Denel Aviation2008-09-18 16:07:22

Denel Aviation Shows Up Large at 2008

With all the right ingredients, Denel Aviation, part of Denel (Pty) Ltd, ensured its presence at AAD2008 is showing up large.

"Our clients expecting to see and visit us at this exhibition and air show will not be disappointed," said Mr Ismail Dockrat, Denel Aviation CEO.

Even before the exhibition officially opened on 17 September, Mr Dockrat was delivering a key message about Denel Aviation's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) programmes for the South African Police Service's helicopters at the Eurocopter-sponsored Law Enforcement Seminar.

"In 2007 Eurocopter accredited Denel Aviation as a certified support centre for Eurocopter products, of which there are many in South Africa, notably also in the police service,� Mr Dockrat explained. "This now also provides for maintenance and repair of Puma, Alouette and Squirrel helicopters in Africa and of course, the certification allows us to work on the South African Air Force's (SAAF) Oryx and Rooivalk fleets, too."

Earlier in the year Denel Aviation delivered a refurbished Puma helicopter to the Kenyan Air Force, another in a line of helicopters upgraded for that client.

Denel Aviation recently signed a long-term support vision agreement for assigned maintenance, repair and overhaul of the SAAF fleet, which aims to eliminate the duplication of MRO in Denel and the SAAF. At the same time Denel Aviation benefits from an improved contracting model and long-term sustainable scope of work, whilst providing the SAAF with a reduced cost structure and affordable, efficient and sustainable MRO.

"With an eye on explaining this in greater detail, we are hosting a MRO conference here in Cape Town at the Lagoon Hotel Conference Centre for a select group of AAD2008 visitors. The subject of MRO seems to be so high on the agenda, we had to change the venue due to the higher number of guests wanting to attend the conference," said Ismail Dockrat.

Still on the subject of MRO, Denel Aviation earlier this year signed a support services agreement SSA and a Hercules Service Centre (HSC) contract with Lockheed Martin. These agreements will provide the foundation for Denel Aviation to become an accredited Lockheed Martin C130 Service Centre.

Denel Aviation will become a fully accredited Hercules Authorized Service Center once an agreement with Lockheed Martin, for an on site OEM Service Representative, is signed. In view of the current demand for C-130 and L-100 technical support on the African continent, Denel Aviation regards the C-130/L-100 as a core service line within its MRO business.

"With some 140 Lockheed C-130 aircraft and its L-100 civil version operating in Africa alone, there is ample opportunity for Denel Aviation to undertake MRO service on the airplanes," explained Mr Dockrat.

One of the prime displays at AAD2008 in which Denel Aviation is involved, is the BAE Systems Hawk Mk 120 lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT). Delivery of the last (24th) aircraft of the fleet destined for the SAAF will take place this year.

Denel Aviation was responsible for the supply of certain Hawk structures, like the tailplane, rudder and air brake, as well as for final assembly. Other South African companies like ATE, Tellumat and AMS worked with BAE Systems and Denel Aviation on this programme.

An important part of Denel Aviation's turnaround strategy that started in October 2006, was to align the company with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like BAE Systems, Saab (for Gripen) and AgustaWestland.

At the AAD2008 air show the AgustaWestland A109 and the naval Super Lynx 300 helicopters will be participating in the daily flying display.

"We are very much aware of the public interest in aircraft, but even more the requirement to get young people into the high tech world of aviation. Denel Aviation not only sponsors events like the national Sci-Fest festivals, site visits for schools and the Expo for Young Scientists, but we are also involving ourselves a lot in the AAD Youth Development Programme (YDP) here at AAD2008," Mr Dockrat said.

The YDP at AAD2008 is much expanded on the previous occasions, with interactive displays, like simulators and model building competitions. The youth are exposed to career guidance programmes and industrial theatre, with an eye on enticing them into careers in engineering and aerospace.



For more information contact:
Po Box 11
Kempton Park
1620
South Africa
Tel:     +27 11 9279111
Fax:     +27 11 3951206

 

 

 

 

 


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