Canadian rotorcraft support specialist Heli-One is making a first appearance at ILA to boost its business in Europe - and has landed a contract from the Slovenian police force.
Under the deal it will integrate communications equipment - specifically a Tetra radio - on a Eurocopter EC135 belonging to the law enforcement agency. The work will be carried out by avionics systems specialists from the maintenance, repair and overhaul operation Heli-One opened in Stavanger, Norway in August.
The EU is allocating 80% of funding for the project via its "special transit scheme", to ensure external border protection. Slovenia's EC135 is the third rotorcraft Heli-One has been contracted to upgrade under such an arrangement.
Owned by CHC Helicopter, Heli-One offers services spanning engine, structural, component, and avionics maintenance, and logistics on a range of Sikorsky, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland types. Marketing director Dave McGrath cites a "larger footprint" in Europe as a goal of the company. In addition to its Norwegian venture, it has opened a site in Rzeszów, Poland.
The S-76 and AS332 Super Puma are big drivers of Heli-One's volume. The rotorcraft it services tend to be used for search and rescue, emergency medical services or law enforcement, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department a client for AS332 overhaul. However, it also supports CHC's 300-strong fleet, almost exclusively deployed by customers in the oil and gas sector.
Source: Flight Daily News
