Vector Aerospace to Perform AS350 BA to B2 Conversion for Mercy Air South Africa
Richmond, BC – Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce it will be performing an Airbus Helicopters AS350 BA to B2 conversion for humanitarian aid aviation service provider Mercy Air South Africa. The conversion will be undertaken by Vector at its facility in Andalusia, AL.
“Upgrading our AS350 BA to a B2 provides us with much needed safety and performance margin,” explains Matthias Reuter, Mercy Air. “In Africa we face a harsh operating environment of high density altitudes and long distances between bases. We partner with a host of organizations that bring social, medical and spiritual help to people in remote areas of South Africa.”
“This BA to B2 conversion is the first of many that we plan to perform at our U.S. helicopter services facility in Alabama,” said Craig Pluim, Vice President, Rotary-Wing Sales at Vector Aerospace. “Our global AS350 BA to B2 conversion capability has proven to be in high demand, this modification being ideal for operators seeking enhanced performance without the expense of buying a new aircraft.”
Benefits of the AS350 BA to B2 conversion program include improved power margins through the installation of a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine, increased max take-off weight, payload and sling load, enhanced climb rates, reduced pilot workload and a higher resale value.
About Mercy Air
Mercy Air South Africa (www.mercyair.org) is a Christian humanitarian relief organization operating in sub-Saharan Africa since 1991. Two AS350 helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft are used primarily to transport medical teams, development specialists, essential equipment, and emergency food supplies in support of international and local aid organizations and various nonprofit missions, including medical evacuations and disaster relief. Mercy Air is based in South Africa, with representations in Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. The nonprofit organization is supported by donations that fund the relief flights to help Africa’s poorest.
About Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace is a global provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Through facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, South Africa, Kenya and Singapore, Vector Aerospace provides services to commercial and military customers for gas turbine engines, components and helicopter airframes. Vector’s customer-focused team of over 2,300 motivated employees act with integrity in setting the standard of customer service.
Vector Aerospace holds approvals from some of the world's leading turbine engine, airframe and avionics OEMs. Powerplants supported include a wide range of turboshafts, turboprops and turbofans from General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca. Vector Aerospace also provides support for a wide range of airframes from Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Boeing and Sikorsky, its capabilities including major inspections and dynamic component overhaul, and offers full-service avionics capability, including aircraft rewiring, mission equipment installation and glass cockpit upgrades.
