TTA Keeps Rotorcraft in Tip-Top Shape and Flying High

TTA Delivers with effective, Efficient, Safe Solutions that Help Ensure the Safety and Airworthiness of Small Aircraft

In this ongoing series, Thrust Tech Accessories (TTA) shines a light on the many different aircraft types presently in service around the world. Join us as we explore the roles they play in the industries they serve and the challenges they may see in performing their important duties day-by-day, year-after-year, all across the globe. We also wish to underscore the key role that MROs like TTA play behind-the-scenes in providing overhaul, repair, and modification of engines and airframe accessory components that keep such aircraft flying properly, safely – and long into the future. 

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Rotorcraft: A Growing Niche with an Important Role in Helping Keep the World Safe 

Many people in the aviation business know just how important rotorcraft are in helping to keep society safe. Especially in this day and age when helicopters are taking to the skies in greater numbers than ever, performing critical tasks all around the globe. Here’s how:

• One way is in attacking the spread of dangerous wildfires as we’ve seen in America’s western states – where they’re a valuable, front-line resource;
• Second, they’re saving lives by transporting crucial medical and emergency “search & rescue” services and personnel quickly to people in need;
• Third, they’re critical for law enforcement efforts; and
• They’re vital for multinational corporations that need to transport experts to offshore oilrigs, for example, and other remote spots to address operational or health/safety issues.

“We at Thrust Tech Accessories (TTA) are proud to support our clients who operate rotorcraft in public service, to save lives, to protect health/safety, and to assure corporate responsibility,” says Stanley Kowlessar, TTA’s president and general manager. Located near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in South Florida, TTA is an experienced, FAA 145 repair station/EAA certified provider of MRO services, with a solid reputation built over a 30-plus-year history.

Firefighting Prowess

To quickly put things into perspective, it’s interesting to note that the firefighting aircraft market was valued at $2.4 billion in 2021, and the largest share of that market was – you guessed it – rotorcraft.

While rotorcraft typically carry less fire retardant or water than fixed-wing aircraft, these helicopters can transport firefighters to hot spots quickly. That’s a huge plus. So, first responders can rapidly deploy equipment and begin work immediately to combat and control small wildfires before they become raging infernos.

Those successes are fueling increased demand. Among recent moves, Coldstream Helicopters acquired four Super Pumas from the Mexican Presidential Air Wing; they’re being repurposed into Fire Cats for use by British Columbia Wildfire Service and other North American fire agencies.

Separately, in August 2021, United Rotorcraft ordered five Sikorsky S-70 helicopters to be converted to the FIREHAWK firefighting configuration with 1,000-gallon external water tanks installed to the rotorcrafts’ bellies. And the list goes on…

Life-Saving Efforts

Helicopters are also vital in transporting medical and emergency rescue services personnel quickly to people in need. Often time, quick transport is what saves lives. This rotorcraft segment is also now experiencing robust growth.

For example, in fall 2021, Global Medical Response (GMR) ordered 21 new Airbus helicopters for use in air medical services. Plus, the group secured options to purchase up to 23 additional medical services helicopters.

When even one rotorcraft isn’t available to do life-saving work, people’s lives are touched – and not in a good way. TTA’s skilled experts have experience in working on everything from Bell Helicopters to the BK117 Eurocopter, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Airbus H145.

So, if your agency or company needs helicopter component overhauls, annual inspections, aircraft/rotorcraft maintenance and repairs, avionics, structural repairs, and more, contact a TTA sales representative today, at www.thrusttech.com/quote/

Getting Them Back in the Air

Kowlessar says his group is committed to doing whatever it takes to help get life-saving rotorcraft back in the air: “We offer high-quality airframe and powerplant accessory repair and overhaul with an unwavering commitment to customer service.”

To shorten the timeframe, TTA uses vast resources:

TTA offers both OEM and PMA parts, and also DER repairs to return to service otherwise non-repairable units.

The company also has significantly bolstered its parts inventory, so whether clients need an ignition exciter, hydraulic pump, generator, pump and motor package, ballscrew actuator, or other key parts, TTA stands ready to assist.

“Given that experts say the commercial helicopter market is expected to achieve a compounded annual growth rate of more than six percent between now and 2027, there clearly will be an increased need for expert MRO services,” asserts Kowlessar.

“That’s crucial for keeping rotorcraft operating at peak condition and on a timeline to assure they return to the air as quickly as possible. Rest assured that TTA will be here ready to assist when your future needs warrant our services.”

Read More

Please feel free to review other articles in our series, including the mission of Crop Dusters, aircraft built or converted for agricultural use, assuring that there’s a strong support for the food that feeds the world. Stay tuned for upcoming features on specialty type aircraft including Kodiak and Pilatus models.

Thrust Tech Accessories supports a number of regional airlines across the U.S., along with overseas air carriers and rotorcraft operators in numerous countries around the globe. To find out more about TTA’s wide-ranging capabilities to support your fleet and to obtain competitive program bids, contact by calling 954-984-0450.

PHOTO BY: Antonio Lapa (Royalty-Free Unsplash photographer)