Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has signed a 20-year fleet management programme (FMP) contract with Pratt & Whitney Canada for the PT6C-67C engines that power its fleet of AW139 helicopters, which primarily serves the oil and gas sector in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and India. Last month ADA ordered two further AW139 units as part of an agreement for 15 AW helicopters placed in 2015.

The programme will also include the installation of P&WC's full-flight data acquisition, storage and transmission (FAST) solution for advanced prognostics and engine health management.

“When it comes to helicopter dispatch time is paramount, especially given the extremely large number of offshore takeoffs and landings by our fleet,” comments HE Nadir Ahmed Al Hammadi, chairman of ADA. “As the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, we have opted to invest in an FMP plan and the FAST advanced prognostics solution with P&WC to help optimise our maintenance environment and ensure our AW139 fleet remains mission-ready at all times to the highest safety standards.”

VP of customer programmes at P&WC Tim Swail adds: “The combination of our tailored FMP plan and FAST technology is a preventive maintenance solution that will help ADA reduce costs while supporting greater availability through comprehensive engine and aircraft health management. Our focus is on delivering long-term value and peace of mind to our customers through innovative and flexible solutions.”

Along with fleet management, P&WC's FAST solution will provide situational awareness about engine health, usage and trends by capturing, analysing and sending full-flight data intelligence wirelessly after the pilot shuts down the engines.