Custom-designed maintenance stands from Las Vegas-based S.A.F.E. Structure Designs (Booth 4432, 130) were developed for a Bell 429 operated by public utility provider Southern California Edison (SCE) it said this week at Heli-Expo 2020. For those who maintain such helicopters, the stands represent sheer usefulness and practicality.
The stands were designed with custom anti-fatigue mats to protect an aviation maintenance technician’s knees and back and also have strategically placed bins and waste containers to prevent lost tools and foreign object debris. S.A.F.E. designed its first Bell 429 maintenance stands for the Nassau County Police Department's Aviation Unit in 2017, and company CEO Johnny Buscema pointed out that improvements made since were the direct result of user feedback.
"I take the time to talk with mechanics and observe their working environment to design solutions that work," he said. "It is important that the stands are safe and user-friendly. The stands have to be comfortable for the mechanics to get the work done efficiently and with minimal distraction. I always value the feedback from customers."
S.A.F.E. will also host its first-ever Maintenance Safety Symposium in Dallas on June 10 and 11. Co-hosted by the Helicopter Safety Alliance (HSA) and Southern Utah University, the event will provide safety information and networking opportunities for helicopter maintenance personnel.