Samantha Cartaino

Arizona-based Able Aerospace Services (Booth C5839) has recently launched component MRO support for the Bell 505, in addition to its full capabilities for the Bell 429. The Textron company began providing services for these aircraft in a limited capacity last year﻿ but now offers hangar maintenance, component support and exchanges, and upgrades, among others.

 


For the Bell 429 and 505, Able Aerospace offers the same kits as Bell Helicopter, which includes warranty work. The services also encompass exchanges of dynamic components such as rotor hubs, masts, transmissions, and gearboxes for the 505. The company further produces several replacement parts. Members of Bell’s Customer Advantage Plan (CAP), which offers fixed cost-per-flight-hour services, receive rapid repair services and have priority access to Able’s inventory for component services.

 


“We like to make sure that we are staying current with our customer base,” Able Aerospace general manager Gabriel Massey told AIN. “That means being able to support [Bell’s] newest products, not just its legacy products. We always want to watch products that are coming out and make sure we start offering those capabilities.”

 


According to Massey, the company cites several market trends, such as steady <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-02-01/revenues-civil-deliveries-rise-bell-helicopter">demand</a> for the 505 and Bell customers’ growing desire for a full maintenance plan, for the rollout of its new capabilities. To prepare for these expanded services, members of the Able Aerospace maintenance team went to one of Bell’s facilities for training, and a Bell representative visited Able to conduct a broad training class. The company also invested roughly $1 million into tooling machines for the 429 and 505, which includes hand and support tools.

 


“These investments will support other products as well,” Massey said. “We’re a multi-OEM, so we’re thinking broadly.”

 


Massey said that the company is also investing time in its international growth. Able Aerospace holds certifications from the FAA, EASA, China's CAAC, Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and others. Over the past few years, the company has been partnering with Bell and Textron facilities around the world to position itself as an available maintenance provider.

 


“We’ve been strategically partnering with both Textron facilities and third parties in different areas in the world, such as Europe or Australia, where we establish a strong relationship with someone there and they represent our interests, products, and services in those regions,” Massey told AIN. “This way, customers all over the world can gain quick access to our different products.”

 


Regarding current market trends, Massey said he has seen flight hours rise across multiple helicopter sectors in 2018. He notes that he has seen more operators moving away from conducting their own aircraft maintenance and are instead looking toward third-party MROs to complete heavy maintenance and component overhauls.

 


Able Aerospace continues to offer maintenance services and component exchange for fixed-wing aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas, as well as helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, Sikorsky, Bell, and other manufacturers.

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