Florida, US-based helicopter rotor blade repair, overhaul and modification comany Aviation Blade Services (ABS) has been acquired by Connecticut engineering company First Aviation Services.

ABS is best known for its expertise in the UH-60 Blackhawk rotor blade, as well as the Sikorsky S-55, S-58, S-61, S-62, S-64, S-70, H-3, H-34 and CH-54 rotor blades and Westland Sea King rotor blades. It has an extensive library of Sikorsky rotor blade maintenance and manufacturing technical data and is a repair facility for Sikorsky rotor blades. The company's experience, knowledge and support for these rotor blades is unmatched.

President Leonard Peterson says: “We are pleased to join the First Aviation Services group of companies with its extensive engineering and certification expertise, and we are excited about our growth together.”

First Aviation CEO Aaron Hollander adds: “Len has built a wonderful business with a leadership position in the Sikorsky product line, and the Blackhawk in particular. We look forward to his continued involvement with ABS and the future growth of the company.”

This is the second investment First Aviation has made in the helicopter market in recent months. In April it acquired DART Aerospace in partnership with Greenbriar Equity Group, and it continues to look for additional investments in the helicopter market.

First Aviation Services is a provider of repair and overhaul, rotables management and related engineering services to the aviation industry worldwide. Its principal operating subsidiaries are Aerospace Turbine Rotables; Evōlution Aerospace; and Piedmont Propulsion Systems.