Page 27 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2019 Online Magazine

[ MAINTENANCE REPAIR OVERHAUL ]
high quality, responsive and cost-effective MRO
solutions in close proximity to their locations,”
he adds.

APS is the only MRO in the Americas and Asia
with full 568F propeller blade capabilities to
include proprietary compression wrap during
major inspections. “It is a significant license,”
says Chris Hutchings, APS Director of Market
Development. “Having a facility in the Asia
Pacific region, in a region that is as central as
Kuala Lumpur, will be especially beneficial. The
partnership with Skyways Technics is a very
natural fit for us; they really have their ears to
the ground when it comes to the requirements
in the region.”
In April this year, APS signed a five-year contract with the Brazilian
An ideal location and a partnership with a com- Army to overhaul approximately 300 Airbus Helicopter main and tail
pany that is entrenched in the region aren’t the rotor servo actuators for Fennec AS350/550 and Panther AS365
only reasons why Boggan believes that APS aircraft. The Brazilian Army fleet, which comprises 97 helicopters,
can make major inroads into the Asia Pacific including 34 Panther AS365, 35 Fennec AS350/550, 4 Black Hawk
market. “Our 568F license is a very big factor S70, 8 Cougar AS532 and 16 Super Puma H225M, is the largest
for us; no competitor has the proprietary capa- fleet of helicopters among all Latin America countries for both civil
bilities or information that we have to perform and military operators. It was in 2017 that APS Brazil expanded its
these specialized, safety critical repairs. We portfolio to include helicopter servo actuators; the company also
pride ourselves on our OEM alignment and made significant investments in new test equipment, tools, parts
we work with them constantly to develop new provisioning, as well as technician training to support the civil and
repairs which extend the life of blades and military helicopter markets. APS President and CEO Dan Colbert
other major components. That helps operators is glad that the move has paid dividends.
reduce maintenance costs.”
“The Brazilian Army deal is a multi-million-dollar contract that
A History of Growth gives APS Brazil more opportunities to expand its portfolio and
In 2015, the company relocated to a 46,000 strengthen its presence in South America,” says Colbert. “We’re
square foot facility in Lake Zurich, IL from its proud of APS Brazil’s reputation as a world class MRO organization
longtime location in Wheeling, IL. A year later and this significant achievement on behalf of Airbus Helicopter and
APS opened its Brazil facility in Atibaia, Sao Collins Aerospace is a major milestone for the business.”
Paulo, about 90 kilometers away from Sao
Paulo’s international airport and less than 60 With the military side of the company’s business flourishing, Boggan
kilometers from Viracopos, a major hub for says that he has had to move staff from the general aviation side
the region’s largest ATR operator, Azul. The of the business. According to APS Brazil General Manager Fabio
20,000 square feet facility was previously Renato Rossi do Nascimento, the company is now looking for
owned by UTC Aerospace Systems, now opportunities with the Brazilian Air Force and Brazilian Navy,
Collins Aerospace. which together have combined fleets of approximately 40 Airbus
Helicopter Squirrel AS350 aircraft. The company currently also
“WE HAVE A UNIQUE SET OF supports the country’s largest FBOs, including Helibras, Leonardo
CAPABILITIES THERE TO PERFORM Helicopter, Helisul, Helipark, Helicidade, Líder, Icon, Claro, Copters,
DIFFERENT KINDS OF REPAIRS, Fênix and Rotors.
SUCH AS HELICOPTER ACTUATORS Further Expansion on the Horizon
AND COMPOSITE REPAIRS. WE Even as the company works to get its proposed facility in Kuala
ARE CURRENTLY THE ONLY MRO Lumpur up and running, officials are already thinking about the road
AUTHORIZED FOR LEVEL III REPAIRS ahead. According to Hutchings, “acquisitions that make sense” will
also be a part of APS’ growth strategy.
IN BRAZIL FOR AW109, SQUIRREL/
FENNEC AND DAUPHIN/PANTHER “The company is definitely going to be a lot bigger in five years,”
HELICOPTER ACTUATORS.” says Hutchings. “I see a more comprehensive company, one having
says Boggan multiple products that are aligned within the turboprop market, be it
ATRs or legacy aircraft. We are already doing a lot, but we will be in
a position to offer much more in terms of support to our customers.”

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