Material Management
In addition to structured and robust AOG and warranty support, the company offers three lines of service aimed at ensuring high availability for all in-service Airbus helicopters, and at keeping customers operating at peak performance levels:
- HCare Easy
- HCare Smart
- HCare Infinite
HCare Easy
HCare Easy is Airbus’ series of on-request catalogue services related to spare parts ordering, repair and overhaul, exchange and rental of components and equipment.
Easy Repair / Easy Overhaul
Airbus Helicopters proposes two types of maintenance service for equipment, dynamic components and blades repair and overhaul – easing customer maintenance operations, reducing downtime and allowing for more predictable maintenance planning.
HCare Easy services include two additional options applicable for major components:
- A reduced and secure turn-around-time (TAT) option
- A cost- and time-effective onsite repair option for minor repairs, through the assistance of Part 145 technician
All services and options are accessible through the Airbus customer portal, AirbusWorld.
Easy Exchange
Airbus’ Easy Exchange policy responds to the needs of helicopter operators whose missions require maximum availability, offering them the possibility of immediately exchanging a part needing repair or overhaul with another serviceable part. The availability of related parts is secured, and provides more flexibility and reactivity.
The result is optimal operational availability and minimal maintenance downtime – enabling operators to keep their aircraft in the air.
Easy Spare Part
This service, ensuring immediate availability of spare parts, tools and ground support equipment (GSE), is one of the most important keys to successful helicopter operations. Airbus continuously reviews its helicopter spare parts, tools and GSE delivery performance and adapts its stock and logistics processes, all with the goal of providing customers with maximum parts availability at competitive prices. The company reaches 98 percent of planned spares orders delivered on time worldwide.
HCare Smart
HCare Smart’s “by-the-hour” programmes offer a solution for all operator types, from low- to high-frequency fliers.
With a fixed rate per flight hour, it enables budget planning and control, enhanced helicopter availability and simpler management thanks to a unique contract.
HCare Smart offers four different programmes tailored to customers’ needs:
Repair by the Hour (RBH)
With Airbus Helicopters Repair-By-the-Hour programme, components are repaired and overhauled within a contractual turnaround time and for a fixed hourly rate.
This flexible solution allows customers to improve their existing maintenance schedule, while retaining property of their parts. The RBH programme includes dynamic components, blades, basic and mission equipment – with this coverage customisable according to customer needs. This service particularly suits military and public service operators.
Exchange by the Hour (EBH)
The Exchange-By-the-Hour (EBH) program offers customers immediate part availability for all unscheduled maintenance events. It is designed especially for moderate fliers who wish to keep their inventory costs low but want maximum part availability. The contract is billed at a fixed hourly rate so that maintenance costs remain predictable.
Parts by the Hour (PBH)
With the Parts-By-the-Hour (PBH) program, Airbus replaces covered helicopter components within a short and contractual lead time for both scheduled and unscheduled events. This service enables operators to decrease rotorcraft downtime, reduce inventory costs and stabilise maintenance expenses – as the contract is paid at a fixed hourly rate.
Airbus has a dedicated helicopter spare parts pool to support PBH customers. Parts are stored and distributed through a large logistics network located on all continents.
Full by the Hour
The Full-By–the-Hour service, on top of PBH coverage, includes the supply of consumables and non-repairable parts needed to carry out curative and preventive aircraft maintenance.
HCare Infinite
HCare Infinite’s services offer has three main packages including material management, technical, and maintenance services associated with contractual performance commitments. The proposed coverage goes up to all-inclusive turnkey solutions with a full fleet availability commitment according to customers’ requirements.
It is designed for customers who want to fully transfer maintenance operations and risks to industry in order to focus solely on their missions. Airbus takes care of the rest, from A to Z.
Other support and services
Worldwide Stock Management
Customers benefit from Airbus’ worldwide stock management policy, designed to ensure the right parts are available at the right time, and at the right place for each and every operator. The company is committed to increasing the level of its spares service through strong commitments on delivery lead times for planned orders.
Tools and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Spare parts include tools and ground support equipment. Airbus is working on the adaptation of its solutions according to operators’ return on experience from the field.
Many improvements are proposed to make maintenance providers’ lives easier, and to contribute to better efficiency in the maintenance of their helicopters.
The suite of specific tools and GSE to perform O and I maintenance level inspections, and the associated services that Airbus Helicopters offers to support fleet operations, are illustrated in commercial catalogues.
These catalogues have been customised by helicopter family. To facilitate the search, they have been structured either by ATA classification or by tool family.
Download and discover Airbus’ detailed catalogues through the AirbusWorld customer portal.
An Unmatched Global Logistics Network
Airbus has built an unrivalled global helicopter spare parts delivery network comprised of eight logistics hubs and central/regional inventories in France (Paris and Marignane), Germany, the United Kingdom, China (Hong Kong), Brazil, Mexico, Australia and the United States, along with a global network of customer centres and distributors.
Logistics Consulting
Airbus’ helicopter logistics field representatives (LFRs) are specialised experts who help customer teams operate more efficiently.
The LFR serves as the customer’s single point-of-contact at Airbus for material management needs in their country.
The LFR is fully dedicated to maintaining top-level logistic performance. Their scope includes improving logistic flows and administrative patterns, aligning forecasts to maintenance planning, following up with repairs – including turnaround times and core units – managing warranty claims, and coordinating transport of spare parts.
Depending on the operator’s specific needs, LFRs can be embedded directly on customer premises to manage either just one part of the supply chain (such as warehousing or transport), or the entire flow.
