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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 2207.PDF
Eurocopter leads rush into Russian helicopter market ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/MOSCOW EUROCOPTER HAS signed a further contract with the Russian emergencies ministry EMERCOM for one twin-turbo- shaft BK117, while US rival Bell is examining possible co-operative agreements to break into the Russian market. The Franco-German company already has a toe-hold in Russia with EMERCOM's current fleet of four BO 105 Super Fives, and the company is working on a trickle of other orders which it hopes to turn into a steadier flow. Eurocopter says that it is in " final negotiations" with private Russian company Sata over an initial order for one single-engined Ecureuil light helicopter, with die prospect of four or five follow-on orders. Once finalised, this will be Eurocopter's first contract with a purely private operator in the region. The first Ecureuil should be delivered in 1998, with succes sive orders expected at a rate of one a year. These helicopters will be used for transport and for public- service missions such as aerial observation and patrol. Eurocopter says that it is in fur ther promising negotiations with a potential customer in Yakutia, north-east Siberia, which is inter ested in the Ecureuil for emergen cy medical services and transport. The company stresses that it is deliberately steering away from competing with Russia's own manufacturing base for heavier helicopters. Major efforts are con centrated on operators in the oil, gas and mining fields of Siberia, which require smaller helicopters than those now in their ageing, domestically produced, fleets. US competitor Bell Helicopter Textron, which has yet to make a sale in the CIS, says that it views the market as a "longer-term" proposi tion. The existence of a competent domestic-helicopter industry and heavy import duties mean that co operative agreements may be the best way ahead, says Bell, which has requested information from com panies such as Kamov, Mil and Rostvertol. Deals could take the form of licensed production of Bell helicopters or components. J Atlantic investors plan fixed-based expansion US AVIATION-SERVICE company Atlantic Aviation has agreed to be acquired by the Legg Mason investment fund in a move designed to provide the back ing for ambitious expansion plans. The company, which employs about 500 people at five US fixed- base operations (FBOs) and a busi ness-aircraft maintenance and modification base at its Wilming ton, Delaware, headquarters, will continue to operate as Atlantic- Aviation. Founded in 192 7, it is one of the leading "heavy-metal" busi ness-jet maintenance companies. Chief executive Ben Waide says that the company went looking for investors. "We looked at the indus try consolidation and decided we had to grow or get out of the busi ness. If we wanted to grow, we could become part of something larger or secure the financing to get larger ourselves," he says, adding that the "value of the name" per suaded the company to look for backers to go it alone. Sales reached $73 million in 1996, but Waide is expecting "dou ble-digit" growth this year in all three of the company's business sectors: FBOs, maintenance, and fleet management. He plans to improve Atlantic Aviation's exist ing bases and acquire additional US FBOs. The company is also looking at Latin America, having recently set up a fuelling operation at Valencia, Venezuela, in a joint venture with Texaco. Legg Mason Merchant Banking manages a private fund with long- term investment goals, says Waide, and Atlantic Aviation is the firm's first foray into aviation. • US helicopter-service company Austin Jet has been sold to a group of US investors by its owner, UK- based Rene Charvillat. The $12 million deal will allow the Austin, Texas-based company to expand its maintenance, avionics installation and completion businesses. J Raytheon marks Bonanza's 50th anniversary with custom aircraft RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT HAS completed a cus tomised Beech Bonanza to celebrate the 50th anniver sary of its piston single, which has been in continuous production since 1947 - with total sales nearing 17,400 aircraft. The Bonanza B36TC has a special interior and extensive options, including AlliedSignal Bendix/King KFC-150 autopilot, KLN-90B global-positioning sys tem and a BFGoodrich WX-1000E Stormscope. NEWS IN BRIEF • NEW SWISS CENTRE Signature Flight Support and Zimex Aviation officially inaugurated their joint busi ness-aviation centre and flight-support operation at Zurich Airport, Switzerland on 22 August. The centre, which includes a 2,415m' (26,000ft2) maintenance han gar, is intended to offer sup port for every type of business aircraft. • TWO BELL 407s FOR INDIA Bell Helicopter Textron has sold two Model 407s to Pawan Hans, India's state- owned helicopter company, bringing to three the total number of 407s sold in India to date. New Delhi-based Span Air took delivery of the first Allison 250-C47-pow- ered aircraft in 1996. • DASSAULT CONTRACTS Dassault Aviation has signed an agreement with a second North American company for maintenance and servicing on its range of business jets. Garrett Aviation Services in Arizona will provide mainte nance and parts over six years on new Falcon 50EX, 2000, 900B and 900EX models through its new Total Aircraft Service Plan. Canadian Innotech Aviation recently also became a Falcon Factory authorised service centre. • ENGINE CERTIFICATED Pratt & Whitney Canada has received type certification from Transport Canada for its PT6B-37 turboshaft, which will power the Agusta Al 19 helicopter. • KAMAX DELIVERY Kaman Aerospace has deliv ered a K-MAX external lift helicopter to Bozeman, Montana-based Central Copters for use in logging operations in Montana and Idaho. The single-seat, sin gle-turbine intermeshing- rotor helicopter can lift a maximum load of 2,700kg. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 3 - 9 September 1997 23
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