G3 Systems has recently completed its first field service visit to British International Helicopters (BIH) at Mount Pleasant Airfield in the Falkland Islands. The purpose of the visit was to provide condition assessment surveys and servicing of essential Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for two Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopters based on the Islands.
BIH, the largest UK-owned helicopter operator, works on behalf of the UK MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support department to provide search and rescue support to the British Forces South Atlantic Islands operations. BIH operates two AW189s in the Search and Rescue role and two S61N Support Helicopters on the Islands.
The SAR service is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and carries out all-weather search and rescue, helicopter emergency medical services, rescue hoist operations, passenger and cargo transfers and night vision imaging, in extremely challenging environmental conditions. The Support Helicopter Service provides the military garrison with helicopter transportation of both personnel and equipment throughout the Islands.
Maintenance, logistics and operations for the Helicopters are managed by BIH, who contracted G3 Systems to provide on-site field-based maintenance and servicing support for the GSE. G3 Systems conducted a condition assessment of each piece of equipment before undertaking a full service as part of the equipment maintenance scheduling.
Tools and necessary spare parts were shipped to the Falkland Islands prior to the departure of the G3 Systems Field Service Engineer. Upon arrival and after completing a mandatory CV-19 quarantine, the G3 Systems Engineer set about locating, assessing, and servicing the equipment in accordance with the OEM’s approved technical manuals. The GSE includes three New Holland tractors, towbars, Ground Power Units and testing systems, hydraulic jacks and pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, air compressors, and hangar floor scrubbers.
A servicing schedule has now been developed and agreed with BIH, and further visits are planned to maintain the operational effectiveness and safety of the GSE in the future.
