Columbia Helicopters, April 13, 2018 - Aurora, Oregon – Columbia Helicopters, Inc. and GE Aviation are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement whereby Columbia Helicopters will become the Total Logistics Support provider for all operators and maintainers of T58 and CT58 engines with the sole exception being the T58-400B engine model used for executive transport by the US Government.
This agreement will ensure the continued seamless support of the T58 and CT58 engine series, within the established capabilities and approvals held by Columbia.
Columbia has purchased a considerable inventory from both Sikorsky Aircraft Company and GE, and will soon begin selling directly to other engine owners and maintainers. Under this agreement, GE has licensed Columbia to produce all procurable spare parts under their existing FAA Production Certificate and utilizing OEM drawings and specifications. This activity will commence following FAA approval and update to Columbia’s Production Limitation Record (PLR).
Columbia intends to proactively analyze fleet trends and future needs to provide sustaining parts support with the intention of providing T58 and CT58 customers with the premier service that is a fundamental part of the Columbia brand. By fully supporting the global operating fleet and maintenance providers, Columbia will ensure that adequate resources and parts production volume will continue into the foreseeable future, while maintaining the commercial viability of the product.
“The T58 is one of the most reliable helicopter engines in the world,” said Marc Joslow, GE Aviation’s program manager for their turboshaft and turboprop military programs. “Created under a development contract with the U.S. Navy awarded in 1953, the T58 was GE’s first small turbine engine and was instrumental in the evolution and popularity of helicopters as a mode of transportation. We look forward to partnering with Columbia Helicopters to further build upon the T58 legacy.”
In addition to parts manufacturing and distribution, Columbia will also become the source for engine technical publications and for technical support with respect to T58 and CT58 operational and maintenance issues.
The transition of support from GE to Columbia is expected to take approximately four months. Following the transition, GE, as the T58/CT58 FAA Type Certificate holder will remain highly involved with this program and maintain responsibility for engine configuration control.
Columbia is well-known and highly respected throughout the operating and maintenance sectors of the industry, and GE is confident of the commitment and capabilities of their personnel to provide the continuing high levels of service, quality, and support that has come to be expected with this program.
About Columbia Helicopters. Columbia Helicopters is the global leader in heavy-lift helicopter operations and trusted expert in maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The company owns, operates and maintains a fleet of Columbia Model 107-II Vertol, Columbia Model 234 Chinook, and Columbia Model CH-47D Chinook helicopters. These aircraft are operated around the world, providing passenger and cargo services to customers and in various end-markets.
In addition, Columbia Helicopters supports commercial and government operators with a comprehensive range of responsive life-cycle support and MRO services, from tip to tail, in the hangar or in the field maintenance. Columbia Helicopters hold a Type and Production Certificate for the Columbia Model 234 Chinook and Type Certificate for Columbia Model 107-II Vertol and Columbia Model CH-47D Chinook. Columbia Helicopters is a factory-authorized service center for the Honeywell T55-714 and a NAVAIR-approved MRO facility.
About GE Aviation: GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings and is part of the world’s Digital Industrial Company with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive.
This agreement will ensure the continued seamless support of the T58 and CT58 engine series, within the established capabilities and approvals held by Columbia.
Columbia has purchased a considerable inventory from both Sikorsky Aircraft Company and GE, and will soon begin selling directly to other engine owners and maintainers. Under this agreement, GE has licensed Columbia to produce all procurable spare parts under their existing FAA Production Certificate and utilizing OEM drawings and specifications. This activity will commence following FAA approval and update to Columbia’s Production Limitation Record (PLR).
Columbia intends to proactively analyze fleet trends and future needs to provide sustaining parts support with the intention of providing T58 and CT58 customers with the premier service that is a fundamental part of the Columbia brand. By fully supporting the global operating fleet and maintenance providers, Columbia will ensure that adequate resources and parts production volume will continue into the foreseeable future, while maintaining the commercial viability of the product.
“The T58 is one of the most reliable helicopter engines in the world,” said Marc Joslow, GE Aviation’s program manager for their turboshaft and turboprop military programs. “Created under a development contract with the U.S. Navy awarded in 1953, the T58 was GE’s first small turbine engine and was instrumental in the evolution and popularity of helicopters as a mode of transportation. We look forward to partnering with Columbia Helicopters to further build upon the T58 legacy.”
In addition to parts manufacturing and distribution, Columbia will also become the source for engine technical publications and for technical support with respect to T58 and CT58 operational and maintenance issues.
The transition of support from GE to Columbia is expected to take approximately four months. Following the transition, GE, as the T58/CT58 FAA Type Certificate holder will remain highly involved with this program and maintain responsibility for engine configuration control.
Columbia is well-known and highly respected throughout the operating and maintenance sectors of the industry, and GE is confident of the commitment and capabilities of their personnel to provide the continuing high levels of service, quality, and support that has come to be expected with this program.
About Columbia Helicopters. Columbia Helicopters is the global leader in heavy-lift helicopter operations and trusted expert in maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The company owns, operates and maintains a fleet of Columbia Model 107-II Vertol, Columbia Model 234 Chinook, and Columbia Model CH-47D Chinook helicopters. These aircraft are operated around the world, providing passenger and cargo services to customers and in various end-markets.
In addition, Columbia Helicopters supports commercial and government operators with a comprehensive range of responsive life-cycle support and MRO services, from tip to tail, in the hangar or in the field maintenance. Columbia Helicopters hold a Type and Production Certificate for the Columbia Model 234 Chinook and Type Certificate for Columbia Model 107-II Vertol and Columbia Model CH-47D Chinook. Columbia Helicopters is a factory-authorized service center for the Honeywell T55-714 and a NAVAIR-approved MRO facility.
About GE Aviation: GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings and is part of the world’s Digital Industrial Company with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive.
See also |
Columbia Helicopters General Electric T58
Helicopters Engines CT58 / S-61 Support by Columbia and Brightwater
