Since 2010, HeliAir has been an official maintenance center for aviation engine producer Safran, the leading manufacturer of helicopter engines. This partnership certifies ÖAMTC Air Rescue maintenance centers to offer Safran’s full range of products and services. This includes 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,” explains Marco Trefanitz, manager of HeliAir. “That’s why helicopter operators are increasingly coming to rely on Austrian know-how, both in Europe and beyond.”
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” (SBH)/5-star 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,” explains 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 – everything 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 (all subtypes), Arriel 1 (all subtypes) and Arriel 2 (all subtypes).
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. The results of the audit not only demonstrated a 100% compliance with high quality standards, but also placed HeliAir among the leading Certified Maintenance Centers worldwide.
