HELICOPTER ACQUISITION
Purchase and Sales Agreement After the long process of determining an aircraft model, it’s now time to build an aircraft to meet all your operational needs. This is where you should look at the aircraft (green configuration) and determine what types of equipment come from the factory and if that meets your needs. We happened to pick a completion center that works directly with the aircraft manufacturer, so it was easy for me to get with both parties to determine what modifications were available from both the manufacturer and the completion center that were either a supplemental type certificate (STC) or type certificate (TC) modification. Take the time to review these available modifications and make a list of those items that you think will add value to the purchase and safety to the operation. Look at these using a maintenance point of view also; some of these modifications can save time and money in the long run even if they add cost up front, engine barrier filters as an example. These add cost to the overall purchase price but can ultimately save huge bill back repairs in the future that can easily outweigh the initial investment. Some modifications can be ordered at the time of the initial
purchase at the factory and be cheaper to install there instead of later at the completion center. This could end up saving you money. Make sure you ask the sales representative these types of questions. Ask for discounts at every negotiation stage. Do your homework. Make as many connections as you can with other operators who fly the model you have chosen. If it’s within your budget, take the time to go to an operator and see an aircraft first hand. Talk with the operator’s maintenance personnel who used the completion center you have chosen as well. It’s a good way to see what others have experienced and see what’s working and what isn’t, both with completions and modifications. This will help justify your choices during the purchase and sales review. Double check all purchase and
sales agreements for accuracy and completeness.
Completion
The choice of a completion center is another topic that is very important to you as the maintenance department voice during the process. I can’t stress enough the value again of talking with others. This will give you a huge advantage with your choices and ultimately end up with what you want and what your customer expects. Express your expectations at your initial completion briefing meeting. Ask about any concerns you found during your planning stages. Take advantage of any invitation to visit their facilities and take a tour. Get to know the completion center’s employees who will
RA1C27-10 RA2C27-1 RA2C27-3
At The Completion Center
be working your aircraft. Set up a plan to do periodic checks and have conference calls between visits to keep everyone updated. Have all revisions and deviations in writing — don’t accept verbal agreements for anything. Make sure there are penalties in place on the sales agreement for not delivering on time. Ask the avionics manager what subscriptions have been activated or not. Get a list of all subscriptions that need to be set up and turned on.
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Vacuum pumps Filters & Gaskets Brake Components De-Ice Components
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