Story ID: 
Russian Helicopters To Certify Egyptian MRO Center
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Developed in partnership with the Helwan Factory for Developed Industries, the facility is currently performing its first pilot Mi-8 and Mi-17 overhauls.
Word Count: 205
Russian Helicopters is establishing an MRO center for its rugged Mi-8/17 helicopters in Egypt, which it expects to certify next year. The airframer has been working on the facility, located at the Helwan Factory for Developed Industries (HFDI), since 2015, equipping it with the required equipment and training personnel at the Aviation Training Center of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant. Once certified, the location will perform maintenance and overhauls on the Mi-8T and Mi-171V helicopters operated by the Egyptian Air Force. Future capabilities will include the Mi-17V5.

“One of the key objectives of JSC Russian Helicopters is to organize a system of after-sales support, providing service throughout the complete life cycle of Russian-made rotorcraft,” said Igor Chechikov, the company’s deputy director general for after-sales support, adding it intends to continue expanding its global network of authorized service centers. “Over the past three years, in cooperation with our partners from HFDI, we have performed a tremendous job establishing the MRO center for Russian-made rotorcraft at the factory’s facilities.”

He noted that the site is already in process of performing a pilot Mi-8T and Mi-171V overhaul and upon the successful completion, certification will be granted.