Category: Rotor

VSE Aviation Acquires Precision Fuel Components

VSE Corporation a provider of aftermarket distribution and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for land, sea and air transportation assets for government and commercial markets, has acquired Precision Fuel Components, in an all-cash transaction. The company says the transaction is immediately accretive to their Aviation segment.

Founded in 2001, Washington-based Precision Fuel is a market-leading provider of MRO services for engine accessory and fuel systems supporting the business and general aviation market. Precision Fuel specializes in supporting small turbine rotorcraft fuel controls, governors, sensors, bleed valves, and fuel pumps, along with radial engine components and Bendix-Stromberg carburetors. Precision Fuel is a member of the Honeywell Authorized Warranty and Repair Station (AWARS) network.

VSE says the acquisition expands their specialty distribution and MRO capabilities in B&GA and rotorcraft market. By combining VSE Aviation’s existing part distribution and MRO services with Precision Fuel’s engine accessory and fuel system MRO services, VSE Aviation customers will have access to differentiating, full-service, on-demand repair and distribution solutions.

The move also accelerates VSE’s customer acquisition within B&GA market, building upon recent organic wins. This transaction provides VSE Aviation access to new rotorcraft and fixed wing operator customers and expands VSE’s MRO capabilities within new engine platforms. This acquisition will allow for significant cross-selling opportunities, positioning VSE Aviation to expand its market share within niche, B&GA market adjacencies.

“We are pleased to welcome the Precision Fuel team to the VSE Aviation family,” said John Cuomo, president and CEO of VSE Corporation. “This transaction represents an important strategic investment for our Aviation segment, one that expands our repair capabilities across a diverse base of global rotorcraft, fixed wing, and B&GA customers. Precision Fuel’s value-added, high-margin MRO solutions will complement our existing service capabilities, while positioning us to further enhance our unique value proposition.”

Leonardo and Safran Partner for AW09 Single-Engine Helicopter Propulsion System 

Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines recently joined forces to further enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the next generation AW09 single-engine helicopter. The production aircraft will feature the 1,000 shp class of power Arriel 2K engine, the newest generation of the Arriel family.

Adrien Daste / Safran

The selection of the new engine guarantee the most efficient level of industrialization, global supply and supportability for customers. The combined Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines support network will provide innovative, simplified and competitive maintenance solutions and cost of operations, sustained by tailored PBH (Power-By-The-Hour) and SBH (Support-By-the-Hour) contracts as well as a large range of digital services. 

Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines boast a longstanding and now further expanding partnership spanning from propulsion systems for light twins up to super medium class helicopters. The two companies also share now the highest level of interest and commitment for the single-engine commercial market and its future evolution.

“Since the integration of Kopter into our organization and the introduction of the AW09 into our product range, we have firmly maintained our commitment to deliver to the market exactly what it expects from a single engine of the latest standards backed by an efficient and responsive global support network,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters. “The decision to select this propulsion system is totally consistent with this strategy and we look forward to working with our partner to bring the most modern single engine on the commercial market.” 

Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, commented: “We are proud that Leonardo has placed its trust once again in Safran Helicopter Engines to power its latest light helicopter. We will bring to the AW09 our strong expertise in single-engine helicopter applications together with the specific feature of the engine. The Arriel 2K engine is the latest version of the well-known Arriel engine family and will clearly bring high level of capability, reliability and ease of operations to the AW09.”

The new propulsion system is already installed on the latest AW09 prototype, PS4 (Pre Series 4), which is about to start flight test activities at Kopter’s facility in Mollis. PS4 includes all developments implemented and tested on P3, the previous prototype, allowing to reach the AW09 final configuration. PS5, the next and final prototype is planned to follow later in 2023. 

The AW09 programme performed major steps forward in 2022 in parallel to the integration of the production propulsion system, including flying the new & final main rotor blades and agreeing the type certification basis with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).

The AW09 will continue to be developed by Kopter in Switzerland with the contribution of joint Leonardo-Kopter teams. Kopter is set to become a Center of Competence for new light helicopters and an incubator of new technologies for vertical flight. As such, it will contribute to the development of new hybrid and electrical propulsion systems and will play an important role in the framework of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan, which aims to be in the leading position on the civil rotorcraft market and modern air mobility.

The single-engine AW09 offers increased modularity, modern electronic systems, high digitalization and the largest cabin and cargo hold in its category. Its superior characteristics — including fast cruise speeds and hot-and-high capabilities — are combined with a low noise signature resulting from the newly-developed dynamic assembly and shrouded tail-rotor.

Safran Helicopter Engines is the propulsion market leader for single-engine helicopters. The Arriel is one of Safran’s best sellers with over 15 000 engines in operation. Every day the engine enhances its reputation as a safe and reliable partner, especially for operators flying demanding EMS, search and rescue, law enforcement, maritime surveillance missions and aerial work.

CEO Suzanne Markle Elected to National Aviation Board

The Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) has appointed Suzanne Markle, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), as one of its six new directors of the board. Markle will serve a four-year term.

In this capacity, Markle will help shape the future at trade schools that train students to enter one of the most important and in-demand career fields in the country: aircraft and avionics maintenance technicians. 

According to Boeing’s 2022-2041 Pilot and Technician Outlook, 134,000 new mechanics and avionics pros will need to join the field over the next 20 years to meet the growing needs of the aviation industry. Many of these openings are due to upcoming retirements, as ATEC estimates 38% of current aviation mechanics are at least 60 years of age — and if these retirees aren’t replaced, airlines will be forced to reduce the number of flights they operate. 

“Every day, the FAA handles 45,000 flights carrying 2.9 million passengers, and every one of them depends on the experience of skilled technicians to ensure their flights are safe, efficient, and on time,” says Markle. “With so many senior technicians about to retire, attracting new talent to fill these positions is crucial, and that means we need to rethink how the skilled trades are presented as career options to students of all ages, genders, and interests.”

As president and CEO of PIA, Markle oversees the strategic direction and operation of all PIA locations and programs. She is a member of the nomination committee for the National Aviation Hall of Fame and was appointed by the DOT to serve on its Women in Aviation Advisory Board. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Seton Hill University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from California University of PA, and a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Markle has been with PIA in various capacities since 1999.

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects about 13,000 annual job openings for aviation maintenance and avionics positions over the next decade. With an average annual salary of $65,550 — and with PIA graduates’ typically starting their careers at $20 to $24 per hour — aspiring technicians can enter this rewarding and stable career field while incurring significantly less student loan debt than a traditional four-year college.

Rotorcorp Names Mike Gomez Vice President of Strategic Growth

Rotorcorp, an authorized Robinson Helicopter Company Service Center, announced that it has tapped aviation industry veteran Mike Gomez to join its leadership team. Gomez joins Rotorcorp as the vice president of Strategic Growth.

While the position is new, Gomez and Rotorcorp have a longstanding professional relationship. As president of Allegro Consulting, Gomez has been providing advice and counsel to Rotorcorp on strategic planning, go-to-market initiatives, and business development.

“Over the course of our working relationship, Mike has earned my trust as well as that of our entire leadership team,” said Rotorcorp president and cofounder, Sean Casey. “Mike has proven to be an invaluable contributor and facilitator of the strategies which have guided our remarkable 385% growth over the past 6 years. We’re humbled and honored to add someone with Mike’s unique qualifications in business and aviation to the Rotorcorp team.”

Indeed, Gomez is no stranger to aviation or the Robinson Helicopter community. Prior to Allegro Consulting, he worked for both Lockheed-Martin and Boeing as a flight safety engineer, international business development director, and program manager. Most interesting among his many duties and accomplishments was leading fighter jet (F-16, F-15, F/A-18) sales campaigns to strategic U.S. military allies.

Gomez served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and as a civilian aerospace engineer for the U.S. Navy. He is both a rotorcraft and fixed-wing pilot. He is a graduate of the Robinson Safety Course and founder of the 2000-member Robinson Helicopter Pilots Group on Linkedin.

“I’m excited to return to the aerospace industry again,” Gomez commented. “But what drew me to Rotorcorp was my experience working with their outstanding leadership team. The opportunity to join such a driven group of professionals — all committed to supporting those who fly my favorite helicopter (Robinson) — was impossible to pass up. I look forward to developing strategies and initiatives that will directly improve our capabilities to serve the small-fleet and independent operators of Robinson R22, R44, and R66 helicopters.” Gomez has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aircraft Engineering from Western Michigan University. His first two years of college were spent at Auburn University, explaining his passion for Auburn football and basketball. Mike is a go-to market strategy and sales process advisor to Atlanta Tech Village (4th largest tech startup hub in America), he is also the recipient of the 2010 Mero Atlanta Global Impact Award for the strategy work he performed for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and their priority to attract new international companies to Atlanta.

HeliService Expands Fleet with Purchase of New MD 530F Helicopter

MD Helicopters (MDH) announced that HeliService of Apopka, Fla., has signed a purchase agreement for an MD 530F helicopter. HeliService Powerline Solutions currently operates six MDH aircraft (MD 500D, MD 500E, MD 530F) that support construction, maintenance, inspection, and emergency response services in different sectors, including utility, energy, and construction.

 “The purchase of a new MD 530F supports the growth and modernization of our fleet, reducing risk, improving safety, and increasing operational performance,” said Ben Williams, president of HeliService Powerline Solutions. “This allows our helicopters to stay airborne completing mission-critical services our clients expect.” The new MD 530F helicopter will be delivered in 2023. 

The MD 530F helicopter is a five-blade, single RR250-C30 engine, four-passenger, single pilot capable, multi-purpose aircraft specifically designed to deliver increased operational capabilities, greater mission versatility, and superior performance. Outfitted with an advanced glass cockpit design, the 530F which supports maximum visibility for the pilot and co-pilot. Using the latest display technology, the pilot maintains the ability to manage navigation, communication, and aircraft systems. 

HeliService’s 530F will also come equipped with specialized mission equipment that includes a Recoil auxiliary tank, wire strike protection, and an OnBoard dual cargo hook. 

GLOBAL PARTS, INC. IS NOW
VSE AVIATION

As of December 5, 2022, Global Parts, Inc. (Global Parts) has merged with its corporate affiliate VSE Aviation, Inc., a Florida corporation, and has become part of the VSE Aviation, Inc. entity. The company said it will continue to operate the business with the same structure, officers, personnel, account information, quality systems, FAA and EASA certifications and policies and procedures.

New Mechanic Figures Trending in Right Direction, But Major Workforce Shortage Still Looms, ATEC Pipeline Report Finds

A healthy but expected increase in newly certificated mechanics last year did not offset momentum lost during the pandemic, leaving the new-technician pipeline at least 20 percent below the levels needed to meet rising demand across civil aviation, the latest Aviation Technical Education Council (ATEC) Pipeline Report concludes.

The latest edition of the Pipeline Report, produced annually to chart U.S. airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic workforce trends, found that 6,929 individuals obtained their FAA mechanic certificate in 2021—a 33 percent increase from the previous year. While the jump was the biggest in recent history, the increase left the total number of new mechanics short of 2019 levels and did not make up for the previous year’s 30 percent drop in certifications.

Considering the significant decline, ATEC estimates that the pandemic cost industry 5,000 new mechanics.

The global aviation maintenance industry was facing a shortage of certified mechanics before the pandemic, and the U.S. market was no exception. The downturn’s ramifications mean meeting demand now will be even more challenging.

“The number of prospects in the mechanic pipeline needs to grow by at least 20 percent to meet industry’s needs,” said ATEC President and WSU Tech Aviation Program Dean James Hall. “National enrollment at A&P schools is only growing at about 2 percent per year, so we have a lot of work to do.”

The council has several initiatives focused on spreading awareness and funneling more students into A&P programs. “The ATEC community is committed to getting more future mechanics into that pipeline,” said Hall. “The vast majority of the council’s planned activities for the coming year are focused on increasing awareness and removing pathway bottlenecks.”

Much of that effort is being driven through Choose Aerospace, an ATEC-backed non-profit that is deploying aviation curriculum into high schools across the country. The initiative is focused on getting students on an earlier path to mechanic certification, while building pipelines directly into A&P programs.

Other trends noted in the report:

  • Repair stations hired the most new mechanics, scooping up 31 percent of all aviation-employed A&P graduates, followed by regional airlines at 17 percent. Major passenger airlines came in third, but they are the fastest growing aviation employer segment for new mechanic entrants.
  • Last year, major passenger and cargo airlines combined to hire 25% of all A&P gradates, up from 15 percent in 2020. If this keeps up, it will put more pressure on sources that traditionally feed skilled technicians to large carriers–notably repair stations and regional carriers—to fill open positions.
  • AMTS continue to increase their market share of mechanic production—and by extension their importance in helping industry meet demand. Last year, 67 out of every 100 new mechanics went through A&P school. The other 14 came from military and 19 from civilian work experience.
  • Females make up 2.63 percent of the population, a number that is trending up, but only slightly. One positive sign is that 9 percent of all new A&P graduates last year were female.

Download the 2022 Pipeline Report & Aviation Maintenance Technician School Directory at www.atec-amt.org/pipeline-report.

TACG Has Added a New Human Factors Trainer Recurrent Course

Dr. Bob Baron and The Aviation Consulting Group announced a brand new course for Human Factors Instructors.

This Human Factors Trainer Recurrent course is appropriate for HF trainers who need refresher training (something that should typically be done every two years). Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be up-to-date on HF topics and course development/delivery methodologies.

Full course information can be viewed at https://www.tacgworldwide.com/Human-Factors/HF-Trainer-Recurrent.

Helicopter Pioneer Frank Robinson Has Died

On November 12, 2022 Robinson Helicopter Company bid a final farewell to its founder, Frank Robinson. Robinson, 92, passed away peacefully at his Rolling Hills, California home.

One of the most recognizable names in the helicopter industry, Frank Robinson was a pioneer, not driven by reward or accolades but by a vision that redefined the industry and changed general aviation.

Robinson will be remembered for the design and manufacture of the R22, R44, and R66 model helicopters. Known for their simplicity and reliability, the popular helicopters have a distinct profile and can be spotted easily and frequently all over the world.

Robinson’s fascination with helicopters began in 1939, at age nine, when he saw a picture in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer of Igor Sikorsky hovering his VS-300 helicopter, an image that captivated Robinson and set the course for his life’s work.

He earned a BSME degree from the University of Washington, later attending Wichita State University’s graduate aeronautical engineering school. His career began in the late ‘50s with Cessna and continued through the ‘60s working for many leading aerospace companies, including Bell and Hughes. In 1973, at age forty-three, unable to interest any of his employers in the idea for a simple, personal helicopter, he resigned from his job at Hughes and founded Robinson Helicopter Company in his Palos Verdes, California home. Six years later, defying critics and overcoming enormous obstacles, Robinson was granted FAA certification for his two-place, piston powered R22 helicopter. The unknown helicopter company delivered its first production R22 in October 1979. By 1989, the R22 had gained a foothold in general aviation, opening a previously untapped market for private helicopter ownership.

In the early ‘90s, realizing the potential for a light mid-size helicopter, Robinson introduced the four-place piston powered R44. Orders for the R44 quickly piled-up and the company became a recognized player in the aviation industry. In 2010, Robinson once again expanded his line with the five-place, turbine powered R66.

Robinson’s relentless determination earned him the respect of both colleagues and competitors. Affectionately called a rock star in certain aviation circles, Robinson retired in 2010 at age 80.

The list of awards and honors bestowed on Robinson is long.  Most notable:

2013      Daniel Guggenheim Medal – AHS International

2011      Lifetime Aviation Engineering Award – Living Legends of Aviation

2010      Cierve Lecturer – Royal Aeronautical Society

2011      Inducted into the U.S. National Academy of Engineering

2004      Howard Hughes Memorial Award – So. California Aeronautic Association

2000      Named Laurels Hall of Fame Legend – Aviation Week & Space Technology

1997      The Doolittle Award – Society of Experimental Test Pilots

1992      Laurels Award – Aviation Week & Space Technology

1991 & 1990      Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy – American Helicopter Society

Today, the company continues under the leadership of Frank’s son, Kurt Robinson and, to date, has delivered over 13,000 helicopters worldwide.

Michael Damiana Joins MicroCare; Will Lead Global Sourcing Efforts

MicroCare announced that Michael Damiana has been appointed the director of Global Supply Chain for MicroCare. Damiana comes to MicroCare with more than 20 years of experience in sourcing and supply chain management.

In his new role, Damiana will drive operational excellence by developing and executing a company-wide strategy focused on procuring services, raw materials and finished good supplies to ensure adequacy of manufacturing process and timely customer response on a global scale. 

“We’re very excited to have Mike on the MicroCare team,” announced John Stardellis, MicroCare chief financial officer. “MicroCare is growing globally and Mike is going to be focused on integrating our supply chain with our four logistics centers and our evolving production needs.”

Prior to MicroCare, Damiana held senior sourcing management positions at Ikonisys, Medtronic, Hobson & Motzer, and most recently as Procurement and Lean Programs manager at Okay Industries.  

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biological Sciences from Central Connecticut State University and is PMP (Project Management Professional) certified.

“I’m ready for new challenges and new opportunities,” Damiana said. “I’m really looking forward to making significant contributions to the MicroCare team as the company adds new products, new customers and reaches into new industries.”