CHC Uses Aircraft Orders to Build Maintenance Capability

CHC Helicopter Corp. is using its latest orders for new aircraft as leverage to build the overhaul and maintenance capability of its Heli-One unit. The Vancouver, B.C. operator's worldwide helicopter support division has ordered 12 new S-92s and 13 new AW139s, many of which CHC says are committed to customer contracts. In exchange, Heli-One gains the right to complete post-delivery modifications on Sikorsky Aircraft S-76s owned or operated by CHC and third parties and overhaul and repair the main, tail and intermediate rotor transmissions of CHC S-92s. It also gains the right to complete post-delivery mods on CHC AgustaWestland AW139s. If Heli-One meets certain requirements, it could extend its completions and overhaul work to aircraft owned or operated by third parties and to CHC's GE CT7-8A (on the S-92) and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67Cs (on the AW139). For related news