Foreseeing Failures
The ability to forestall failures is a big benefit of digitally enhanced MRO helicopter services, but Leonardo Helicopters wants to take this advantage one step further by foreseeing failures before they occur. It’s all part of this company’s digital package. “We have developed algorithms to refine and improve the predictability of failures in the field; analyze the use of the helicopters in terms of maneuvers and spectrum of use; and simplify the periodic sharing of the as-maintained configurations of aircraft in the field,” D’Angelo said.
Armed with algorithms, Leonardo can provide helicopter owner/operators with risk-sharing maintenance contracts and turnkey pay-by-the-hour packages. These arrangements allow customers to avoid major outlays due to maintenance on their helicopters by “discharging part of the risk on Leonardo,” D’Angelo told Rotorcraft Pro. “In turn, Leonardo – thanks to the recognized capabilities of its own MROs, the amount of data coming from the field and the analysis and calculation of advanced algorithms – can afford to better manage the risk and provide guaranteed service levels.”
Quality Improvements
Digital technology doesn’t just let MROs offer
preventative maintenance and
reduce AOGs. It also allows OEMs like Airbus Helicopters to make improvements throughout its operation, which ultimately leads to happier MRO customers.
“When it comes to digital technological advances and updates in helicopter MRO, we focus our efforts primarily on areas that will allow us to enhance the quality and safety of our operations as well as customer satisfaction,” Lemaitre explained. “For example, we put in place a specific plan that has improved the turnaround time of blade MRO work, which has had a positive impact on customer satisfaction. Overall, thanks to our two types of HCare global support contracts (HCare Smart and HCare Infinite), we are able to offer an optimized solution for each customer’s situation, starting with by-the-hour spare parts supply or parts repair (Smart), to an all-inclusive solution covering all aspects of operating a fleet of helicopters (Infinite).”
Smaller Platforms
The power and possibilities of digital technology is making possible all kinds of innovations in the helicopter MRO space. Sometimes the goal is to push the envelope. Other times it
is to bring
advances that began in the world’s largest and most complex rotorcraft to the more affordable mass market.
A case in point: “What we do at Robinson Helicopter is bring technology that has traditionally only been available on larger platforms down to the small helicopter segment of the industry,” said Daniel Rugenstein, technical representative with Robinson’s Customer Training and Support unit. “This helps the MROs make better maintenance decisions, increasing the level of safety in our helicopters. A couple of examples of these are the engine monitoring units (EMU) and the 4K cockpit cameras that are now available on all of our helicopters. We created both of these units in-house using our engineering staff, which gives us the ability to maintain control over cost and future upgrades. The computer software needed to interact with these units is available free of charge and open to everyone via our website at
robinsonheli.com.”
86 Jan/Feb 2022
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