Airbus Helicopters' Progressive Blade Repair Center in North America Unveiled
Airbus Helicopters Boosts Rotor Blade Repair Capabilities in the U.S.
Airbus Helicopters is stepping up its game in the U.S. and Canada, responding to customer feedback and enhancing its offerings. As part of this commitment, the company is investing in expanding its Blade Shop, aiming to meet growing demand and reduce turnaround time.
The meticulous approach to rotor blade repair at Airbus Helicopters' Blade Shop involves a comprehensive, hand-performed process that combines strength, precision, and surgical attention to detail. Technicians first conduct thorough inspections and careful disassembly of the blades. They then precisely remove damage and perform expert bonding repairs. This is followed by the application of primer, body filler, and a flawless topcoat. Each blade undergoes static balancing, with dynamic balancing performed at specialized facilities if necessary. The process concludes with rigorous final inspections to ensure every repaired blade meets the highest quality and safety standards.
Key elements of this approach include hand-performed work requiring precision and strength, complete restoration of blade integrity for safety and reliability, and detailed steps including inspection, disassembly, damage removal, bonding, surface finishing, static balancing, and final inspections.
Airbus Helicopters repairs an average of 1,200 rotor blades annually for U.S. and Canadian Airbus customers at their Blade Shop facility. To accommodate this demand, the Blade Shop is expanding, supported by a growing workforce of nearly 40 highly skilled technicians. The strategic investment includes new tools, relocation of the Blade Shop to a larger facility, and upgraded equipment.
The expanded Blade Shop is set to be fully operational by mid-2026. The goal is to increase local repair volumes by 30% and reduce Turn-Around-Time (TAT) by 50% by 2028.
"The Blade Shop at Airbus Helicopters is a hub of current excellence and a cornerstone of future innovation," says a spokesperson for Airbus Helicopters. "It's a place where technicians rely extensively on their sense of touch, dealing with tolerances as small as one-millimeter-thick fiberglass. Our technicians are the best in the business, with one-third having about 20 years of experience, one-third having five to 19 years, and one-third having less than three years of experience."
To showcase the precision involved in blade repair, Airbus Helicopters has released a video titled "Day in the Life of a Blade Tech". The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Blade Shop and the intricate art form of rotor blade repair.
The Blade Shop at Airbus Helicopters is not just a workshop; it's a dynamic career path within a world-leading aerospace company. With a focus on customer care, the company aims to provide the highest level of service in the customer's own backyard.
- Airbus Helicopters, a leading player in the aerospace industry, is bolstering its finance capabilities by investing in expanding its Blade Shop, a critical facility in the U.S., to accommodate the growing demand for rotor blade repairs in the finance sector.
- As a testament to the precision and innovation in technology that sets Airbus Helicopters apart, the company is harnessing its resources to streamline rotor blade repair processes, aiming to increase local repair volumes by 30% and reduce Turn-Around-Time (TAT) by 50% in the finance and technology-driven aerospace market.
