Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a new support-by-the-hour contract with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter for the engines powering its fleet of AS350 B4 helicopters. This SBH® contract covers in-service support and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) for 25 Arriel 2B1 engines.

Papillon is the largest helicopter operator for discovery flights over the Grand Canyon, and this year it will celebrate its 60th anniversary. The signing of this contract follows an initial SBH contract signed in 2018 for the support of the Arriel 2D engines powering Papillon’s H130 helicopters.

The contract will be managed by Safran Helicopter Engines USA, in Grand Prairie, Texas, which monitors and supports 400 helicopter operators in the United States, for a total fleet of 3,200 engines.

Thierry Derrien, Safran Helicopter Engines USA CEO, said: “We are particularly delighted that Papillon has decided to continue its partnership with Safran Helicopter Engines and its SBH support contract. This partnership, which began in 2018, has demonstrated the relevance of our support offer for the missions carried out by Papillon.”

Lon Halvorson, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter Executive Vice-President, said: “Safran and Papillon have been working towards this agreement for many years.  Finally, the stars aligned!  Now our entire Safran-powered Airbus fleet is covered by the Safran SBH program bringing financial stability to our engine overhaul expense. We look forward to our continued Safran support.”

SBH is Safran Helicopter Engines’ maintenance-by-the-hour service. It provides visibility on engine operating costs and smooths financial flows, while making scheduled and unscheduled maintenance operations more flexible. SBH is integrated into a range of high value-added digital services such as Health Monitoring, Expert Link and Online SBH. Today, 50% of Safran Helicopter Engines’ engine flight hours are covered by the SBH service.

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

Safran Helicopter Engines is the world’s leading manufacturer of helicopter engines, with more than 75,000 produced since being founded. It offers the widest range of helicopter turboshafts in the world and has more than 2,500 customers in 155 countries.

Source : Safran