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Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – North America (“HS-NA”),one of the world’s leading providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul services has completed the successful delivery of a fully refurbished AS332L-1 helicopter to Rainier Heli-Lift Inc.
Last November, HS-NA was provided with the unique opportunity to restore an AS332L-1 Super Puma that had been damaged during the tsunami which hit Japan in 2011. Rainier Heli-Lift Inc. purchased the aircraft shortly after the incident, and decided to restore it to service by having HS-NA perform a complete overhaul on the aircraft.
“The decision to make this MRO agreement with Vector was based on the outstanding support they have provided other operators, and the timing of this project aligned well with Vector’s new AS322L-1 capabilities,” stated Richard “Lash” Lerew, executive VP, Rainier Heli International. “We were extremely pleased to receive the finished project in late December 2013, and the aircraft is now in full service.”
HS-NA performed a number of MRO operations on the aircraft including a complete airframe re-wire, a significant accomplishment requiring over 100KMs of wire. A complete 7,500 hour airframe inspection and an internal and external paint job were also performed. Vector HS-NA also performed two main landing gear fitting changes with the assistance of specialists from Airbus Helicopters, who spent five weeks working with Vector Aerospace’s technicians to help them achieve this complex repair within the tight project delivery schedule.
“Access to the unique Super Puma market has greatly improved our ability to react quickly to customer requirements,” stated Elvis Moniz, vice president of operations at HS-NA’s Langley facility. “Vector has positioned itself in the Super Puma market as a center of excellence for MRO activities in a short amount of time, having processed major inspections on nine Super Pumas this past year.”
