Samantha Cartaino

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed deals with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and Rainier Heli International, who are both owned by the Halvorson family, for support-by-hour (SBH) contracts. These contracts permit a seven-year MRO agreement that supports 16 Arriel 2D engines for Papillon, with an additional three engines added over the next two months, and six engines for Rainier, with one additional engine this spring. Ultimately, each contract covers engines powering the operators’ Airbus H125 and H130 fleets.

 


The SBH program is defined as a “pay as you fly” service. It provides financial stability through a process of predicting through-life scheduled and unscheduled maintenance costs. It also improves cash flow based on a fixed-cost, per-engine flight hour.

 


“Papillon, Rainier, and Safran Helicopter Engines USA have been working towards this mutual goal for a very long time and we are pleased to have finalized this agreement that will be a benefit to both parties,” said Lon Halvorson, principal for Papillon Airways and president and CEO of Rainier Heli International.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.