Vol. 9 Q4 - Vector Aerospace

SETTING THE STANDARD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE
Take - Off
Volume 9 | October 2015 Q4
WWW.VECTORAEROSPACE.COM
Canadian DND renews T58 MRO
contract with Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace is delighted to announce that the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has chosen to retain Vector as its continuing
provider of all MRO services for the General Electric T58 engines powering Canada’s Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King maritime helicopter fleet.
“We are thrilled to have been re-selected by DND to be its sole T58
engine MRO provider,” said Paul Cockell, President, Vector Aerospace
Helicopter Services – North America. “We have been a proud supporter
of DND for over twenty consecutive years, consistently providing top
quality products on time and on budget.”
Vector previously held this contract with the DND from May 2005 to March 2014. When the contract went to tender after expiring, Vector bid for it
again, with the company’s superior quality, customer service and turn-around times convincing the DND to retain Vector for its T58 support.
Vector has been a registered overhaul facility for T58 and CT58 engines since 1976. Between 1996 and 2003, Vector was instrumental in
developing and implementing an upgrade program for 109 T58-GE-8F to -100 conversions for the DND.
The CH-124 Sea King fleet celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, and the fleet is finally due to be retired in 2018 following the entry into service
of the successor Sikorsky CH-148 (S-92) Cyclone maritime helicopter. Vector is currently conducting Assemble Inspection and Test (AIT) for
the GE CT7-8A7 engines which power the new CH-148 Cyclones. Vector also undertook AIT on the GE T700-T6A1 engines which power the
DND’s AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant (AW101) search and rescue helicopter fleet, and is now providing repair support for this engine
type.
Message from the President
As we enter the final quarter of this calendar year, I wanted to take
the opportunity to thank you for your business during the year to
date, and to look ahead to the remaining months of 2015.
The first nine months of 2015 have presented a mix of fortunes for
the industry, with the regional turboprop market remaining strong in
spite of the recent fall in oil prices and with the mid-size and smallcabin bizjet market enjoying a gradual recovery; at the same time,
however, the helicopter market has remained relatively quiet, due to
the retrenchment of the offshore transportation segment.
Vector Aerospace continues to invest in its global capabilities, with
work on our new Langley, BC facility and our new engine test cell in
Summerside, PE, proceeding apace. At the same time our recently
opened, state of the art Singapore facility has continued to rampup its support of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A turboprop,
and the process excellence activities at our French and UK facilities
continue to deliver strong returns for our customers.
Our 2,300 maintenance professionals continue to proudly embrace
the core values that have underpinned Vector’s continued success
over the years, namely strong customer focus, quality workmanship
and reliable responsiveness.
Vector’s sales and marketing teams have met with hundreds of our
customers at key industry trade shows over the past quarter, and
our sales professionals will be representing Vector at several major
events over the coming months, including the annual NBAA trade
show in mid-November, where we look forward to sharing with you
our latest MRO offerings.
Vector Aerospace’s digital marketing
activities continue to attract attention
Vector Aerospace continues to attract over 12,000 viewers
to our website each month, with more than 75% being new
visitors. We will be launching a redesigned website in the
coming weeks, which is intended to further enhance the level
of customer focus that we provide.
Our social media activities also remain highly popular, and at
the end of September our number of followers on LinkedIn
surpassed the 9,000 mark.
Upcoming Tradeshows
November 3-5
MRO Asia-Pacific
Singapore
November 13-15
HAC
Vancouver, BC
November 17-19
NBAA
Las Vegas, Nevada
Our recently unveiled VMAX pay-by-the-hour engine service plan
continues to receive positive customer feedback from JT15D bizjet
operators, and we are now developing additional targeted VMAX
service offerings for a range of market segments.
In closing, I would like to thank you once again for trusting Vector
Aerospace with your business over the past nine months, and I wish
you a successful final quarter of 2015.
I wish you all a joyful holiday season.
Declan O’Shea
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Vector Aerospace to support Anaheim PD AS350 B2 components
Vector Aerospace has signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Police Department, CA, USA, to provide
component MRO support for the agency’s two Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2 AStar airborne law enforcement
helicopters.
“This contract is another example of our excellence in nose-to-tail MRO support capabilities for AS350 series
aircraft, and we are pleased to have been selected to provide AS350 B2 components MRO support for the
Anaheim Police Department’s fleet,” said Paul Cockell, President, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services –
North America.
Vector Aerospace signs new 3-year engine MRO
agreement with Helicopter Transport Services
Vector Aerospace has signed a new three-year exclusive agreement with Helicopter
Transport Services (HTS) to provide MRO services for their Pratt & Whitney Canada
PT6T and Turbomeca Arriel 1 & 2 engines.
“HTS Canada’s top priority is to provide solutions for customer needs,” said Denis
Pilon, Chief Operations Officer at Helicopter Transport Services. “The decision to
sign this contract with Vector is based on their commitment to deliver high quality
service and their track record with the support provided to us on other platforms. We
are pleased to have Vector’s MRO support for our PT6T and Arriel 1 & 2 engines for
the next three years.”
Vector has been supporting the P&WC PT6T engine since 1988 as a Distributor &
Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) for repair and overhaul. Vector is also an OEMauthorized Turbomeca Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 repair center, having performed MRO for
more than 1,400 Arriel engines since 1994.
Vector Aerospace renews PW127G MRO agreement with Algerian MoD
Vector Aerospace has renewed its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G MRO contract with the Algerian
National Ministry of Defense (MDN) for another year.
The Algerian Air Force has operated five Airbus Defence and Space C295 military transport aircraft
powered by the PW127G since 2009. This renewed engine support contract follows on from an
agreement signed in 2014.
“We are proud to count MDN Algeria as part of our customer family,” commented Christian Venzal,
President & CEO of Vector Aerospace – France. “This agreement reinforces the Vector Aerospace
brand and bolsters our share of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 MRO market in Africa.”
Vector Aerospace renews PW127 agreement with Air Algérie
Air Algérie has demonstrated its confidence in the engine services received from Vector Aerospace by
signing a new one-year agreement for Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 MRO in support of its fleet of
ATR regional turboprops.
Air Algérie is now the biggest operator of ATR turboprops in Africa, flying 12 ATR 72-500s plus three
recently introduced ATR 72-600s. Both models are powered by the PW127, for which Vector is a
P&WC Designated Overhaul Facility (DOF).
Commenting on the new contract, Christian Venzal, President & CEO of Vector Aerospace – France
stated: “We are confident that our years of experience and success in providing all-inclusive engine
and accessory repair and overhaul services will enable us to assist Air Algérie in continually decreasing
their maintenance costs and securing the maximum availability of their fleet in the long term.”
The Vector family welcomes its new CFO, Emmanuel Bourgeais
Emmanuel Bourgeais has been appointed as Vector Aerospace’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO),
effective August 1st 2015. Emmanuel joined Airbus Helicopters in 2004 as Group Controller and was later
promoted to the position of Group Business Controller for Support & Services (S&S) in 2007. Since 2011,
he has been CFO of Airbus Helicopters Spain. Prior to joining Airbus Group, Emmanuel worked as a
consultant on various projects and Industries across Europe.
Emmanuel replaces Randy Levine, who has departed Vector after 11 years as CFO. We wish Randy all the
very best in his future endeavours, and welcome Emmanuel to our organization.
Vector Aerospace appoints new Sales Managers
Vector has hired two new Regional Sales Managers to help the rotary-wing sales team grow the company’s business in both Asia and Europe.
Lewis Ho – Regional Sales Manager, Asia:
Lewis was previously a Business Development
and Sales Director for UTC Aerospace Systems’
Aerostructures Division, selling reverse
thrusters, pylons and other polymer products
for commercial and military fixed-wing aircraft.
Lewis has a broad array of rotary-wing
experience and customer contacts throughout
the Asia region, and will be a tremendous asset
to the team.
Matjaz Zaccaria – Regional Sales
Manager, Europe: Matjaz joins Vector from
AgustaWestland Helicopters, where he was a
Customer Support and Service Manager. As
the key account manager for international and
European offshore operators such as Bristow
Helicopters and Bel Air Aviation, Matjaz
supported a number of high-profile AW139
operators, and also assisted with the entry into
service of the new AW189 super medium twin.
Matjaz brings with him a strong understanding
of customer requirements, significant operator contacts, and a
passion to help Vector achieve success in the European market.
Vector Fleetlands inducts eight new apprentices
Vector Aerospace’s Gosport, UK facility recently welcomed its latest intake of
apprentices. This year, our high quality apprenticeship scheme (which has been
running for over 50 years) attracted over 400 applicants!
The initial applicants were narrowed down to 24 who attended two assessment days,
where they were assessed in action. This also gave the apprentices a chance to see
what their careers at Vector would be like. From this process the final eight were
chosen and their journey with Vector Aerospace has now begun! On completion of
the three year course the apprentices will also achieve a level 3 NVQ qualification,
enabling them to become the technicians and managers of the future. We wish them
the best of success in their new roles.
Almondbank's new apprentice intake
Vector Aerospace’s Almondbank, UK facility took great pleasure in welcoming two new apprentices
this September. Alastair Ritchie and Logan Glen were selected from over 350 applicants.
Alastair is studying for an HNC while carrying out his three year apprenticeship in Mechanical
Engineering, while Logan is studying for an HND during the same apprenticeship program.
We welcome them both and wish them every success in their careers as the latest recruits to
Almondbank's long-standing apprenticeship scheme.
Members of Vector Aerospace’s Richmond and Langley,
BC, teams recently attended the British Columbia Institute
of Technology’s (BCIT) Industry Days, where aspiring
aerospace engineers and technicians gathered around to
hear about potential employment opportunities with Vector.
Vector supporting the RAF’s big cat:
Puma Mk2 maintenance and modification
Vector Aerospace is currently supplying contractor working parties (CWPs) in support of maintenance and
modification efforts on the UK Royal Air Force’s newly upgraded Puma HC Mk2 support helicopters at RAF
Benson. The work package being carried out is in support of Airbus Helicopters UK’s contract with the Puma
Project Team, which also includes CWPs from Airbus Helicopters Romania, thus demonstrating how elements
of the Airbus Helicopter Group can work together to provide effective customer solutions.
Ian Morris, Head of Airbus Helicopters UK’s Defence Business, commented: “With regard to the Vector work
at Benson, we are extremely pleased: you have sent us a really good bunch of very capable guys who are
producing excellent results. The same applies for those who are going through the training course at Oxford.”
Vector Brisbane celebrates 3rd anniversary
Vector Aerospace is celebrating the third anniversary of supporting operators in the
Asia-Pacific region from its engine MRO facility in Brisbane, Australia.
“Our Brisbane facility has evolved tremendously in the past three years, enjoying
unprecedented market share growth,” says Jeff Poirier, President of Vector Engine
Services – Atlantic. “Australia is a sophisticated aviation market and continues
to be an extremely important market for us in terms of its tremendous growth
opportunities. With the Brisbane facility, Vector has taken advantage of these
growth opportunities by offering operators throughout the region a variety of
services including field service and engine repairs on the Pratt & Whitney Canada
(P&WC) PT6A, JT15D, PW100, PW300 and PT6T engine series, as well as
complete overhaul and test capability for the PT6A.”
Vector purchased the Brisbane facility in 2012, the shop being appointed as a
P&WC authorized Designated Overhaul Facility (DOF) for the PT6A engine in
conjunction with its sale. The acquisition allowed Vector to increase its full range
of MRO service offerings to existing customers of the Brisbane shop, while also
significantly improving the service quality provided by the facility’s experienced
workforce to customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Operators in the region
have also benefited from the support of Vector’s Mobile Repair Team (MRT), which
is available to provide on-site repairs at customer locations as well as responsive
aircraft on ground (AOG) support.
Vector’s Langley new
facility coming together
Vector Aerospace is in the process of building a brand-new, 88,000 sq. ft. facility at
the Langley Regional Airport in BC. This facility will incorporate new avionics and
structures shops plus 65,000 sq. ft. of hangar space, all under one roof. As such, the
new building is designed to improve production efficiencies and work flow process,
by allowing Vector to bring together its Langley workforce – currently scattered
across multiple locations – in a single dedicated facility. The building will also feature
expanded engineering and STC development capabilities, a modernized paint facility
and collaborative work spaces.
Vector Aerospace looks forward to the opening of this new facility in the first quarter
of 2016, just in time to start off another year of growth, productivity and increased
product and service offerings. Our mission to ‘Set the Standard of Customer Service’
in the aerospace industry is consistently at the forefront of our mind, and we believe
that a modern, well-designed, professional facility is important to stand behind this
promise. We also recognize that our staff in Langley, BC have worked hard in recent
years and are well-deserving of a new and improved environment in which to work.
Stay tuned for more updates on the
progress of this new facility build,
opening date, and grand opening
celebration!
Air Show Atlantic returns
Excitement was definitely in the air during the August
21 - 23 weekend at Vector Aerospace’s Summerside,
PE facility. That’s because Air Show Atlantic was in
town putting on an amazing show at the Summerside
Airport, just down the road from Vector.
Vector was extremely proud to be the Presenting
Sponsor of Air Show Atlantic 2015, which returned to
Summerside after a two-year absence.
The air show was very successful, attracting more
than 10,000 spectators from across PEI and beyond.
The crowds were thrilled by the show both on the
ground and in the air, with demonstrations by the
Snowbirds, the SkyHawks, Yak Attack, and the Royal
Canadian Air Force’s awe-inspiring CF-18 Hornet.
The Hornet was one of the more extreme attractions,
ripping through the air at 600 miles per hour, though
it faced serious competition from the Shockwave jet
truck, which blasted along the runway at 350 miles
per hour, completing a quarter-mile strip in less than
seven seconds.
Vector's composites business takes off
Vector Aerospace’s UK-based component services team has
completed the first repeat order for its recently opened composites
facility at Almondbank, Perthshire. The work, which involved the
repair and reconditioning of a number of airstairs, was performed for
a major commercial aircraft OEM and completed in early August.
Mick O’Connor, Business Director at the Almondbank site,
commented: “When we built the facility it was initially to grow our
military component repair and overhaul business; however, we
knew that opportunities were available in the commercial sector.
Projects such as these airstairs will introduce us further to the civil
aviation market, where we believe we offer customers competitive
prices and outstanding quality.”
Vector Aerospace celebrates 15 years of Mobile Repair Team (MRT) activities
Vector Aerospace is celebrating 15 years of providing outstanding Mobile
Repair Team (MRT) support to fixed-wing operators through its Engine Services
– Atlantic team. Since the first service centre was opened in Dallas, TX, USA
in November 2000 with just two Field Service Representatives (FSRs), we now
have more than 10 locations worldwide and 32 dedicated, expert technicians.
These personnel are located across the globe, in the USA (California, Georgia,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and West Virginia), Canada,
the United Kingdom, Kenya, South Africa and Australia.
Our mobile repair teams are on call 24/7, 365 days a year, and are designed
around a ‘Quick Turn Around’ and ‘Travel Ready’ philosophy to support
our customers’ requirements and AOG engine support services. Vector
Aerospace’s Service Center Network has inventory specifically designed for
immediate response and AOG requirements, in order to keep engines on-wing
and reduce operators’ maintenance-related costs.
Vector Aerospace also has additional MRT teams operating from its divisions in
Gonesse, Paris, France and Fleetlands, Gosport, UK.
Apprentices build Almondbank facility 70th anniversary commemorative statue
Vector Aerospace’s Almondbank facility is proud to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year. To honor this milestone, we challenged our most
recent, valued apprentices to manufacture a commemorative statue to recognize our 70 years in operation at the site. This project was also
designed to further develop our apprentices’ skills in areas such as project management, effective communication and working as a cohesive
project team, together with engaging and collaborating with other teams and technicians across various departments.
“I was delighted when this group of
apprentices presented their initial
design proposals to our panel of judges.
The thoroughness, technical skills and
maturity demonstrated by each of them
was outstanding.”
Mick O’Connor, Component Services
Director
Vector promotes VMAX program at
TBMOPA conference
Jeff Holdridge (L), Director of sales, ES-A, and Mike Brown, Sales and
Service Manager for the Southeast USA region, ES-A, represented Vector
Aerospace at the 12th annual TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) Convention held in Charleston, SC earlier this month. Over 100 of
the sleek Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-powered single-engine turboprops
flew into Charleston for the event, representing nearly one-quarter of the
total North American TBM fleet. The 325 attendees – including approximately
150 TBM owners – were able to enjoy a variety of lectures, including a
presentation on the PT6A given by P&WC.
During the convention, Jeff and Mike took the opportunity to introduce
the new VMAX PT6A program, a service offering designed specifically for
Daher TBM aircraft operators globally. The VMAX PT6A program offers TBM
operators a pay-per-hour engine service plan that provides a long-term
engine maintenance expense guarantee.
Vector exhibits at ALEA Expo 2015
Vector Aerospace exhibited at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s
(ALEA) Annual Conference and Exposition again this year, the 2015 event
being held in Houston TX, during July 13-18th.
This Expo brings together pilots, tactical flight officers, administrators and
technicians from across North America to experience some of the best
classes and courses in their field.
Vector’s rotary-wing sales managers had a successful show, establishing new
relationships and discussing future MRO contracts, as well as connecting with
existing customers to discuss current and upcoming projects.
Q3 2015 trade show round-up
Vector Aerospace was active on the trade show circuit during
the third quarter of 2015, it’s ES-A team exhibiting at several
shows, including the Sindicato Nacional Das Empresas De
Aviacao Agricola (SINDAG) in Porto Alegre, Brazil; the 12th
Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and
Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo, Brazil; the NBAA Regional
Forums in Teterboro, NJ and St. Louis, Missouri; the AAAA
and AAA ANZAC Conference in Queenstown, New Zealand;
and the Viking All Operators Forum in Victoria, BC.
NBAA Regional Forum (L-R) ES-A’s
Jeff Holdridge, Director of Sales
and Paul Wolfe, Sales and Service
Manager
AAAA and AAA ANZAC
Conference (L-R) ES-A’s Matt
Dennington, General Manager of
Vector Australia and Simon Wilks,
Sales and Service Manager.
SINDAG ES-A’s Clovis Martins,
Sales & Service Manager
NBAA Regional Forum (L-R) ES-A's
Jeff Holdridge, Director of Sales and
Mike Dunham, Sales and Service
Manager
LABACE Samuel Laborao,
Regional Sales Manager Brazil
(HS-NA), Raj Rawana, Director
of Marketing & Communications,
Clovis Martins, Sales & Service
Manager (ES-A) and Jeff Holdridge,
Director of Sales (ES-A)
Viking All Operators Forum (L-R)
ES-A’s Stephen Campbell, Service
Center Manager (Calgary), and Barry
Seddon, Sales and Service Manager
Vector attends Europe's largest
helicopter trade show
In October Vector Aerospace attended Helitech,
Europe's largest helicopter trade show, which
was held in London, UK. Vector’s presence
highlighted its extensive range of modification and
upgrade packages offered to civilian rotorcraft
operators around the world, plus the broader
MRO capabilities of the entire Vector group. Our
sales team were able to meet with numerous
customers, both old and new, and various
opportunities were identified and discussed.
During this year’s LABACE event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Vector
Aerospace presented at the IV Brazil-Canada MRO Technology
Seminar organized by the Canadian Embassy. This year’s
LABACE show – held in late August – had fewer aircraft on
display than prior years, but despite feeling the country’s
current economic headwinds the Brazilian business aviation
community’s faith in a bright future remained undiminished.
Vector Aerospace was once again a proud Silver sponsor and
attendee of the 20th Annual SpeedNews Business & General
Aviation Industry conference, held last month in Los Angeles.
The conference was well-attended by aerospace experts from
the B&GA community, with representation from BAE Systems,
Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Embraer, Gulfstream Aerospace,
Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Snecma and Textron Aviation.