Houston, Texas — Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, and Aeropower today signed a seven-year TotalCare® long-term service agreement covering the service and support of Aeropower’s M250-powered MD 500 helicopter fleet.  The signing took place at a ceremony held on the Rolls-Royce booth at Heli Expo 2010.

Ken Roberts, President of the Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engine business, said: “We are pleased to be building upon our relationship with Aeropower, supporting their continued growth in the Pacific Rim utility market. 

“The TotalCare program provides a comprehensive maintenance approach that allows our customers to keep their aircraft in operation, performing their critical missions whenever required.” 

Roy Conomos, CEO of Aeropower, said: “Transitioning to a new TotalCare arrangement with Rolls-Royce is a natural progression for Aeropower.  For six years under a Fleet Hour Agreement, Aeropower has received seamless support, from budgeting to cash flow management, and the world wide assistance we have received from a dedicated Rolls-Royce team.  All of this gives us confidence to sign on to the Rolls-Royce TotalCare Program.”

Through the TotalCare program, Rolls-Royce manages and performs all aspects of M250 shop-level maintenance, provides access to spare engines and accessories, provides subscription service to Technical Manuals, and provides M250 Maintenance Training courses.

1. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established strong positions in its four global markets – civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy.
2. The company has a broad customer base including more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries. With facilities in 50 countries, Rolls-Royce employs more than 38,000 people worldwide and has businesses headquartered in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and China. This global presence allows the Group to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.
3. In 2009, Rolls-Royce and its partners invested $1.4 billion in research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products, in particular the reduction of emissions.
4. Rolls-Royce is the world-leading producer of light turbine engines in the helicopter market. The M250 line has produced over 30,000 engines, more than half of which are still in service with approximately 4,500 operators in 150 nations. The M250 family has accumulated over 200 million flight hours, providing an unmatched level of expertise in every conceivable operational condition.
5. Rolls-Royce turboshaft and turboprop engines provide power in the 300 shp to more than 7,300 shp range, powering over 200 aircraft models to date including the Bell 206/407/430 and AgustaWestland Super Lynx/AW159/T129.  This creates a broad base of market opportunities for both rotary and fixed-winged aircraft.

Source: Rolls Royce