Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services receives Transport Canada approval for the GE CT7-8A engine

Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services has received Transport Canada Certificate of Approval for assembly and test of the General Electric (GE) CT7-8A engine, in support of the Canadian Department of National Defense’s (DND) CH-148 Cyclone- Maritime Helicopter Program (MHP). 

The Cyclone is a variant of the four-bladed, twin-engine H-92 Super Hawk helicopter  manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation  for the Canadian Forces , and is designed for shipboard operations. The helicopter is intended to replace the CH-124 Sea King , which has been in operation since the 1960s.

As per the Transport Canada Approval, Vector will build and test new CT7-8A engines for installation on the CH-148 Cyclone. Vector anticipates delivery of the first engines to GE by the end of April 2009 and in total, the company will deliver a total of 57 engines over a two and a half year period.

John MacDougall, President of Vector’s North American helicopter MRO operation believes the approval is a clear indicator of the high level of capability and expertise found throughout the company.

“General Electric is conveying a high degree of confidence in Vector by contracting us to build and test these new engines. We have enjoyed a long-standing and successful relationship with both GE and commercial and military operators in providing repair, overhaul and test services for other GE products including the T-58 / CT-58 (SeaKing), and the T-64 (Buffalo) engines.”

Vector is approved by General Electric to perform full repair, overhaul and test on a variety of CT7 / T700 engine models; and is capable of providing these services to customers in more than 20 countries. 

In addition to the T700 / CT7 engine, Vector’s MRO portfolio includes the Pratt & Whitney PT6T, Rolls Royce model 250, Arriel 1 and GE T58 / CT58 / T64 engines, dynamic components and structures (comprehensive support for a variety of Sikorsky, Bell and Eurocopter models) and full-service avionics, up to and including Integrated Cockpit Display System (ICDS or “glass cockpit”) installations.

Vector Aerospace Corporation is an industry-leading, independent provider of MRO services for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft operators around the globe; including support for various types of engines, dynamic components, structures and avionics.

From state-of-the-art facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Africa, Vector’s 2,500 employees serve a global customer base consisting of private and commercial operators, government agencies and defense departments. Vector holds approvals from some of the world’s leading OEMs including AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopters, Boeing, Eurocopter, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rolls Royce, Sagem Avionics, Sikorsky, Turbomeca and many other manufacturers and suppliers.