China’s CGAMEC (COHC General Aviation Maintenance & Engineering Company) joint venture has broadened its helicopter support and services with rotor blade repair approval by Eurocopter, further developing this company’s capabilities as the rotorcraft sector continues to develop and mature in China.

The blade repair builds on CGAMEC’s previous qualification as a Eurocopter-approved center for a variety of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services on helicopter types that range from the light single-engine EC120 to heavy twin-engine helicopters such as the Super Puma AS332 and EC225.

CGAMEC’s new capability was formalized with Eurocopter’s presentation of the rotor blade repair approval certificate, which was provided by Dominique Maudet, Eurocopter’s Executive Vice President of Global Business and Services, to CGAMEC General Manager Zhou Jian at the 2012 Airshow China in Zhuhai.

“The blade repair capability is a major step in CGAMEC’s development, which supports the rapidly-evolving helicopter market in China,” Maudet said. “It demonstrates the commitment of Eurocopter and CGAMEC to increase their support and services activities. Eurocopter will continue to assist CGAMEC in gaining new capabilities to offer current and future Chinese customers with local solutions to support their helicopters.”

Created in 2001, the Shenzhen-based CGAMEC is a joint venture of CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company (COHC), Eurocopter and Samwell Aviation Limited Company. It is the first Sino-foreign joint venture in the general aviation MRO field, and is approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), as well as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In addition to being the only Eurocopter-approved maintenance center in China, CGAMEC also is the engine service center in China approved by Turbomeca – the main manufacturer of powerplants for Eurocopter’s product line.

“Our new rotor blade repair qualification enhances CGAMEC’s advantage in China, and provides additional benefits for our leadership role with Eurocopter in this market,” Zhou explained. “We look forward to bringing additional expertise to our maintenance, repair and overhaul portfolio through this joint venture.”

According to Bruno Boulnois, the CEO of Eurocopter China, CGAMEC’s capabilities expansion marks a new step in Eurocopter’s Chinese presence strategy, which includes its in-country subsidiary that he oversees, along with a range of cooperative programs for spare parts, logistics, MRO and training – all tailored to offer turn-key solutions for customers and their operational needs.

In other activity at this week’s Airshow China that underscores Eurocopter’s key role in Chinese rotorcraft operations, the company recognized COHC for the 160,000 hours of safe flight operations logged with Eurocopter rotorcraft. COHC’s Eurocopter fleet is composed of the EC135, AS365, EC155, AS332 and EC225 helicopter types.

About Eurocopter China
Created in December 2006, Eurocopter China is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurocopter Group, responsible for sales and customer support activities for the company’s entire range of products. In China, Eurocopter China covers a market share of 40%. With 45 years of presence and over 30 years of experience in industrial cooperation in China, around 180 Eurocopter helicopters have been sold in the country. In order to provide quality service in proximity to Chinese operators, Eurocopter China has established a multi-based organization in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Harbin, Chengdu, Wuhan and Hong Kong staffed with around 65 employees.
Website: www.eurocopter-china.com

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There currently are more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.