Four Rolls-Royce FIRST network members have enhanced their capabilities to include certified service for RR300 engines. Canada-based Airborne Engines, Louisiana-based Arrow Aviation and Pennsylvania-based Keystone Turbine Services (KTS) are each certified as authorised maintenance repair and overhaul centres (AMROC), while South Africa-based National Airways Corporation is certified as an authorised maintenance centre (AMC).

Each of these companies had previously been certified Rolls-Royce M250 maintenance centres and will now be able to provide service for both the M250 and RR300 product lines.

Programme director, helicopters Scott Cunningham says: “We congratulate Airborne Engines, Arrow Aviation, Keystone Turbine Services and National Airways Corporation for increasing their capabilities and commitment to Rolls-Royce customers around the world. These strong FIRST network members help enhance our global network of authorised maintenance providers, giving operators the maximum level of flexibility and competition for local service and support on their Rolls-Royce helicopter engines.”

KTS specialises in providing complete OEM-approved aftermarket MRO services for operators of the Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300 engines along with related Honeywell and Triumph accessories plus component, spare parts and field service support.

"KTS has invested over $2.5 million to acquire complete rental engines, spare compressors, gearboxes and turbine modules, along with upgrading two of our all-digital engine test cells," says general manager John Fraser. "We are now Rolls-Royce certified to repair, overhaul and test the RR300 engine, and we look forward to providing this new capability to all operators of the R66 helicopter."

With more than 16,000 turboshaft and turboprop engines in service and 4,500 customers worldwide, the Rolls-Royce FIRST network provides M250 and RR300 operators a global network of authorised MRO service centres. The FIRST network includes more than 30 approved, licensed service centres and its competitive structure means those operators can find affordable and reliable service anywhere.

The proven Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300 engines have powered more than 260 million flight hours of dependable service around the world. To date, more than 33,000 of these workhorse engines have been delivered to the marketplace.

The M250 and RR300 are manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana where a $600 million Rolls-Royce investment in modernisation and technology programmes was recently completed.