Deccan Aviation inaugurates service centre for Bell copters

Deccan Aviation, the parent company of India's first low-cost airline Air Deccan, has set up an exclusive Customer Service Facility for Bell helicopters.

The unit is called Deccan Technical Services and will be the first such undertaking in India for components' overhaul of Bell helicopters.

The facility has been set up at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore and it is located at Jakkur, nearly 20 km from Bangalore city, where the flying club is located.

The facility has received approvals from the Director General of Civil Aviation as well as Bell Helicopter Textron. Bell had permitted Deccan Aviation to carry out field maintenance of Bell Helicopters in 2003.

According to Captain Gopinath, managing director, Deccan Aviation Pvt Ltd, "The cost per hour of flying can come down if the entire engineering and service can be done in India. When a problem occurs anywhere in the country, the helicopter is grounded for a long time until it is fixed. This facility would help in quicker repairs."

Today, India has over 100 helicopters, of which nearly 50 are from Bell. Besides heli-tourism and oil exploration activities, there is also a big demand for these helicopters from the Indian corporate sector.

Stating that the heli-tourism industry in the US is nearly a $400 million industry, Max Wiley, vice president, Asia Pacific Sales, Bell Helicopter Textron, said, "The market-driven economy in India is driving a lot of entrepreneurship. We have taken the next big step by partnering with Deccan Aviation. The potential to improve connectivity in India and explore different applications in aviation is enormous."

The service facility includes a 3,000 sq.ft hangar, where three helicopters can be parked at a time. There is another hangar of 5,000 sq.ft for a wheel and brake shop. There is a 1,000 sq.ft store room for components and spare parts.

There is also a 3,000 sq.ft runway, helipads and parking space for 5-6 helicopters. Deccan Aviation has built a crew retreat centre for personnel who come for repairing these helicopters.