Safran Helicopter Engines and PhilJets Aero Services Inc (PhilJets) marked a milestone at the Singapore Airshow 2024 by signing a new Support-By-the-Hour (SBH) contract for the Arrano engine. PhilJets, the Certified Distributor Center for Safran in the Philippines, and Safran Helicopter Engines (Safran HE) have solidified their 3 years collaboration through this strategic agreement.

PhilJets and Safran are partnering to launch the entry into service of the Arrano engine, set to power the soon-to-be-delivered first Airbus H160 in the region.

During the signing ceremony at the Singapore Airshow, PhilJets’ Founder Thierry Tea and Safran HE Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Ms. Valerie Patuel, reiterated the firm commitment of both companies to deepen their collaboration in supporting helicopter owners and operators in the Philippines.

Valerie Patuel, said: “We are very pleased to have the first H160 customer in this region supported with our SBH® contract. Our teams strive hard to provide the best-in-class support for customers and ensure a smooth entry-into-service of the Arrano”.

Jerome Hernandez, Sales and MRO Support Manager of PhilJets said: “It is our mission to keep our customer’s helicopter flying to meet their needs. We are pleased that this contract, in addition to the other 13 Safran engines in the Philippines currently under SBH® contract, will allow the owner and operator to receive extensive support for their helicopter.”             

This SBH® contract formalizes a long-term Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and services agreement supporting two Arrano 1A engines, making it the first SBH® contract signed for the Arrano in the South East Asia Region.

Since 2021, Safran HE and PhilJets have joined forces to support a growing fleet of more than 100 helicopters operators flying in the Philippines, with 13 engines now covered under SBH contracts.

The collaboration aims to enhance the operational availability of helicopters in the Philippines, where PhilJets has been operating for 11 years, in order to increase customer satisfaction of helicopter operators.

The contract signifies a commitment to continue improving Safran HE’s services in the archipelago, with PhilJets managing the contract locally and receiving support from Safran Helicopter Engines’ regional office in Singapore.

Safran’s Arrano engine, a 1,300 shp new-generation powerhouse, offers about 15% reduction in fuel consumption compared to other in-service helicopter engines. Notably, it is certified to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), like all Safran’s engines.

The SBH program from Safran Helicopter Engines provides predictable engine operating costs, eliminates cash peaks, and offers flexibility for scheduled and unscheduled MRO coverage. The program also integrates digital services like engine Health Monitoring, Expert Link, and Online SBH. SBH® is part of EngineLife® Services, Safran’s range of solutions for helicopter engines.