PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Erickson Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), a leading global provider of aviation services, is pleased to announce its new certification as a Bell Helicopter Certified Maintenance Center (CMC). The agreement officially adds Erickson to Bell Helicopter’s customer support network and authorizes Erickson to perform aircraft refurbishment and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Bell 214B and the Bell 214ST helicopters at all Erickson locations.
“The certification of Erickson Incorporated as a Bell Helicopter Maintenance Center, along with the certification of our airframe fixtures, enhances Erickson’s ability to support the Bell 214 community and highlights the strength of our relationship with Bell Helicopter,” said Vice President of Manufacturing and MRO, Kerry Jarandson.
Erickson has been awarded numerous MRO purchase orders for work on the Bell 214 including critical case and dynamic part repairs, dynamic component overhauls and major fuselage repairs. Bell Helicopter certified the Bell 214ST tail boom and the Bell 214B fuselage fixtures produced by Erickson in September of this year. These enhanced capabilities enable Erickson to provide maximum value to Bell 214 operators.
Erickson’s first Bell 214 airframe refurbishment in the newly certified fixture was a major fuselage repair for McDermott Aviation. John McDermott, of the largest privately owned and operated Heli-Aviation Company in Australia, said, “We are pleased to see the hard work and ingenuity Erickson is putting into this program. Their creativity drives needed change and supports the operators while keeping the Bell 214 a viable platform in the rotorcraft community.”
Erickson has recently received parts manufacturing approval (PMA) for Bell 214 parts from the Federal Aviation Administration. Under the agreement announced on February 9, 2015 between Bell Helicopter and Erickson, Erickson is licensed to use Bell Helicopter’s design data to produce functionally identical parts under PMA authority. Erickson owns and operates 12 Bell 214ST helicopters within its own fleet.
About Erickson
Erickson is a leading global provider of aviation services and operates, maintains and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport and place people and cargo around the world. The Company is self-reliant, multifaceted and operates in remote locations under challenging conditions specializing in Government Services, Manufacturing and MRO, and Commercial Services (comprised of firefighting, HVAC, power line, construction, timber harvesting, oil and gas and specialty lift). With roots dating back to 1960, Erickson operates a fleet of approximately 80 aircraft, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and operates in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Australia. For more information, please visit our new website at www.ericksonaviation.com.
