Press Release

Issued by DRF Maintenance.

August 3, 2009

The DRF Luftrettung is now approved to carry out major technical modifications on all licensed helicopters in Europe. In this way the Design Organisation, according to EASA Part 21J, is approved to acquire Supplement Type Certificates. Advantages include improved flexibility, less costs and shorter down time for its own helicopter fleet. Last but not least, other helicopter operators profit from the know how supplied by the DRF Luftrettung.

The first Supplement Type Certificates for the DRF Luftrettung issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency dealt with the installation of a cockpit voice and flight data recorder system for helicopters of type BK 117. As a consequence, the technicians could carry out these comprehensive installations in the maintenance facilities of the DRF Luftrettung independently. "Since we do not rely on external services anymore, we are in a position to save costs. Repairs for our helicopters can be implemented more rapidly. The extension of our Design Approval also involves major technical modifications for other helicopter operators – assuming free capacities in our maintenance facilities. The profits benefit the DRF Luftrettung's air rescue", explains Wolfgang Stein, Head of the Technical Department at the DRF Luftrettung.

Since 2007 the Design Approval has comprised minor modifications and repairs. Now the Design Approval has been granted for avionics, structure, electrical systems and medical equipment. The comprehensive approval process took approximately one year and involved the compilation of a manual and training for employees.