AIRFRAME
Completing the work The next phase involves carrying out and completing the work. Alpine Aerotech’s expertise at project management comes into play to ensure efficient use of resources and meet- ing the customer’s schedule. “Delivering on time goes a long way to making a customer happy, so we take our turnaround time and delivery commitments very seriously,” says Baycroft, who oversees major projects that involve a number of Alpine Aerotech shops. A key capability on major refurbishment projects is Alpine
Aerotech’s avionics shop. There has been a revolution in avionics technology during the last 20-30 years, and many customers are ready to upgrade to the new flat panel and solid-state technology that improves both performance and reliability. Alpine Aerotech can provide STCs on new instal- lations. Additionally, partial or complete rewiring is often requested on older aircraft, and Alpine Aerotech’s efficient wiring harness manufacturing and laser wire marking make rewiring a cost-effective offering. Another key capability that comes into play in the comple- tion phase is Aerotech’s refinishing and paint shop. “When re- painting is required, having this capability in-house is essential. It allows us to control both quality and schedule, as some parts are painted in conjunction with other completion work, rather than doing everything at the end.” Aerotech works with
customers to help them create a new paint scheme or use their established scheme. Paint is more than just cosmetic — it is a first layer of protection against corrosion and the elements. Alpine Aerotech is equipped with pressure- and temperature- controlled paint booths to facilitate quality coating applications consistently. One 58-feet-long, 16-feet-wide, 20-feet-high booth can accommodate a complete medium- sized Bell helicopter, with another (30-feet-long, 14-feet-wide, 9-feet-high booth for fuselages, tailbooms or smaller compo- nents.
Alpine Aerotech utilizes plastic media blasting (PMB) pro- cesses to remove old paints and fillers, leaving a clean surface devoid of any residues common with chemical removal tech- niques. This process is efficient and environmentally friendly. Is there anything Alpine Aerotech doesn’t do? “Well, we don’t
overhaul engines or hydraulics — not yet, anyway,” says Camp- bell. “We have our eye on some new OEMs and helicopter types that we’d like to duplicate our existing capabilities on.” As Intrawest, Alpine Aerotech’s parent, grows its new aircraft leasing business into new helicopter types, it will look to Alpine Aerotech for support. “Looks like I won’t be retiring anytime soon,” laughs Campbell — and the helicop- ter MRO industry is all the better for it.
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HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com October | November 2013
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