Ladner-based Heli-One recently secured an $8-million contract to refurbish two helicopters for Malaysian royalty.
The company will design, certify and install a new glass cockpit on two Sikorsky S-76 B helicopters owned by the Sultan of Johor. The contract was arranged during a recent three-day visit by His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
Once complete, the aircraft will feature the latest in navigation and safety features to match the capabilities of new helicopters. Heli-One will also install a VIP interior, paint the aircraft with a custom livery and perform all maintenance tasks due on the helicopters, as well as provide flight crew and maintenance training for the new equipment.
"Heli-One is uniquely positioned to support this high value and high technology work due to the breadth and depth of our experience, our advanced engineering and design expertise and our proximity to important growing markets, like Malaysia," said Guy Borowski, vicepresident of operations at Heli-One, which is located on 80th Street adjacent to Boundary Bay Airport.
This is the second recent contract Heli-One has signed with Malaysia. Just last week, the company announced an agreement to upgrade the Sikorsky S-16 helicopter fleet for the Royal Malaysia Air Force in partnership with AIROD, the country's leading aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul centre.
Provincial Finance Minister Mike de Jong said the agreements are a sign of the growing international reputation of B.C.'s aerospace industry and promising economic ties between B.C. and Malaysia.
While he was in the Lower Mainland, the sultan also visited several other aerospace firms.
"I was greatly impressed by what I saw on my tour of the aeronautical facilities in B.C.," said Sultan Iskandar. "The quality and cutting-edge technology is among the best in the world. I also wanted to clearly demonstrate my commitment to furthering ties between our two states. What better way to kick-start the relationship with an investment and an endorsement."
