Volume 9 | October 2015 Q4

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SETTING THE STANDARD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE

Canadian DND renews T58 MRO contract with Vector Aerospace

“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 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.

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.

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Upcoming Tradeshows

MRO Asia-Pacific Singapore

HACVancouver, BC

NBAALas Vegas, Nevada

November 3-5

November 13-15

November 17-19

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 small-cabin 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 ramp-up 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.

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

Message from the President 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.

Vector Aerospace’s digital marketing activities continue to attract attention

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.”

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.”

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 OEM-authorized Turbomeca Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 repair center, having performed MRO for more than 1,400 Arriel engines since 1994.

Vector Aerospace renews PW127 agreement with Air Algérie

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 to support Anaheim PD AS350 B2 components

The Vector family welcomes its new CFO, Emmanuel BourgeaisEmmanuel 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.

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.

Vector Aerospace appoints new Sales Managers

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 has hired two new Regional Sales Managers to help the rotary-wing sales team grow the company’s business in both Asia and Europe.

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.

Vector Fleetlands inducts eight new apprentices

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.

Almondbank's new apprentice intake

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 Brisbane celebrates 3rd anniversaryVector 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 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 supporting the RAF’s big cat: Puma Mk2 maintenance and modification

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!

Vector’s Langley new facility coming together

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.

Air Show Atlantic returns

Vector's composites business takes off

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.

Apprentices build Almondbank facility 70th anniversary commemorative statue

“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 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.

Air Show Atlantic returns

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.

Vector exhibits at ALEA Expo 2015

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 (TB-MOPA) 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 promotes VMAX program at TBMOPA conference

Q3 2015 trade show round-upVector 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.

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)

SINDAG ES-A’s Clovis Martins, Sales & Service Manager

Viking All Operators Forum (L-R) ES-A’s Stephen Campbell, Service Center Manager (Calgary), and Barry Seddon, Sales and Service Manager

NBAA Regional Forum (L-R) ES-A's Jeff Holdridge, Director of Sales and Mike Dunham, Sales and Service Manager

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.

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.

Vector attends Europe's largest helicopter trade show