Arizona-based MRO provider StandardAero has received FAA certification on a new glass cockpit upgrade for the Bell 212 developed in cooperation with Alpine Aerotech and Universal Avionics. Alpine Aerotech, a Bell-approved customer service facility, conducted the first installation of this upgrade for an unidentified launch customer.
The system, available for both VFR and IFR operations, features two of Universal’s EFI-890H advanced flight displays that can be integrated with legacy Honeywell and Bell autopilot systems, and dual, large-format Garmin GTN 750 touchscreen GPS navcoms with TAWS and ADS-B capability. The STC also replaces aging and heavy Tarsyn gyros with the compact Rockwell Collins AHC-1000 attitude and heading reference system (AHRS).
“We are excited to bring yet another advanced technological retrofit solution to the market, specifically supporting those operators using the Bell 212 to perform important firefighting, search and rescue, offshore, and utility missions day in and day out,” said Elvis Moniz, StandardAero’s v-p of business development for airframes and avionics.
Meanwhile, StandardAero has continued its development of a new light helicopter autopilot system in partnership with Thales, having recently completed an in-depth market study and definition of design requirements for introduction on the Airbus AS350 as the initial platform. “Our efforts in the deployment of this light helicopter autopilot system are firmly embedded in our overall safety approach as part of our Safecraft initiative,” said Rick Stine, president of StandardAero Components, Helicopters and Accessories. The company believes the new system will bring new technological advances to the light helicopter segment, providing transport levels of capabilities and safety.
As part of that safety initiative, StandardAero and Robertson Fuel Systems developed an easily retrofittable crash-resistant fuel tank (CRFT), based on Robertson's military fuel restraint technology, for AS350 and EC130 helicopters. Since receiving an FAA STC at the end of 2017, more than 108 have been delivered to customers in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Guatemala, and Australia, with the first European customer, Air Zermatt, set to take acceptance this spring.
Centers of Excellence
Last year, StandardAero also launched two centers of excellence aimed at enhancing operational efficiency through product-centric locations in Canada—Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Langley, British Columbia—and it has noted progress since then.
“After announcing the establishment of our Helicopter Centers of Excellence in May of last year, our transition team immediately embarked on a major transformation of our Winnipeg facility’s Plant 4 location in preparation for the transition of engine MRO workload,” said Manny Atwal, v-p of sales, marketing, and business development for the company’s commercial helicopter services division. “Much work has been done over the past year to stand up our two helicopter centers in Winnipeg and Langley, and we are extremely excited to share with customers at Heli-Expo how the transition is progressing.”
At Winnipeg, the company completely demolished and rebuilt the interior of a 90,500-sq-ft building, which will be the new home of the company’s Safran Arriel 1 and 2, Rolls-Royce M250, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T engine services. The M250 engine line has been transitioned to Winnipeg, consolidating operations that were once split between the location and StandardAero’s Richmond, British Columbia facility, and the Safran and Pratt & Whitney Canada lines are expected to be fully relocated there later this year.
“We are very pleased with the results thus far,” Atwal told AIN regarding the Winnipeg facility. “The transition team is accomplishing this major initiative, on time, while maintaining the highest quality standards we have come to be known for and effectively minimizing disruption to our valued customers.”
At Langley, the company’s long-established facility and its 84,000-sq-ft Helicopter Airframe Center of Excellence is now fully operational, performing structural repairs, modifications, completions, and installations of avionics and specialized equipment.
It is also home to the company’s airframe engineering team, which has a lengthy history in developing STC solutions across all the major helicopter manufacturers. That group has been focused on safety and modernization initiatives, including the Safecraft portfolio.
In other news, Carlyle Group announced in December that it is purchasing StandardAero (Booth 1429) from Veritas Capital. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, industry financial reporters have pegged it at approximately $5 billion. Subject to customary regulatory review, the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter.
