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Bigger. Better. Bolder.

Sponsored Content | March 20, 2019

Estimated reading time 6 minutes, 15 seconds.

In May 2018, StandardAero announced the creation of dedicated centers of excellence, two of which aim to further strengthen the company’s helicopter engine and airframe MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) businesses. The move is designed to provide efficiency by eliminating duplicate operations and bringing together like products and highly experienced technicians. It also allows for better allocation of engineering, testing and technology investments to focus on growth areas that will deliver a more holistic support solution for operators.

“By maximizing the talents of our skilled workforce and building a more efficient operational model, we can provide our customers with an even higher level of customer service, with improved turnaround times and specialized, product-centric support,” said Rick Stine, president of StandardAero components, helicopters and accessories.

Center of Excellence for Helicopter Engine MRO

StandardAero’s longstanding Winnipeg, Manitoba, facility is expanding and rebranding as the dedicated Center of Excellence for Helicopter Engine MRO. Full-service Rolls-Royce M250 engine support has already transitioned seamlessly to the site, consolidating operations previously duplicated in Richmond, British Columbia.

With over 50 years of experience on the engine, StandardAero is one of just 10 Rolls-Royce M250 authorized MRO centers globally. It also provides MRO support for the Rolls-Royce RR300 engine.

Steady, dependable engine service is a hallmark of the company. This year, StandardAero celebrates its silver anniversary of supporting the Safran Arriel engine series, with 25 years of MRO experience on the type. Additionally, StandardAero has been an OEM-authorized MRO provider for the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6T engine series for more than a quarter-century. As a P&WC designated overhaul facility, StandardAero supports civil and military customers globally, including serving as the primary repair and overhaul provider for the variant powering the Canadian Armed Forces’ CH-146 Griffon helicopters (military Bell 412s).

As the Winnipeg center of excellence continues to expand its consolidated offerings, both Safran Arriel 1 and Arriel 2, and P&WC PT6T engine lines have begun transitioning. Both lines should be fully operational at the new location later this year.

In addition to these lines, StandardAero boasts a more than 40-year partnership with GE in supporting both legacy and current engine types. The company currently provides MRO for the GE CT7/T700 engine and is proud to have been appointed as the first independent authorized service provider for the type in 2017.

StandardAero will maintain full-service engine MRO support for the GE CT7/T700 in the greater Vancouver, British Columbia, area at a new location, which will also support Rolls-Royce M250 service center activities; Safran Arriel 1 and 2, and P&WC PT6T field service support; and Airbus Helicopters dynamic component repair. This new location will be fully operational later this year.

Center of Excellence for Helicopter Airframe MRO

StandardAero’s newly designated Center of Excellence for Helicopter Airframe MRO is in Langley, British Columbia, which has a rich history of providing airframe maintenance and repair services for several helicopter platforms, including Airbus, Bell and Sikorsky. The new 84,000-square-foot (7,805-square-meter) facility opened in late 2017.

The highly qualified Langley workforce is very experienced: three decades on Airbus Helicopter platforms, and as a Sikorsky customer support center for the S-76 and S-61. The center also holds Transport Canada AMO (approved maintenance organization) designations for many Bell, Airbus, MD and Sikorsky airframe platforms.

That’s not all. The Langley center’s capabilities encompass structural repairs and modifications, completions, avionics, and specialized equipment installations. A key differentiator for Langley is its world-class engineering team, which has experience developing advanced, cutting-edge STC (supplemental type certificate) solutions for various helicopter platforms across all major helicopter OEMs.

For example, in response to market-driven options for improved helicopter safety on legacy platforms, StandardAero launched its Safecraft portfolio–initially targeting the Airbus AS350 airframe–from its Langley center.

As Rick Stine explained: “In addition to the highly successful crash-resistant fuel tank (CRFT) that serves as the cornerstone of our Safecraft portfolio, additional work is currently being done on an advanced autopilot system and crashworthy crew and passenger seating, two critical solutions that we believe have the potential to monumentally impact the legacy AS350 helicopter fleet by addressing some of the most prevalent safety concerns facing operators today.”

Truly a Global Leader

From facilities spanning four continents–in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia–StandardAero offers an array of helicopter engine and airframe MRO services. It has maintenance approvals from civil aviation authorities worldwide, including from Canada, the United States, Europe, Chile, Mexico, Russia, Thailand, China and Singapore.

And, after more than 100 deliveries to date, StandardAero is poised to go global and deliver the first AS350 crash-resistant fuel tanks to European and Australian customers in early 2019.

As its reach expands internationally and the centers of excellence continue to progress, customers can keep relying on StandardAero for the same quality support they have come to expect over the years. However, they can also look forward to more comprehensive support and improved customer service.

“For StandardAero,” said Stine, “expanding our capabilities and global reach, maximizing our skilled workforce, and implementing improvements to our already industry-leading operational efficiency, all of these changes center on one primary purpose–delivering second-to-none MRO solutions and customer service to our valued customers in the helicopter industry.”

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