Vector Aerospace's new AS350 Ecureuil capability opened by Deputy First Minister for Scotland

Above: (left to right) Four members of the Vector Aerospace team discussing a gearbox with Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training and John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister for Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy.

The new capability, which was officially opened by Deputy First Minister for Scotland John Swinney M.S.P on February 17th, allows the company to repair and overhaul gearboxes and associated components for the full range of AS350 family variants, including the H125/AS350 Ecureuil (aka Squirrel or AStar), the AS355 Ecureuil 2 (aka Twin Squirrel or TwinStar), and the H130/EC130 (aka EcoStar).

Commenting at the event, the Deputy First Minister said: “This new capability at Almondbank will enable Vector Aerospace to develop new lines and cultivate international markets, expanding from its traditional links with the military to the civil aviation sector. It will not only enable the company to enlarge its range of products, but will also enable the employees to develop new skills, safeguarding high-value jobs here in Perthshire. The Scottish Government will continue to do all that it can to support firms such as Vector Aerospace to innovate, grow, and increase their export potential - which is good for the company and good for the Scottish economy.”

Michael Tyrrell, Managing Director of Vector Aerospace – UK, commented: “This new capability gives Vector in Almondbank the opportunity to work with a new, more global customer base, offering support to a fleet of helicopters of which more than 5,000 are flying today. This further highlights the continuing diversification into the commercial aviation market that has taken place within Vector in the UK.

“As defence budgets have shrunk, the Almondbank site has had to change, to adjust and integrate within a fiercely competitive aviation maintenance sector. This is an ongoing process, and this new Ecureuil family DCR capability adds to the recent introduction of fuel accessory repair and composite repair. We continually strive to ensure that we set the standard of customer service to our customers, both existing and new. The introduction of new capabilities such as this ensures we can also maintain and grow highly specialised engineering skills within the region and within Scotland.”

Vector Aerospace is a global provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Through facilities in the UK, Canada, USA. 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 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.