than it is today,” Blackwell remarked.

General aviation has a fragmented vendor base with many legacy tech suppliers and underdeveloped solutions. With the impending mandate for SMS and a drive for digitization across the industry in general, operators need to be better positioned for success in this environment. “We’ve got a key position in the market where we are monitoring thousands of aircraft performing critical missions,” Blackwell said. “This lays the foundation for us to continue building on the data already gathered by the Spidertracks product suite to expand our offering to a full-service, one-stop integrated platform.”

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Inside mission aircraft at many elite medical, search-and-rescue and firefighting operators, you’ll find helicopter crews dressed in unique, meticulously crafted flight suits from Stephan/H.

A-list actors have also worn Stephan/H suits in Hollywood movies and top-rated Netflix series. While the striking esthetic of Stephan/H apparel is part of its appeal, this class-leading company from Quebec City, Quebec, has always embraced a function-over-fashion approach.

“Our clients’ mission is our mission,” said Katrina Davis, customer experience prime at Stephan/H.  “We’re there to fulfill their needs, to customize our suits and offer options that make their jobs and lives easier, better and safer — every day.” 

It’s a mentality that resonates with many of the industry’s top operators and their crews.

‘’At Talon, we really appreciate the time, effort and care that is put into each of our custom Stephan/H flight suits,” said Jarrett Lunn, chief pilot at Talon Helicopters in Richmond, British Columbia. “The two-piece signature Nomex flight suit is our go-to for both pilots and hoist operators.’’

“The rotor pants are absolutely perfect and exceed expectations,” added Alex House, a customer in the U.K. “Your customer service has been incredible as well. Thank you so much for making a potentially stressful situation incredibly easy and informative.”

Other Stephan/H clients include Topflight, the elite flight school run by Canadian Helicopters in Penticton, B.C.; Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance in the U.K.; and multiple clients in the U.S. that can’t be named for confidentiality reasons.

“We have clients in a variety of fields who don’t all use the same equipment,” Davis said. “In order to respond to all of them, we offer copious customization options.”

Superior quality

Stephan/H helicopter flight suits are designed for, and with the input of, professional pilots.

The company’s professional-grade Rotor Collection suits are made with breathable, comfortable, water repellent fabric that is also abrasion-resistant to protect against the inevitable scuffs and bumps of everyday use. Special inserts in the elbows, armholes, knees and lower back have four-way stretch capability that increases freedom of movement.

“These inserts correspond to the main articulation where our bodies bend — this allows comfort in day-to-day functions,” Davis said. “The suit accommodates any type of movement the person will need to do, whether it’s small or extreme — like pulling somebody out of a situation or strapping them in and making sure they’re secure in the aircraft.”

The company’s Signature Collection is designed to meet or exceed the highest standards for flame-resistant clothing. Its durable fabric is also resistant to abrasions and electric arcs, also with four-way stretch inserts for improved mobility.

Similarly, the Stephan/H Ultimate Collection flight suit is designed for, and with the input of, personnel in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). They’re resistant to flames, abrasions and electric arcs, and provide added protection against minor projections of liquid chemicals. Kneepads, large pockets in the thighs to carry first-aid equipment and other EMS equipment are incorporated into the suit.

These base models come in a minimum of 35 sizes per gender, and they are said to fit about 90 percent of pilots and crew members. Clients who need a customized solution are offered with bespoke, made-to-measure flight suits.

“We can accommodate additional needs from clients like embroidery, nametags, patches, kneepads,” said Louis Rancourt, account director at Stephan/H. “Whatever the client needs to fulfill their mission.”

Crew-retention tools

At first glance, a flight suit might not seem like an obvious crew-retention tool. But given the industry-wide shortage of pilots and other crew, they can make a big difference.

“With the need for employees, helicopter companies are having to listen to the needs of the end user,” Davis said.

Quality, security and sustainability are core values at Stephan/H. But the brand also goes far above and beyond these basic requirements. To wear a Stephan/H flight suit is to embrace the company’s vision and notoriety — to join an elite club made of forward-thinking aviators.

“Most of our competitors are telling the client what they should wear,” Rancourt said. “Whereas we listen to clients. We adapt to every mission that clients have.”

Again, this mentality resonates with customers — many of them respond with glowing feedback.

“I’ve finally had the chance to fly in the suit — I love the fit and feel of it,” said Mark Friesen, a Canada-based client. “The adjustments made are perfect. I couldn’t be more pleased with the quality of your service and the flight suit.”

Adapting to the industry

This commitment to elite-level client experience, personalized support and attention to detail are among many factors that separate Stephan/H from other flight suit providers.

They’re also key to the company’s growth strategy. Through ongoing dialogue with clients, Stephan/H designers are constantly adapting to the changing needs of the helicopter industry.

“Climate change is a big factor for us,” Rancourt noted. “Pilots and crewmembers have a hard time working in higher temperature conditions all year round. We want to be there to respond to the need for a more adapted flight suit that will give them the tools to work on firefighting, on missions for search-and-rescue during hot summers. They want to be comfortable; they want to be cool, and they want to be able to provide the service.”

As the company enters the busy tradeshow season, Stephan/H is here to listen, serve, and grow.

“Give us our best shot, and feel free to challenge us in your daily mission,” Rancourt said. “Our arms are open to new projects, and we have a full team here, ready to work on the missions our clients face every day.” 

The post Stephan/H: Uniquely Suited For Any Mission appeared first on Vertical Mag.

One year ago, Reiser Simulation and Training introduced Heli-Expo attendees to its new Avionic Cloud Trainer (ACT), an interactive training tool to help pilots learn an aircraft’s complex systems from the comfort of their own home.

Martin Keil, Reiser’s chief technology officer, said the German company’s software-based solution has been well received by industry. Over the past year, its capabilities have been developed even further.

“[The ACT] is now part of a larger organizational tool focusing on pilot training management,” he explained. “Aviation training regulations are strict. In order to fly certain aircraft, you must have a type rating that has to be renewed. For that, you need training media and an instructor.”

The ACT has been folded into Reiser’s new simplAIR training management system, designed to complement the company’s full line of training devices — including Level D simulators, flight and navigation procedures trainers, maintenance training rigs, and full-scale replica cockpits.

Pilots access simplAIR on their phone or tablet. Working alone or in groups, they follow an integrated syllabus with instructor guidance and support. Learning is reinforced by artificial intelligence (AI) evaluation and feedback.

It’s not just a tool for pilots either — simplAIR also manages information and training requirements for helicopter emergency medical crews, simulator technicians, training organizations and regulatory bodies.

“People can conduct training at home using the ACT,” Keil noted. “There are complex systems in the aircraft today, and it is boring to learn them by manual. Now, there is an interactive tool, allowing you to train at home while sitting on your couch. All you need is internet access.”

He said Reiser plans to take ACT even further, through amendments that include enhanced interactive training courses and a credit system for programs successfully completed.

“We are aiming for an AI instructor-type solution,” Keil said.

Reiser’s newest offerings are part of the company’s strategy, but also a byproduct of a busy pandemic period. In fact, company CEO Dr. Roman Sperl said Reiser is posting its best performance ever, and “numbers are very good.”

He, too, pointed out that pilots are not the only ones well served by Reiser’s software-based training solutions.

“These are tools for an organization to make training more effective for the individual — whether pilot, maintainer, or hoist operator,” Sperl said.

The latter group is enjoying the benefits of another new Reiser training system, hoistAR. Targeted at rescue hoist operators, it employs augmented reality (AR) to deliver realistic training for operational hoist procedures. In addition to seeing and feeling as if they are really flying on the helicopter, students can be linked with the rest of the helicopter crew through full-flight simulator (FFS) connectivity.

As operators look to create efficiencies in their training programs, Reiser is seeing increased interest in its products and services.

“Customers are looking for classroom training, where instructors use ACT to train a large group of people,” Sperl said. “Once they have basic instruction, they can continue with their training at home. It’s very intuitive.”

A family of devices

Reiser delivers a full range of helicopter flight simulation devices, from top-of-the-line Level D full-flight simulators (with “roll-on/roll-off” cockpit interchangeability) to lower fidelity training equipment. They are all part of a common family.

“All our training devices have characteristics in common,” Keil said. “There is a common software core, so we are coming from the high-quality end to develop lower-fidelity applications. You can really feel the difference.”

Reiser partnered with RS Flight Systems in 2021 to produce cost-effective helicopter flight and navigation procedures trainers (FNPTs) and flight training devices (FTDs). The resulting F-light line family of trainers is modular, upgradeable, and powered by Reiser’s Level D FFS software.

“Of course, it cuts costs but it maintains the same training capability you’d expect from a higher-end trainer,” Sperl said. “You get the maximum output of training at a fraction of the cost of an FFS. It fits through a regular door, and opens up full training to smaller operators.”

Sperl said the F-light line family of devices was recently improved with the addition of extended reality (XR) goggles, which replace the system’s previous mini dome and projectors. The new goggles were debuted last November at the European Rotors tradeshow in Germany.

“We were approached by customers who were extremely happy to see there is a small footprint, still with that immersive feeling as if you are sitting inside a dome,” Sperl said.

Reiser also presented an early demonstration version of hoistAR along with a fully functional roll-on/roll-off cockpit module equipped with the XR goggles.

“The hoist and cockpit were connected, so people could fly interconnected as a crew,” Keil said.

At this year’s Heli-Expo show in Atlanta, Georgia, Reiser will be demonstrating the hoistAR and simplAIR systems.

Sperl noted that helicopter training, like commercial fixed-wing training, is moving toward a competency-based model that focuses on where pilots need additional training.

“The more we can train simplAIR to recognize these areas and highlight them, the better,” he said.

To help operators who want to purchase their own flight simulators, Sperl revealed that Reiser will also be supporting potential customers by connecting them to specialized financing services.

“Customers need to have funds, financing, a business plan,” he said. “They may be a flight school trying to decide if they can afford a sim. We are aiming to open acquisition to a much wider audience. A lot of them are new to the idea. We want to make their business case fly.”

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It’s been more than 30 years since Alpine Aerotech opened the doors of its helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Now, home to its team of more than 140 employees, the company boasts one of the largest MRO and parts distribution facilities in North America.

Aerotech continues to build on its industry-wide reputation as the “go-to” shop for work on Bell’s venerable medium machines — the workhorse 212 and 412 series of helicopters.

Leveraging its engineering, design and manufacturing expertise, the company has developed a slate of supplemental type certificates (STCs) that can enhance its clients’ helicopter operations.

“Many of our STC products have been derived from our own internal maintenance experience,” said Taylor Wilson, Aerotech’s manufacturing manager. “We rely on the analytics and knowledge from our MRO side when developing a product or approved repair.”

Simon Konte, a design engineer with two decades of experience at Aerotech, expanded on the company’s STC process and said, “If we see a part constantly coming through the door for repair, or if the guys on the floor are seeing ongoing maintenance issues, then that’s a red flag for us.

“That can give us an idea for an STC, which will go to market research and cost benefit analysis,” Konte continued. “We then determine the ease of manufacturing and maintenance to make sure it would be an improvement for the operator. We don’t want to design something that’s a maintenance burden or too expensive for the operator to implement.”

Aerotech’s first STC was a redesign of the Bell 212 exhaust system, an outer heat shield jacket mounted on the outside of the exhaust ejector. Held in place with “hundreds of rivets,” the part had become a maintenance headache.

“Our STC replaced that with a floating jacket held on by just a few screws and a series of band clamps,” Konte said. “It makes inspections and maintenance really quick and easy. We also developed the exhaust deflector that directs hot exhaust away from the tailboom, reducing the temperature on critical components.”

That update led to Aerotech’s most successful STC, an improved configuration for the Bell 212’s exhaust ejector/deflector.

Meeting the goal of increasing the durability and repairability of the exhaust system, the STC not only became popular as a retrofit, but original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Bell asked Aerotech to supply the components of the design for its new production aircraft.

“Our part number is in the Bell IPB [illustrated parts breakdown] and is on every 412 that comes out of Bell and Subaru,” Wilson said.

Aerotech has dozens of operational STCs covering everything from the 212/412 exhaust system to Bell and Airbus panel protection, deep snow bear paw kits, and 3D printed ducting and headset hangers. Recently, the company has focused on advanced avionics and glass cockpit upgrades.

“We’re seeing a shift toward those kinds of projects,” Wilson said. “There are new requirements driven by regulators, and if that capability is required by an operator’s contract, they’re going to need to source and install these STCs.”

Aerotech works hard to maintain its relationship with the regulatory community, while recognizing that level of scrutiny of the aviation sector has increased.

“Transport Canada sets a high standard in terms of the worldwide certification requirements. And the regulators have a lot of faith and trust in what we have been able to produce in the past,” Wilson said.

Depending on the complexity of a design, Aerotech’s timeline from STC idea to regulatory approval has ranged from a few months to a year.

Most recently, a Bell 212/412 STC was approved by Transport Canada for the installation of Astronautics RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) — with approvals in the works from other global regulators.

This system adds instrument flight rules (IFR) capabilities to Aerotech’s extensive avionics upgrades for the Bell mediums that replaces the original electro-mechanical flight instruments with a fully electronic suite of sensors and displays. It also integrates with existing ADS-B, TAS/TCAS I, and radar altimeter STCs.

Over the years, Aerotech has delivered thousands of STC kits, all including detailed documentation and installation instructions.

“The STC part of the business has really grown organically. A lot of what goes into the pipeline is based on our own experience and what we’ve experienced out in the field working on the helicopters,” said Alfonso Garcia, vice president of sales. “And we see it continuing to grow as we begin working with new aircraft types from OEMs, including Leonardo and Airbus. It’s clear that it will grow side-by-side with the maintenance part of our business.”

As a small but important part of Aerotech, the STC and product development division prides itself on having a direct line of communication with its customers.

“We’re very familiar with every product that comes out the door, so if someone picks up the phone and calls asking for maintenance help, assistance to install an STC kit, or general technical information about a product, we can typically answer those questions right then and there,” Taylor said. “That’s what our customers have come to expect.”

The post Alpine Aerotech: Solutions Beyond Maintenance appeared first on Vertical Mag.

AeroBrigham is known as the helicopter service provider that can get the job done — no matter what that job happens to entail.

From the smallest custom modification to large-scale maintenance, completions, refurbishment, paint and interior work, the Decatur, Texas-based company has it covered. As a testament to the company’s good work, business has been booming — even throughout the pandemic.

“We’ve grown 30 percent in the last 1.5 years,” said David Brigham, president and co-owner with his brother Danny. “We had to add more people to keep up with the workload.”

Although AeroBrigham has always taken pride in being the company that tackles even the smallest custom jobs, Brigham said that lately, more big helicopter completion contracts have been rolling through the door.

“Everything that has come to us has been huge completions in law enforcement and search-and-rescue [SAR]. We still have some small projects, but our concentration has shifted this year. Corporate and emergency medical services [EMS] work has been slower.”

For instance, the AeroBrigham team recently reconfigured a previously-owned Bell 429 for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. The accelerated five-month project saw all the original mission equipment and avionics removed and replaced with new radios, a tactical avionics package, and AeroBrigham’s tactical flight officer (TFO) station.

The system, which is easily installed on existing cabin seat rails, was developed in conjunction with CNC Technologies as part of AeroBrigham’s previous work on a fleet of eight Bell 429s for the Jamaica Defence Force. The final aircraft was delivered in September 2022.

The staff was also busy working on a brand-new Bell 429 completion for Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Also in conjunction with CNC Technologies, which provided a military-grade encrypted microwave downlink, AeroBrigham installed a hoist camera, Trakka searchlight, MX-15 thermal imager, and digital audio system, among other state-of-the-art equipment. The company also created a custom crossover cable that allows the MX-15 equipped aircraft to accept the MX-10 as a backup, without changing anything on the helicopter.

“The Collier County aircraft was scheduled to be here for six months and we delivered it in four,” Brigham said. “It was a very tough schedule.”

He also revealed that this aircraft will be displayed at Bell’s Heli-Expo booth, allowing showgoers to examine it in person.

On the fixed-wing side, AeroBrigham delivered one Air Tractor AT-802A FireBoss aircraft in March 2022, with another new completion and two upgrades coming soon. The company also installed mission equipment and a microwave downlink on a Cirrus SR22 aircraft destined for the Harris County Sheriff in Texas.

Brigham said law enforcement and SAR customers are generally looking for the same equipment: several cameras, night vision goggle compatibility, moving map systems, a microwave downlink system, touchscreen monitors, searchlights and sometimes computer-aided dispatch and 5G Wi-Fi service. AeroBrigham is also working with Smith Myers on its Artemis cell phone identification, geolocation and communication sensor — a game-changing system for SAR and disaster relief.

Physical and operational expansion

AeroBrigham’s hot operational pace continued throughout 2022, a year that saw the team expand to 26 staff members while delivering a total of 16 airframe completions and reconfigurations.

With business booming, AeroBrigham expanded into a neighboring 42,000-square-foot (3,900-square-meter) hangar at Decatur Municipal Airport in February 2023. All helicopter operations were relocated to the new hangar, which includes an in-house paint facility, while fixed-wing work remained in the company’s original hangar.

Ultimately, though, Brigham said the goal is to bring everyone back under the same roof in a brand-new, 60,000-sq.-ft. (5,570-sq. m) facility. He expects to break ground for that project in 2023.

While most of AeroBrigham’s expansion has been calculated, some is attributed to being in the right place at the right time. That was the case when the company was offered first chance to purchase SkyDisplay, the advanced display systems division of MyGoFlight. He hopes to break ground for that project in 2023.

“It makes head-up displays [HUDs] for SR22s and Air Tractors,” Brigham explained. “We’ll be moving forward with R&D [research and development] so we can have that equipment put into helicopters, too. This expands our product offering tremendously. The potential is amazing and we expect significant growth. It’s really good for firefighting, for example — it gives them the ability to see hot spots, see through light rain and fog, or smoke when integrated with a thermal camera or EVS [enhanced vision system].”

In addition to SkyDisplay HUDs, AeroBrigham’s product line also includes a previously developed Bell 505 helicopter accessory fitting, approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 2022. The new supplemental type certificate (STC) covers the installation of a secure attachment point for personal restraint harnesses during doors-off operations.

To elevate its profile, AeroBrigham also sponsors the “Straight and Level” TV show on Amazon Prime. Season 3 will be released soon, Brigham said.

“We never really thought it would be a big marketing tool, but it has brought us a fair amount of business,” he said of the show. “One thing it’s emphasized is how important branding is to your business.”

Despite its growth, AeroBrigham still puts quality first.

“A lot of our expansion is due to the good relationships we have, including our relationship with the FAA,” Brigham reflected. “We have a reputation for providing good service at a competitive cost. We can take on projects that a lot of companies can’t take on. We’re always striving to increase our capabilities and maintain quality, even though we’ve grown.”

The post AeroBrigham: Expanded Focus appeared first on Vertical Mag.

Technisonic airborne communications systems are the products of choice for the demanding tactical applications of air ambulance, disaster response, fire suppression, and law enforcement. The evolving individual needs of operators in these fields demand that suppliers keep a finger on the pulse to maintain an edge.

Jim Huddock, director of federal/military/OEM sales and programs at Technisonic, calls it a “continuous improvement mindset.”

“The direction the company had adopted is one of continuous improvement, focusing on new capabilities and product updates, while also working toward making existing installations more capable,” Huddock said. “We believe this approach benefits new customers, but also provides the ability to help customers who have existing products add a needed feature or capability that might have been missing when they bought their radio.

“An example is the introduction of the T6 All-Band analog module,” Huddock said. “We took three module selections and combined them into one so that the
customer doesn’t have to balance their need for a 30-50Mhz module or a UHF 225-400MHz. It all comes together as one package. It’s a win all around.”

Knowing the customer and learning about their mission has always been the secret of Technisonic’s success. A brand-new product isn’t always needed. For example, “this year we also introduced the TDAP 650 audio panel,” Huddock said. “After we introduced the 611 a year earlier, we heard customers say, ‘We’d really like to have Bluetooth in the cockpit.’ Now they can connect via Bluetooth to the audio panel.

“We took a product and through feedback, found a way to evolve it versus coming out with a brand-new product,” Huddock explained. “A brand-new product is always nice but it’s a long process. Between engineering, testing, certification and bureaucracy, it often can take much longer. We can give our customers faster service by expanding the capability of an existing system.”

Whether it’s a brand-new product or expanding and adapting an existing one, the technicians’ needs can’t be ignored. For example, when Technisonic did the upgrade for the TDAP 650 and the TDFM, the company looked at the installer’s point of view and asked how it can make the product easier for them.

“To do this, we were able to take a digital line out of the TDFM radio set and connect it to the audio panel,” Huddock said. “So instead of running 25 wires to an audio panel, they can now run just two.” This saves the installer a lot of time and moreover, saves a lot of weight.

“For the operator, it wasn’t something he/she would ever notice,” Huddock said, “but from the installer’s standpoint, it simplified things greatly.”

Serving the aviation industry for well over three decades, the Mississauga-based company has grown to over 60 employees with minimal turnover.

“I’ve been here for 12 years now and I’m still one of the new hires,” Huddock said. “It’s nice we have a lot of longevity across the organization. There’s memory of what we’ve done before, how we did things, what works and what didn’t work. We are used to working as a team.”  That team works a wide geographic area: North America, South America, and Latin America. 

“We are always looking forward — to see what’s next and try to keep ahead of the industry and what’s going to be changing,” Huddock said. “Because of how long it takes to engineer a product and get it to market, it means you have to be ahead. You have to be looking down the road because it might take three years to get a brand-new product out the door.”

So, with an eye on the horizon, what might be coming for Technisonic?

“We are going to continue to expand and provide new capabilities, both within our products and the organization behind them. Support and repair, sales and administration have all adopted the ‘continuous improvement’ mindset,” Huddock said.  

When it comes to adapting technologies new to aviation communications, “there are a lot more people looking toward product integrations and the use of newer digital technologies in the cockpit. We are keeping an eye on those trends and where they may lead to, where the opportunities might be to better both our products and our company,” Huddock said. 

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The importance of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications cannot be overstated — prior to Iridium Certus, rotorcraft operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) around the world struggled with reliable broadband connectivity.

Today, thanks in part to SKYTRAC’s leadership in midband and broadband connectivity solutions, not to mention its unwavering and constantly improving narrowband airtime and mission services, SKYTRAC is offering rotorcraft operators, OEMs, and integrators with reliable new capabilities.

SKYTRAC, an aerospace leader in satellite communications and intelligent connectivity, has dreamed of broadband connectivity since 1986 when a visionary group of aviators had the forethought of equipping aircraft with satellite tracking technology. Since the birth of the company, SKYTRAC has steadily grown its innovative technology solutions in multiple markets.

SKYTRAC’s work now helps aerial firefighters save forests, and search-and-rescue (SAR) teams navigate dangerous environments. It also provides coast guards and militaries with mission-critical capabilities, and helps empower humanitarian missions around the world.

With the development of SKYTRAC’s Iridium Certus midband and broadband terminals, which feature low SWaP antennas and terminals, rotorcraft and eVTOL operators can enable powerful services, such as real-time video downlinking, higher throughput data for more intensive cockpit applications, sensor fusion and artificial intelligence, and future capabilities that are limited only
by imagination.

SKYTRAC’s narrowband foundation

A key foundation of SKYTRAC
is its narrowband offering enabled by the powerful ISAT-200A satellite communications system. The ISAT-200A provides thousands of aircraft with automated flight following and mission monitoring, flight data monitoring (FDM), real-time exceedance alerting, automated post-flight data offloading — both for HUMS and FDM, voice and text messaging, flight data acquisition and storage, and satellite push-to-talk (PTT) communications.

True to its spirit of innovation, SKYTRAC has recently introduced a new capability through the narrowband spectrum: medical data transfer. Operators leveraging ZOLL or corpuls patient monitoring systems can stream 12-lead patient reports directly to hospitals or receiving centers, providing valuable information to physicians ahead of the patient’s arrival. This information allows for fast, decisive responses for medical teams with patients in critical care.

“Air medical operators are no strangers to flying in remote and rural regions that require satellite connectivity when cellular infrastructure isn’t present,” said Jan van der Heul, vice president of sales and marketing at SKYTRAC. “With dynamic medical data transfer, first responders can ensure reliable connectivity, which can often be the difference between a positive outcome and a very negative one.”

SKYTRAC’s evolution into Certus

SKYTRAC’s midband and broadband Iridium Certus bandwidth, made possible by the versatile SkyLink 7100, which features up to 22/88 Kbps of satellite bandwidth alongside built-in 4G/LTE cellular connectivity, and its flagship SDL-350 satellite communications system, which features up to 352/704 Kbps of satellite bandwidth alongside a powerful built-in CPU, GPU, and an expansive array of input/output interfaces, has positioned the company for significant growth in both existing and new markets.

In existing markets like aerial firefighting and SAR, SKYTRAC meets the demand for operators and OEMs seeking capabilities such as video downlinking and sensor fusion and artificial intelligence, which were previously limited due to technical limitations with geosynchronous satellite networks.

In emerging markets like urban air mobility (UAM) and the uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) segment, SKYTRAC provides global connectivity for applications such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) communications and command and control (C2), ensuring operators have total visibility of their assets.

For operators seeking to increase situational awareness, the SkyLink 7100 is making itself known as the ideal solution for advanced cockpit connectivity. Its 4G/LTE cellular connectivity and midband Iridium Certus provides pilots with global electronic flight bag (EFB) connectivity that integrates easily with cockpit applications such as ForeFlight. With bandwidth ranging from 22 Kbps to 704 Kbps, Iridium Certus offers weather-resilient L-band connectivity as the only truly global mobile satellite service available, Van der Heul said.

“Iridium Certus is a flexible, evolving platform with a variety of service classes that match specific customer requirements,” he said. “This increased bandwidth represents a significant improvement over narrowband and much faster, more resilient communications from anywhere on the planet.” 

Looking ahead, it appears advances at SKYTRAC won’t be slowing any time soon.

“As SKYTRAC continues to develop new capabilities and products that leverage the Iridium Certus network, customers can expect new mission services that increase safety and efficiency for operators, passengers, and onboard crew in nearly all segments of aviation,” Van der Heul said.

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When Rotorcraft Support Inc. opened its new 83,000-square-foot (7,710-square-meter) helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Fillmore, California, the company nearly tripled its footprint.

Its previous facility at the Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles had served the company well for more than three decades, but after a long run of steady growth, it was time for a change. 

They simply needed more space to suit an operation that has become known as one of the top small- to medium-sized MRO companies in the U.S.

“Our core mission is keeping helicopters operating, supporting the industry in the safest, most efficient way possible,” said Keys Miller, head of business development for Rotorcraft Support. “We love what we do, and we’re passionate about what we do.”

Rotorcraft Support is a full-service MRO provider, launched in 1986 by Phillip DiFiore — a licensed aircraft mechanic who still works as the company’s CEO and director of maintenance.

DiFiore started the company when he was just 22 years old, occupying half of one hangar at the Van Nuys Airport. He focused initially on Bell 47 helicopters used in tuna fishing operations, but quickly expanded his staff and expertise to include all the major helicopter platforms.

Today, Rotorcraft Support is an authorized service center and parts distributor for Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Enstrom, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Robinson, Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engines, Safran Helicopter Engines, Schweizer and Sikorsky.

“You don’t see very many [small] MROs in the country that can say that,” Miller said. “In general, I think that’s what sets us apart: Our experience and our people — the commitment our people have to safety and the industry.”

The company’s client list includes many leading operators in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, search-and-rescue, defense, homeland security, agriculture, utility and construction, tourism, news and media, as well as corporate and privately-owned helicopters.

Several of its mechanics are stationed in-house, full-time at municipal operators like the California Highway Patrol and San Diego Police Department.

Collectively, the company’s services include scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, airframe and powerplant maintenance, upgrades, refurbishment, aircraft completion, avionics design and installation, component overhaul and exchange, aircraft and parts painting, helicopter sales, aircraft record management, non-destructive testing and import/export aircraft shipping.

Rotorcraft Support is also a certified Part 145 repair station under the Federal Aviation Administration and European Union Aviation Safety Agency, an authorized original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts distributor, and has a solid vendor network that provides access to additional parts, components and maintenance personnel.

“We’re a turnkey operation,” Miller said. “We can do so many of those different things for our customers, and support the industry in that way.”

The overarching goal at Rotorcraft Support is to serve every segment of the helicopter industry, and it flows from the top. DiFiore is still hands-on in the company’s day-to-day operations, and all staff are continuously trained to stay current.

“Phil is still in the shop, turning wrenches, inspecting aircraft, and troubleshooting regularly,” Miller said. “Our senior management supports our safety management system program, our quality programs, our commitment to safety. It really gives the employees the feeling they do care about safety, and that changes can be made and implemented … it really starts from the top level.”

To further support the industry, Rotorcraft Support hosts an annual inspection authorization renewal seminar, and is an active member of several industry associations, including the Airborne Public Safety Association, Helicopter Association International, the Aircraft Electronics Association, Los Angeles Area Helicopter Operators Association, and the Southern California Professional Aviation Maintenance Association.

At its new headquarters in Fillmore, the company has a massive new hangar that enables it to accommodate heavy-lift helicopters that were too large for the Van Nuys facility.

It also has an expanded office, classrooms, more space for parts inventory, and a private heliport.

Instead of leasing space in Van Nuys, Rotorcraft Support owns its new building, and said it has improved workflows and safety by bringing the bulk of its operations under one roof. The result is faster turnarounds for returning aircraft to flight, and room to grow in the future. 

As existing customers diversify their fleets by adding new types of aircraft, Rotorcraft Support intends to grow along with them. Its breadth of expertise allows for comprehensive support for most major platforms.

In the meantime, customers benefit from the experience of the company’s long-time employees, many of whom have been there for more than 20 years.

The company’s mechanics are factory-trained with the OEMs, as are many of their employees in other disciplines — from salespeople to workers in the records department, and many points in between.

Rotorcraft Support mechanics also stay current on changes to maintenance manuals from OEMs, and learn the nuances of each individual airframe.

“We’re in it for the long haul,” Miller said. “This year, we celebrate our 37th year of supporting the helicopter industry, and we strive to always be there when our customers need us. The industry is like a family to us, and we don’t take that lightly. We care about the people we serve, and we plan to be here long into the future.”

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With a proven track record as a leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and supply chain provider for fixed- and rotor-wing operators, Precision Aviation Group (PAG) is always looking to expand its products, capabilities and geographical locations — all with the aim of putting its customers first.

“The last few years have undoubtedly been hectic for the entire industry, but for us at PAG, it has also been an exciting time,” said David Mast, PAG’s president and CEO. “We emerged from the crisis stronger, and today, our customer focused teams, facilities, and diverse MRO capabilities are among the best in the world.”

PAG’s drive to better serve its customers was the catalyst behind its successful growth over the last number of years. PAG has significantly expanded its service capabilities, repair facilities, and inventories throughout its group of companies.

Its most recent acquisition of Pacific Turbine Group (PTB) in 2022 now brings PAG’s total number of repair stations to 20 worldwide. The acquisition expands PAG’s engine services division to include MRO services on the Pratt & Whitney PT6 and Honeywell TPE331 engines, and significantly expands its supply chain services business.

Including PTB, the company now has 23 locations, and over 700 employees globally.
“Our acquisition strategy has always been very focused,” Mast said. “We want to expand our repair capabilities, inventory, and locations to give our customers access to a greater suite of products and services.”

PAG is well positioned to continue its growth trajectory in the coming years. It plans to continue to heavily invest in existing business units, scaling up capabilities, inventory, and people to be ready to provide immediate service and ensure its customers remain mission ready.

“We are renovating our largest facility located in Atlanta, Georgia,” Mast said. “We have been at that facility for 25 years, and our growth — due to customer demand and the addition of new capabilities — requires an expansion of the repair station’s footprint. This will ensure that we can continue to accommodate future customer demands.”

PAG’s dedication to its customers is evident through its substantial investments in its business units. Over the last 24 months, PAG invested around $15 million in inventory to support existing platforms.

The company plans to continue expanding its sales team, technical capacity, and leadership team, in addition to enhancing its customers’ experience by expanding in-house service capabilities and adding geographic locations.

With 80% of its customer base being mission critical operators, PAG carries a heavy responsibility as a leading provider of products and value-added services to the global aerospace and defense industries.

To ensure PAG fulfills its commitment to customers, the company organizes its repair services within four key market segments: avionics, components, engines, and manufacturing/sub-assembly/DER.

This structure describes the company’s depth and breadth of product and service offerings, and defines PAG as the obvious choice for those looking for a full suite of MRO services for fixed- and rotor-wing platforms.

“We focus on defining PAG in these four specific market segments because it helps new and returning customers understand how we can help them beyond their immediate need for specific parts or services,” Mast said.

Customers who turn to PAG for their avionics, components, engine, or manufacturing/sub-assembly/DER services can expect a one-stop shop with a single point of contact. This person will handle all logistics between PAG’s companies, capabilities, and services needed to keep operators mission ready. 

Others sell parts, we sell support

Certified by the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, ANAC, and many other international aviation authorities, PAG’s global repair stations are strategically positioned to provide 24/7 customer support.

PAG brings the global presence and local support its customers expect with unparalleled assets, including:

20 repair stations and 23 locations worldwide;

700+ employees;

850,000 square feet (80,000 square meters) of operational facilities;

100,000+ repairs performed annually;

$130-million in ready-to-ship inventory;

Parts from 75 OEMs;

24/7 AOG emergency support.

PAG’s family of companies is dedicated to providing its customers with complete aircraft support from tip-to-tail.

AVIONICS services

Component failure that grounds an aircraft is a constant concern for fleet operators, but customers know they can rely on PAG to answer their call — day or night — and leverage the company’s broad capabilities and seasoned staff to get their aircraft airborne ASAP.

PAG offers a full suite of avionics services — from legacy products to current generation platforms for a wide range of commercial and military rotor- and fixed-wing aircraft.

Its extensive suite of avionics services includes: engine controls, flight control systems, navigation, communications, flight recorders, lighting systems, and weather radar.

Essentially, whatever avionics service an operator needs, PAG will be able to deliver it through its full-service avionics shops and dealerships that service various locations around the world.

In 2022, PAG added new capabilities to its growing suite of avionics services by acquiring Velocity Aerospace Group. Velocity’s EDN Aviation facility in Van Nuys, California, specializes in manufacturing and refurbishing high-quality aircraft cockpit panels, multilayer circuit board assemblies, cable and wiring harnesses, avionics enclosures, and cockpit sub-assemblies.

Meanwhile, through its facilities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Burbank, California, Velocity offers MRO capability in avionics, electrical systems, fire protection, interior lights, water/waste assemblies, and more.

“Velocity’s workforce brings decades of technical experience and strong customer relationships into our portfolio and enables PAG to provide a much wider range of world-class products and services to our customers worldwide,” said Ketan Desai, PAG’s chief sales and marketing officer.

PAG’s expertise in avionics MRO services results in far more efficient and cost-effective support than that of its competitors, and at a fraction of the turnaround time.

While many traditional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
might offer built-to-order service on spares, PAG’s strong relationships
with OEMs allow operators to make immediate purchases from
PAG’s $130-million rotable inventory.

COMPONENT services

Mission-critical aircraft operators and fleet managers rely on PAG as a world-leading rotor- and fixed-wing MRO service provider.

To serve PAG’s component services market segment, the company provides MRO support for starter generators, wheels, brakes, landing gear, hydraulics, pneumatics, instruments, and batteries.

Performing over 100,000 repairs for 6,500 customers in 90 countries every year, PAG is well established as a global leader in the MRO industry. With specialized repair capabilities, PAG can save customers thousands of dollars by repairing components in-house.

In 2021, PAG expanded its component services capabilities through the acquisition of Trace Aviation, which specializes in Beechcraft King Air/1900 landing gear and airframe component exchanges and overhauls for customers around the world and in every sector where King Airs operate. That strategic move expanded PAG’s footprint into Jackson, Mississippi, and into landing gear and airframe repair services.

“Adding landing gear repair bolstered our capabilities exponentially,” Desai said. “Every year, part of our focus is to expand the number of capabilities we have — because what you service today, may not be what you service tomorrow.”

The acquisition also helps lower customers’ cost on landing gear overhauls. With the rising costs to ship landing gear — not to mention the long wait for the gear to arrive — PAG is making significant investments to make landing gear repair services more accessible to customers by also adding this capability to its global repair stations.

In 2020, PAG expanded its international footprint through the acquisition of EFIX Aviation Support in Brazil, allowing PAG to offer unbeatable component services to a broad range of commercial, DoD, and general aviation customers in the South American market.

PAG’s investment in inventory, new capabilities, and technical training at EFIX has greatly enhanced the facility’s ability to improve turn times and customer costs in this market.

ENGINE services

When it comes to repairing and overhauling fixed- and rotor-wing engines or components, PAG offers a broad range of MRO and supply chain solutions supporting engines, modules, fuel controls, governors, bleed valves, nozzles, fuel heaters, turbine blades, compressors, and gear boxes.

Through the acquisition of Keystone Turbine Service (KTS) in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, PAG added unlimited in-house capabilities for overhauling the entire Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300 series of gas turbine engines, including modules, accessories, and components, as well as providing testing services.

PAG’s existing large customer base operating Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300 engines can now add engine repair to the long list of services already provided by PAG. This acquisition also gave PAG the ability to provide customers with Honeywell and Triumph accessories, components, spare parts, and field service support.

Acquiring Rolls-Royce’s second largest Authorized Maintenance Repair Overhaul Center (AMROC) is another example of listening to what customers need and want, and making business decisions and significant investments to bring those service capabilities in-house.

“Through the acquisition of Keystone, not only did we add a Rolls-Royce AMROC, but we also acquired a team that has been the recipient of the coveted Rolls-Royce ‘Best in Class’ award for two consecutive years,” Desai said.

In 2022, PAG acquired PTB Group, expanding its repair capabilities for the Pratt & Whitney PT6 and TPE331 engine lines. PTB also leases engines and airframes, and provides aviation supply chain services.

PAG has now acquired the following entities from PTB: Pacific Turbine
USA Group (aka Prime Turbines) with locations in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania; Pacific Turbine Brisbane and Pacific Turbine Leasing,
both in Brisbane, Australia; and International Air Parts located in
Sydney, Australia. 

MANUFACTURING/SUB-ASSEMBLY/DER services

Customers will tell you what they want, suppliers just have to listen and take action. PAG listened and committed extensive resources to an entire market segment, determined to ensure that its customers’ needs were met.

The manufacturing/sub-assembly/DER segment led PAG to acquire new facilities that allowed it to add key in-house repair functions, create DER repair processes independently where repair specifications or manuals were not available, and make parts enhancements that benefit aircraft operators at lower costs than outside suppliers could provide.

The acquisition of Ontario, Canada, based Precision Rewind Services (PRS) provides MRO services for over 1,000 different armatures, stators, rotors, round wire, solenoids, and coils.

In addition, the acquisition of Camarillo, California based Precision Display Repairs (PDR) is one of only two facilities in North America that can repair aircraft LCD displays. Where historically the customer would have to purchase a new LCD display, PAG is now able to repair them using its proprietary processes.

EDN Aviation, a 2022 acquisition in Van Nuys, California, specializes in manufacturing and refurbishing high-quality aircraft cockpit panels, multilayer circuit board assemblies, cable and wiring harnesses, avionics enclosures, and cockpit sub-assemblies.

These manufacturing/sub-assembly/DER services result in many advantages for the customer, including impressive cost savings. For example, the unique capabilities and extensive reverse engineering processes used by the PDR Camarillo facility can yield, in some cases, $10,000 to $15,000 in savings for a single LCD repair.

“Through internal development and acquisitions, PAG has added over 1,200 specific DER repairs,” Mast said. “We know there are hundreds of ‘problem parts’ for us to capture to further enhance our customers’ experience. Our engineers are constantly working on projects that will yield our customers better turnaround times and increased savings on parts costs.”

Superior Support For Mission Critical  Operators

Mission critical helicopter operators know the importance of keeping their aircraft in the air — and so does the experienced and trusted team at PAG.

“We’re driven to go above and beyond to serve our customers because we see the direct benefit of the solutions that we’re able to give to them,” said Jordan Webber, vice president of PAG Component Services.

A major part of PAG’s work is focusing on mission critical operators, such as law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS), and search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopters. While all customers who call on PAG for support are treated with superior service, “these mission critical operators hold a special place with us in the company,” Webber said.

For EMS and SAR operators in particular, there’s a direct and life-threatening consequence the longer their aircraft is grounded. This is the driver behind PAG’s passion for helping its operators stay mission ready, day-in and day-out.

“When we’re able to pull together support in an AOG situation and get that aircraft back online, it gives us personal satisfaction knowing the operator can now help rescue that patient or fight that wildfire,” Webber said.

Joining PAG in late 2011, Webber manages a vast geographical region for the company, which continues to expand around the world. This includes PAG’s Australian base — now an FAA and EASA-certified repair station with a sales and logistics function. 

Webber was also involved in establishing the company’s Singapore location in 2016, as well as managing its Vancouver, Canada, facility since 2018.

As a former director of sales at PAG Australia, Webber is well versed in understanding customers’ needs — a knowledge he has used to help shape the products and services PAG now offers to its operators. 

“From day one when I came here, it has always been heavily customer focused — what can we do each day to make the customer experience better?” Webber said. “When customers have a requirement, we’ve got people on standby to mobilize and do what
needs to be done — so whether that’s going in at midnight to collect a part and meet a courier, or drive it to the customer directly. “We have passionate sales teams that go over and above without being asked to. It’s their natural instinct.”

As PAG expanded significantly over the years — in capabilities, products, and geographical regions — its customer service team has only strengthened with each new business acquisition.

“We’ve been fortunate at every single location to have some very long-term salespeople, whether that be Keystone Turbine or Trace Aviation, or now PTB Group,” Webber said. “We’ve had people who have 10, 20, or 30 years with the company and have been on the customer facing side the entire time.”

Not only does that long tenure bring experience and knowledge to the company, but it has also resulted in a strong connection that PAG has uniquely formed with its customers.

“The relationships they establish go beyond professional. Our people almost become part of our customers’ families and their organizations as well,” he said. 

This personalized relationship with the customer has propelled PAG above his competitors in being able to learn what operators need, invest in the inventory to ensure parts availability, and grow its capabilities to provide an all-service support center.

While other competitors have been hesitant to invest in these areas during times of crisis, PAG has taken a leadership role in putting the business of its customers first.

The company’s recent acquisition of PTB Group in 2022, coupled by its acquisition of Keystone Turbine Services in 2021, is a prime example. Those expansions brought a number of new engine service capabilities to PAG, offering customers a one-stop shop for all their MRO requirements.

“The PTB Group acquisition — with the company being so focused on the Pratt & Whitney PT6 — unlocked a huge market potential for us,” Webber said. “These were customers we were already servicing in other areas, and now we’re able to tell them we can look after their engine service as well.”

Another focus for PAG has been its used serviceable material (USM) market, where the company has creatively repurposed its inventory items to offer a unique solution for customers in need of parts.

This has allowed the company and its customers to navigate around some of the post-COVID issues affecting the aviation industry, such as raw material shortages and parts obsolescence. As a result, PAG can continue to deliver parts in a timely manner, while helping to drive down costs for the operator.

“We have competitors in each market segment, but our point of differentiation is our ability to offer tip-to-tail solutions for the entire aircraft,” Webber said. “We take the time to build a relationship with our customers, and they know they can rely on us to do everything for them.”

The post Precision Aviation Group: Keeping operators mission ready appeared first on Vertical Mag.

Of the many paradigm-shifting innovations in the helicopter industry over the last 25 years, adding night vision goggles (NVGs) to civilian pilot toolkits has been among the most impactful.

These lifesaving devices, previously used by military pilots for several decades, were introduced to the civilian market largely due to the efforts of Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) and Mike Atwood, the company’s founder and CEO.

“He basically opened up the ability for anyone in the U.S. domestic market — and around the world — to fly with night vision goggles safely,” said Dr. Joseph Estrera, president of ASU.

“That has created roughly 4.2 million [NVG] flights that wouldn’t have otherwise existed … There’s a lot of lives saved with that, and Mike was the pioneer to break the barrier.”

Atwood, a former U.S. military pilot who flew Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters, launched ASU in 1995 with a simple goal — to help pilots save lives with night vision technology.

Today, ASU is one of the world’s leading NVG and night vision imaging system (NVIS) providers, as well as a trusted training partner of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“In everything we do, our focus is on night vision solutions that save lives,” said Chad St. Francis, the company’s vice president of business development and marketing. “ASU strives to ensure our customers receive the right night vision equipment, training and services to perform their mission safely … we’re a one-stop shop.”

A key indicator of the high level of trust regulators have with ASU is the company’s new five-year training contract with the FAA.

In January 2023, ASU began executing a five-year FAA contract for NVG helicopter training. ASU is providing initial and recurrent NVG ground and flight training to commercial helicopter-rated FAA inspectors and pilots.  

“It’s really at the heart of our core competencies,” St. Francis said. “We hope to continue training the FAA professionals that will drive NVG flight standards and safety within the domestic training market. We’re honored to train the FAA in this venture.”

Thanks to ASU’s efforts, NVGs are now standard equipment for many civilian, law enforcement, firefighting and helicopter emergency medical services operators in the U.S.

But the company’s goal is to see this technology spread around the world, making aviation safer in all jurisdictions.

A major development in this effort is a new ASU contract to expand NVG use in Brazil. The contract is a partnership with Brazilian distributor Quartzo Defense and will enable government organizations from 26 Brazilian states, as well as the Federal District, to buy night vision products and services from ASU.

The initial order includes NVGs, flight helmets, and night vison training for pilots and crew members in military police and military firefighting operations.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve received a contract in Brazil, but it is our largest contract to date,” said Dan Meyer, vice president of sales for ASU. “And it’s got a ton of potential. It’s a big deal for us, and we’re happy to work with Quartzo on that program.”

Another indication of ASU’s impact on aviation safety is Atwood’s recent induction into the Association of United States Night Vision Manufacturers Hall of Fame.

“It shows he’s a pioneer in the industry,” Estrera said. “Twenty years ago, in the U.S. domestic commercial aviation market, the barrier to entry was as tall as Mount Everest. Mike had to claw his way through all of that, because no one else had attempted it before … it’s an amazing thing.”

As they build for the future, Atwood’s expert staff at ASU continue to innovate.

One of their major new projects is to develop lightweight wide field of view NVGs for pilots in the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

The project will be partially funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through its Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program.

ASU was one of 10 companies to receive DoD funding through APFIT in 2022. Its goal is to develop, manufacture and deliver this new product to customers in just 24 months.

These new goggles will expand the pilot’s field of view from 40 degrees to 97 degrees, and will reduce the weight of wide field of view aviation goggles from 800 grams to 660 grams.

“This system removes significant weight off the head, while providing improved situational awareness and reduced stress for the warfighter,” St. Francis said.

ASU is also developing new products for the civilian market, including lighter-weight binocular NVGs with a target release date of mid-2023.

“There is a global push to operate under night vision systems safely,” St. Francis said. “That message is clear, especially with the large number of interactions with international customers participating in HAI events such as Heli-Expo. ASU is ready to support with the right NVG flight training, aircraft lighting, and night vision systems to operate safely.”

“We’ve made a commitment to innovation and manufacturing, so that we can control more of the process to provide our customers everything they need to have a safe mission,” Meyer added. “I think that’s going to be recognized by our customers — the commitment we have to them — and I think in turn, it will be a great, mutually beneficial partnership.”

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