NEWS
Vector Aerospace to Conduct AS355 12-Year Inspection for Aero Asahi Vector Aerospace (
www.vectoraerospace.com), a global, independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, announces it has secured a contract from Aero Asahi to perform an Airbus Helicopters AS355 F2 12-year major inspection, including wiring, refurbishment and exterior paint. This will be the latest of several AS355 refurbishments that Vector has performed for Aero Asahi over the past two years. “We are pleased to be selected by Aero Asahi to perform
further MRO work for their fleet of AS355 aircraft,” says Craig Pluim, vice president, Sales–Rotary Wing, at Vector Aerospace. “We have extensive experience performing 12- year inspections for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 family of helicopters, and this newest contract from Aero Asahi further highlights Vector’s position as a global provider of nose-to-tail MRO services for the AS355.” “Our decision to select Vector to provide this inspection
was based on past experience and previous support from them,” says Shinichi Fujita, director of Maintenance, Aero Asahi. “We are very pleased with Vector’s quality and turnaround time. They are a pleasure to do business with.”
AW101 Norwegian All-Weather SAR Helicopter Unveiled by Norway’s Minister of Justice
and Public Security Leonardo-Finmeccanica announces the AgustaWestland AW101 Norwegian All-Weather SAR helicopter has been unveilled by Anders Anundsen, Norway’s Minister of Justice and Public Security, during a rollout ceremony held at Leonardo Helicopters’ Yeovil facility in south-west England. Anundsen says, “This rollout ceremony marks the accomplishment of a very important milestone. The helicopter that will be an important and crucial resource for the Norwegian rescue service is now complete and ready for testing. I am very pleased with the effort made by Leonardo Helicopters so far.” Daniele Romiti, managing director, Leonardo Helicopters, says, “This aircraft—the latest version of the AW101—can claim to be the world’s most capable and advanced SAR helicopter in the world. The combination of the platform’s large cabin, exceptional performance and all-weather capabilities, along with the very latest advanced sensors and mission equipment, give the aircraft unmatched capabilities. We look forward to starting deliveries next year and the AW101 taking over life-saving duties from the Westland Sea King that has served Norway for more than 40 years, saving thousands of lives.” Aircraft deliveries to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, who will fly and operate the helicopters, will start in March 2017 and continue through to 2020. As part of the
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HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com June | July 2016
contract, a fifteen-year “turnkey” support solution will be delivered, comprising spares, technical support and training services. The aircraft is equipped with an advanced SAR equipment package, including Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s newly-launched Osprey AESA radar. Based around a flat-panel antenna design, Osprey is the world’s first lightweight airborne surveillance radar to be built with no moving parts and will provide a 360-degree field-of- view for crews. Other equipment includes: a four-axis digital automatic flight control system (AFCS), two rescue hoists, searchlight, electro-optic device, mobile telephone detection system and a fully integrated avionics and mission system. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced systems that enhance flight safety, including a laser obstacle avoidance system (LOAM) and obstacle proximity LIDAR system (OPLS) which provide warnings of wires and other obstacles.
Professional Helicopter Services Signs Letter of Intent for Three
Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopters Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announces a signed letter of intent (LOI) with Professional Helicopter Services (PHS) for three Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters while at the Australian Helicopter Industry Association’s Rotortech 2016. PHS will be the first helicopter training school in the region to operate the Bell 505. Additionally at the show, Hawker Pacific, the independent representative of Bell Helicopter, joined PHS and Bell Helicopter leadership. “We are thrilled to become the first Australian helicopter
training school to integrate the Bell 505 into our program,” says CEO and managing director of PHS, Brett Newman. “The value and performance capabilities of the Bell 505 will complement our expanding fleet and tie in nicely to our ongoing commitment to being the most progressive and advanced helicopter company in the country.” PHS is Australia’s longest running, continually owned helicopter company with vast experience in all aspects of helicopter operations, including: corporate charter, pilot training, tourism, sling operations, firefighting, and mining and survey operations. “We are delighted that Professional Helicopter
Services has chosen the Bell 505 and will become the first helicopter training school in Australia to operate the aircraft,” says Sameer A. Rehman, Bell Helicopter’s managing director of Asia Pacific. “This signing reaffirms the ongoing demand for the Bell 505 with more than 380 letters of intent around the globe, and more than 130 of those in the Asia Pacific region alone.” With a cruise speed of 125 knots (232 kilometer/
hour), range of 360 nautical miles (667 kilometers) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (608 kilograms), the Bell
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