Helicopter MRO services provider Heli-One has extended its capabilities within its Canadian operations in support of Airbus platforms, having secured formal approval for H130 tail gear box (TGB) MRO capability in late 2021 to extend its service portfolio at its base at Delta, British Columbia and bolster its ability to meet customer requirements.

It is also scheduling personnel training with Airbus for later in 2022 to expand its qualifications to include piece part repairs to COV and BOV level to help achieve increased efficiencies for customers in turnaround times and cost.

“These represent further phases of investment in our capabilities and reflect changing market demands,” says general manager of sales, commercial and customer support Carolyn Forsyth. “We’ve worked closely with Airbus in key areas across training and tooling, and these advances underline how we’re always looking at how we can expand beyond our portfolio and present MRO propositions befitting the modern-day market.”

The company is also advancing its work to create AW139 main gear box (MGB) services at the British Columbia facility. Heli-One has supported the AW139 platform globally since 2008 and the introduction of MGB maintenance services will add further depth and strength to its market offering.

Heli-One in Canada has had AW139 intermediate gear box (IGB) and tail gear box (TGB) capability since 2020, alongside long-standing approval for small component capabilities.

“Our AW139 capabilities have grown over the years in response to market drivers and our recognition that there has been an opportunity to broaden the maintenance options for operators,” says Forsyth.

Heli-One has worked in close collaboration with Leonardo on this latest addition to its capability portfolio, which positions Delta as the global hub for Heli-One’s AW139 IGB, TGB and MGB MRO operations. Its technicians have completed training at Leonardo in Italy and the necessary tooling is set up in Heli-One’s production facility. The technicians have been working through projects with one MGB ready for testing and another in progress. Heli-One has also stocked up with exchange units with one exchange already completed and further units available.

It has also enhanced its in-house testing resources to incorporate the AW139 IGB and TGB capability, an investment that will benefit all customers.

“The more capabilities you deliver in-house for the process, the better the turnaround times for customers and the more confident we can be in setting and delivering their expectations,” adds Forsyth.

Heli-One is a Leonardo Helicopters authorised component repair centre and Leonardo Helicopters authorised service centre for airframes and offers MRO services ranging from major inspections to small component repair. It also offers extensive avionics and rescue equipment maintenance services to AW139 operators. Custom modifications and repairs developed by Heli-One design engineers are also available to operators.