ÖAMTC Air Rescue maintenance centers offer Safran products
Austrian air rescue service ÖAMTC sees an increasing demand on Austrian know-how in the maintenance of Safran engines
Since 2010, HeliAir has been the official maintenance center for aviation engine producer Safran, a manufacturer of helicopter engines. This partnership certifies ÖAMTC Air Rescue maintenance centers, which are run by HeliAir, to offer Safran’s full range of products and services, including replacement parts – ranging from individual gaskets up to entire driveshafts and machines – as well as extensive technical support and service for helicopter engine maintenance.
“Our technicians have years of experience in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Safran engines,” explained Marco Trefanitz, Manager of HeliAir. “That’s why helicopter operators are increasingly coming to rely on Austrian know-how, both in Europe and beyond.”
Servicing 130 Safran engines from 55 customers
HeliAir’s technicians currently service around 130 Safran engines from 55 customers in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Ukraine and other CIS countries. Furthermore, HeliAir now services 12 ‘Support by the Hour’ contracts for turbines in Germany, Austria and Slovakia, having just recently secured an additional client in Austria.
“Under these contracts, helicopter operators pay a fixed cost per flight hour to the manufacturer,” said Trefanitz. “In exchange, Safran guarantees different service packages through its partner network – in this case HeliAir – that cover both routine and unscheduled maintenance.”
The packages offer diverse support – ranging from the quick delivery of replacement parts to complete, all-round turbine protection. HeliAir’s technicians are licensed to provide all-round service for Safran engine variants Arrius 2, Arriel 1 and Arriel 2.
Undergoing regular and strict regulation
The maintenance and repair of turboshaft engines is subject to strict regulation. To offer its customers this service, HeliAir must undergo routine audits and attain all the associated certifications.
“Hence we receive regular visits from Safran’s quality control division for extensive audits here in Innsbruck. During the most recent visit, we received absolutely no complaints from the manufacturer’s side,” emphasized Trefanitz.
Recently, Airbus Helicopters and ÖAMTC Air Rescue signed a firm contract for the purchase of five H135s. The delivery of the first helicopter of this contract is scheduled for early 2022.