[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On December 18, 2017 Airborne Services received the MAA-NLD 145 accreditation. The Director of the Military Airworthiness Authority of the Netherlands (MAA-NLD), Colonel Jan-Paul Apon handed over the official accreditation to the Director of Airborne Services, Mr. Marco Brinkman. The event was witnessed by the Commander of the Logistic Centre Woensdrecht (LCW), Air Commodore Richard Laurijssen and personnel of the Program Management and 980 Squadrons.
During the last year Airborne has been working under the quality system of the LCW, performing maintenance and repair activities on rotor blades of the Cougar and NH-90 helicopter. The performance was monitored on Flexibility, Costs and Turn-around Times. At the end of the pilot period, the results were evaluated. Lieutenant-Colonel Joannes, Program Manager Cougar, explains: “We started this project to create more flexibility in the maintenance of components. A higher flexibility will result in a higher availability. The outcome of the pilot is positive and opens opportunities for all our RNLAF helicopters”.
Colonel Apon of the MAA adds: “To increase the added value of partnering with commercial companies it is essential to the cooperation to comply with military airworthiness requirements. Airborne is the second company with this accreditation located on this Airbase and we especially appreciated the open communication with the civil authorities during the process.”
Earlier this year, Airborne has become an EASA Part 145 approved maintenance organisation, a FAA 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Station and has been certified by Lloyd’s Register according to the AS9110 standard. With this certification Airborne is able to repair and release rotor blades, propeller blades and composite structures of civil helicopters and fixed wing aircraft of different types. The MAA-NLD accreditation covers currently the main and tail rotor blades of the military Cougar, NH-90, Chinook and Apache helicopters of the RNLAF.
“This accreditation is a result of an intensive cooperation between the squadrons and our company. We like to thank all personnel involved for their professional contribution and look forward to extend our partnership with the LCW”, Mr. Brinkman concluded.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]