Aircraft's new HCare service soars aloft following takeoff
In the ever-evolving world of aviation, the need for modernization and upgrades is paramount. Airbus, a leading name in the industry, is spearheading this transformation by retrofitting and upgrading aircraft to provide mission-specific equipment, enhance safety, and modernize them.
One such instance is Swiss Helicopter's decision to upgrade the avionics systems of its H120s with modern, high-performing, digitally-connected systems. This move reflects the growing trend towards digital innovation in the helicopter sector.
Airbus has also introduced a shared-financing approach for the development of upgrades, offering attractive incentives to operators. This strategy has been well-received, as evidenced by Swiss Helicopter's decision to be the first civil-operations customer to take advantage of this avionic upgrade offer and the collaborative approach to developing and certifying this avionic upgrade for the H120.
The Airbus HCare offer provides a comprehensive portfolio of services focused on maximizing aircraft availability, reducing operating costs, and enhancing maintenance efficiency. Key features include tailored maintenance programs, predictive and condition-based maintenance using digital tools, rapid response technical support, and access to an integrated global network of service centres and experts.
The HCare In-Service package, in particular, is popular among customers. This package offers services tailored to individual operators to optimize fleet maintenance, use, and longevity. Several operators, including Dare County and a Private Business and Aviation launch customer, have signed on for Part Availability contracts under HCare In-Service. The Italian operator Trento Firefighters, which recently ordered two new H145 helicopters, will be covered under the HCare Initial package in the form of a Part Availability contract. Luxaviation Uzbekistan has also contracted the HCare Initial package for a newly-ordered H125.
The benefits for operators are numerous. They include increased operational availability through proactive maintenance and optimized scheduling, reduced downtime and costs by minimizing unscheduled repairs and leveraging predictive analytics, enhanced safety and reliability with Airbus-certified support and original parts, improved fleet management via digital monitoring and data services that provide actionable insights, and streamlined logistics and training support to keep crews and maintenance teams well-prepared.
The new HCare offer was launched to simplify support and services packages for individual customers. Operators can tailor the suite of services to their specific needs and choose the desired level of material management support. The HCare Store provides a platform for operators to order one-off services covering various areas such as Material Management, Helicopter Maintenance, Technical Support, Training & Flight Ops, and Connected Services.
Several helicopter operators have contracted the HCare Initial packages, which are dedicated to customers starting operations with a new Airbus helicopter. Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) aircraft and out-of-production legacy fleets (H120, Dauphin, Puma, and Gazelle) have specialized sets of packages: HCare First and HCare Classics. Helidax's fleet of 36 H120s has signed on for the HCare Classics package.
The new HCare offer has gained a lot of traction among helicopter operators due to Airbus's customer-centric approach. The integration of new technologies, such as autonomous flight systems and advanced avionics, complements HCare’s value proposition by enabling more efficient and safer operations.
In summary, Airbus HCare positions itself as a holistic, flexible service platform designed to meet modern helicopter operators' needs by combining advanced maintenance strategies, digital innovation, and worldwide support. The positive response from customers, as evidenced by sustained contract awards and service expansions, underscores the value that this integrated approach provides to the industry.
