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CASA 21G Approved – Production Certificate

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CASA Part 145 Approved

On the 28th February during the Avalon Airshow, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved Australian Aerospace Engineering Pty Ltd (AAE) as a Part 145 helicopter MRO organisation. This approval is a significant step beyond the CASA 1988 CAR30 regulations, demanding uncompromising quality, competency and attention to detail across all facets of the business. AAE is only the second company in Australia to be recognised as compliant to Part 145 for helicopter MRO, and this feat was recognised personally by Defence Minister Marise Payne who congratulated the team at AAE’s stand.

Director and CEO Colin Johnston said “This is a significant milestone for the company that will provide assurance to both Defence and industry that our resolve is to provide the best MRO service in the country”. We now have the highest level of certification possible for helicopter MRO in Australia, Colin said.

Defence Minister Marise Payne congratulates the AAE team during the Avalon Airshow.

AAE was exhibiting at Avalon within the NSW Industry stand, helping to promote visibility and credibility of the strong regional aerospace capabilities in NSW. Industry Minister Niall Blair recently launched a new Defence industry initiative, stating “This detailed strategy will provide a coordinated, whole of government approach to prioritise the defence sector as a key driver of growth and innovation across industry, especially in regional NSW”. AAE is looking to partner with this vision and connect with the many exciting defence programs that are in progress.

During the Avalon Airshow AAE also partook in the Innovation Pitchfest forum and Aerospace Environmental Working Group (AEWG) conference. Engineering and Sales manager, Viv Johnston presented at both events on ‘Mission Specific’ composite main rotor blades, and was awarded the Best Presenter for the Pitchfest. “The Pitchfest and AEWG conference were valuable forums to voice our ideas on blades for manned and unmanned rotary wing platforms. We are now in constructive and promising discussions with a number of companies on furthering these ideas into viable technologies,” said Viv. Congratulations to Steven Weiderman from the University of Adelaide for winning the ‘Best Overall Presentation’ on Nature’s Drones, and Deanne Watkins from StopRotor Technology who won the ‘Best Innovation – Aerospace’ award.

The Australian Defence Magazine has issued an article on AAE’s achievements during the Avalon Airshow in Issue 435.

For further information on AAE’s MRO certifications and service offerings, please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or email adam@austaerospace.com.

Manufacturing Services

To compliment Australian Aerospace Engineering’s (AAE) major structural repair and MRO service offering, the company is now providing low volume manufacturing services to Defence and industry. Leveraging the company’s established quality control systems, along with its extensive milling, turning, sheet metal and composite manufacturing capabilities, AAE can offer a specialised manufacturing service.

“Typically we see requirements for a low volume number of parts to be made in accordance with approved data, typically from a Part 21M design organisation,” said Engineering Manager Adam Johnston. “The design data for aviation related products normally has tight tolerances and unique material specifications. Our capability, experience and attention to detail provides the best fit for low volume, high quality output. We always work closely with the end user and the design organisation to deliver the most economic and timely manufacturing service possible,” said Adam.

Demand has driven the company to pursue CASA Part 21G approval which will allow the certification of one-off manufactured aeronautical parts. The pursuit of this certification will be part of a much larger effort to elevate the company’s accreditations, and estimated achievement is for the 2nd Quarter 2017.

“Interestingly we have also seen demand for our manufacturing services from the Land space, and we are hopeful that some of these opportunities will eventuate in the near future. In the mean time we will continue to focus on the Defence and industry aerospace markets which have already been fruitful,” said Colin.

For further information, please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or adam@austaerospace.com

MRO Service Offerings

Australian Aerospace Engineering (AAE) was first established to provide maintenance and lease support for the company’s own Bell light and medium aircraft. The first helicopter was purchased in 1988 and since that time the company has accrued considerable experience in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities and specialises in heavy maintenance, major structural repairs and replacements. AAE is now offering these services to helicopter operators and maintainers across the Australasia region.

“We are a private company with a diverse range of capabilities, highly trained employees and a dedication to providing customers with a premier MRO service,” said Managing Director and CEO, Colin Johnston. “The company has traditionally supported lessees of company aircraft, but we recognise a need to support the Bell light and medium helicopters in our region and that is a strategic part of our growth plan.”

“With the installation of our Bell 206A/B/L series fuselage fixture we can repair or replace the roof shell, lower forward and aft shell, boot floor, baggage wall, seat panels, and more,” said Colin Johnston. “We are also equipped to carry out major composite repairs and replacements and we also stock a large supply of composite repair materials. In some instances we can perform field repairs if preferred by the customer.”

AAE operates under CAR30 with Certificate of Approval C604967, which allows the company to carry out works on all Bell light and medium series aircraft. The LAME staff are Bell Helicopter trained in field maintenance, component overhaul and composite repair (including main rotor blade repair).

Colin said that central to the company’s direction is the expansion into a new facility at Albury airport, the construction of which is scheduled for commencement in April 2015. “This first class facility will be equipped especially for comprehensive support of the Bell light and medium series aircraft in our region,” said Colin.

For further information on AAE’s services please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or email adam@austaerospace.com.

Bell 206A/B/L Series Fuselage Fixture Installed

In December 2014 Australian Aerospace Engineering installed and aligned a Bell 206A/B/L series fuselage fixture using a Faro Laser Tracker. The fuselage fixture allows the company to carry out major structural repairs and replacements on the Bell JetRanger and LongRanger aircraft.

Engineering Manager, Adam Johnston said that many older JetRanger and LongRanger airframes are in need of major structural works, and operators now have an economic option to extend the service life of these airframes.

“We are really excited to have the capability to carry out major structural repairs and Life Extension Programs on light Bell aircraft. This is something that we believe will see increasing demand over the coming years,” Adam said.

Adam said that the fixture will allow the company to change the roof shell, engine frame, baggage wall and other structurally critical components whilst ensuring drivetrain alignment.

AAE is a privately owned company with a 25 year history working with helicopters in Australia. The company offers dedicated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Bell light and medium series aircraft and specialises in heavy maintenance and helicopter airframe, tailboom and composite structures.

AAE operates from a comprehensively equipped hangar just outside of Albury NSW, but is expanding into a new 2000 sq.m facility at Albury Airport. Construction of the new facility is scheduled for commencement in April 2015.

“The light Bell fixture is the first step to providing industry with an MRO that can address major structural problems and we are excited to announce that the company has also prepared for installation a Bell 206A/B tailboom fixture and a Bell 205A-1/212/412/UH-1H fuselage fixture. These will be surveyed and aligned at our new facility” Adam said.

For further information, please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or adam@austaerospace.com