Las Vegas, NV - Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America today received the certificate with full approval as a Eurocopter-qualified service center for the AS332 helicopter family.
Presented at the Heli-Expo 2013 industry show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the certification includes O&I and I+ level airframe servicing, and allows Vector to perform major inspections, upgrades and retrofits on all AS332 Super Puma models. The primary focus will be on helicopters based in North America and registered by the Federal Aviation Administration.
This approval was achieved less than one year after the certification process start-up, and was performed with the full support of Eurocopter – which is Vector Aerospace’s sister company. It was presented at Heli-Expo 2013 by Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling to Declan O’Shea, the President and CEO of Vector Aerospace.
“The approval positions Vector as a key player for Super Puma support worldwide, and enables us to open new service markets,” explained O’Shea. “It is combined with the increasing range of Super Puma family supplemental type certificate capabilities developed by Vector, and will be complemented by the upcoming service center approval of our Vector UK operation for the Super Puma family.”
In parallel to receiving the North American service center approval, Vector started its program of retrofitting and updating Super Puma helicopters with the overhaul and modification of rotorcraft at the company’s operation in Langley, British Columbia, Canada for two different customers. Vector has completed five aircraft to date, with the first – a Super Puma AS332L1 – provided to Rainer Heli International. The remaining four were delivered to Vector Financial Services in utility configurations, and have become part of a fleet available for lease to utility operators around the globe.
“Vector’s quick turnaround time, extensive capabilities and experience on medium and heavy helicopters were the leading factors that solidified Eurocopter’s decision to provide Vector with this approval,” Bertling said. “It further strengthens Eurocopter’s worldwide repair network, providing our customers with additional approved solutions to service their fleets.”
About Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com)
Vector Aerospace is a global provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Through facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, South Africa, and Kenya Vector provides services to commercial and military customers for gas turbine engines, components and helicopter airframes. Vector’s customer-focused team includes over 2,800 members.
About Eurocopter (www.eurocopter.com)
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 38 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.
