Safran Signs By-the-hour Support Contract with State Grid General Aviation Company

Safran Helicopter Engines signs a Support-By-Hour (SBH®) contract with State Grid General Aviation Company (SGGAC), covering its H215 and H225 fleets. This contract formalizes a long-term MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and service agreement supporting a total of 4 Makila engines. The contract also includes the renewal of SBH® support for 14 Arriel 2D engines powering the operator’s fleet of 13 H125 helicopters.

Based in China, SGGAC — a wholly owned subsidiary of the world's largest utility company, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) — is mainly responsible for the air construction and maintenance of extra-high voltage and ultra-high voltage power networks and is one of Safran Helicopter Engines’ important customers in China. It currently operates a fleet of 33 helicopters in total and is the largest operator of H125 and its engine, Arriel 2D, in Asia, as well as the launch customer of the H215 in China.

Bernard Plaza, Safran Helicopter Engines, China CEO, says, “We are proud that SGGAC has renewed its confidence in Safran Helicopter Engines and its SBH® support contract, and we look forward to delivering them world-class services and supporting them in their most demanding missions.”

SBH® is Safran Helicopter Engines’ support-by-the-hour program. It makes engine operating costs predictable, eliminates cash peaks, and allows flexibility for scheduled and unscheduled MRO coverage. It now covers 50% of Safran Helicopter Engines’ customer turbines’ flying hours.

SBH® and health monitoring are part of EngineLife® services, Safran’s range of solutions for helicopter engines.