MRO & Manufacturing
Helicopter Express and TracPlus Partner to Digitize 46-Aircraft Fleet
Helicopter Express teams with TracPlus to implement a digital platform across its 46-aircraft fleet, improving operational visibility and reporting.
This article is based on an official press release from TracPlus.
Helicopter Express and TracPlus Forge Enterprise Partnership to Digitize 46-Aircraft Fleet
On May 25, 2026, TracPlus and Helicopter Express officially announced a new enterprise Partnerships aimed at deploying a mission-critical intelligence platform across a massive utility helicopter fleet. According to the official press release, this collaboration will see TracPlus’s digital infrastructure integrated across all 46 of Helicopter Express’s Helicopters, marking a significant step in the Aviation industry’s ongoing digital transformation.
Helicopter Express, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded in 1995 by Scott Runyan, has grown to become the largest utility helicopter operator in the United States. The company specializes in high-stakes, mission-critical services, including heavy lift and crane operations, utility and electrical construction support, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and disaster relief. What began as a single engagement with the U.S. Forest Service has expanded into active annual engagements both domestically and internationally, with operations spanning Greece, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Chile, and Italy.
To support this expansive operational footprint, the company has turned to TracPlus, an Auckland, New Zealand-based global leader in mission-critical intelligence and operational data. TracPlus already serves as the system of record for major global agencies, including California’s CAL FIRE, Australia’s national aerial firefighting program, and New Zealand’s Fire and Emergency (FENZ). The platform currently manages approximately 2,500 wildfire suppression aircraft globally, holding over a billion flight records and processing roughly a million new data points every day.
Scaling Operations and Managing Complexity
The Catalyst for Digital Transformation
As Helicopter Express scaled its operations through strategic acquisitions and geographic expansion, the company faced the growing challenge of managing disparate systems and hardware across an increasingly diverse fleet. According to the press release, this fragmentation made it difficult to track aircraft in real time and meet the complex reporting demands required by international and government contracts.
The operator’s fleet is highly varied, consisting of Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes, Kaman K-Max K-1200s, Bell 412EPXs, Bell 205s, Bell 407s, and Airbus AS-350s. Managing maintenance, tracking, and operational data for such a wide array of airframes across multiple continents requires a unified approach. Following a successful trial period earlier in the year, TracPlus was selected to provide a single, enterprise-grade platform to replace these fragmented workflows with an automated, centralized system.
The TracPlus Solution and Capabilities
Unifying the Fleet
The deployment of the TracPlus platform provides Helicopter Express with several specific operational upgrades designed to streamline multi-continent missions. Based on the partnership announcement, the integration delivers a “Single Operating Picture,” offering real-time visibility across all aircraft, crews, and operational activities regardless of their global location.
Furthermore, the system introduces automated operational reporting. This feature ensures the accurate, automated validation of flight and billing data, which the companies note will reduce manual administrative processing and significantly improve billing accuracy. For high-stakes operations like firefighting, the platform also offers advanced aerial analytics, providing purpose-built performance reporting and transparency for government and private clients.
Safety and cross-departmental efficiency are also core components of the integration. The platform includes integrated alerts and notifications, enhancing crew safety through email and SMS alerts, geofencing, and proprietary Guardian safety features. These tools provide actionable insights that support multiple departments within Helicopter Express, including operations, finance, maintenance, and executive leadership.
Leadership Perspectives
Executives from both organizations highlighted the necessity of scalable digital infrastructure for modern aviation operations. In the official press release, Todd O’Hara, CEO of TracPlus, emphasized the importance of operational clarity for large-scale fleets.
“We’re proud to be part of Helicopter Express’ next chapter. A 46-aircraft fleet operating across multiple continents needs operational clarity that scales with it. That’s what we’re here to provide.”
Scotty Runyan, Vice President of Government Services at Helicopter Express Inc., echoed this sentiment, noting that the platform allows the company to manage its growth without inflating administrative burdens.
“As Helicopter Express has grown, so has the complexity of running our fleet. TracPlus has given us the platform to manage that complexity without adding overhead. We can track every aircraft across every base, automate our reporting, and make faster, better-informed decisions, whether we’re fighting fires in California or managing lift operations overseas. For a growing company, that kind of operational clarity is invaluable.”
Broader Industry Implications
AirPro News analysis
At AirPro News, we observe that this partnership underscores a broader, accelerating trend within the aviation and utility sectors: the urgent need to digitize and centralize operational data. As aviation companies grow through Acquisitions and secure complex international contracts, relying on legacy systems and fragmented hardware becomes a critical operational vulnerability.
Unified digital platforms are rapidly transitioning from optional upgrades to essential infrastructure. This is particularly true in high-stakes environments such as aerial firefighting and disaster response, where real-time tracking and data analytics are critical for coordinating rapid responses and ensuring the Safety of remote first responders. Furthermore, government clients increasingly demand rigorous proof of mission effectiveness and precise financial reporting across borders. By adopting enterprise-wide digital solutions, operators like Helicopter Express are positioning themselves to meet these stringent requirements while maintaining safety and operational efficiency at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How large is the Helicopter Express fleet?
According to the press release, Helicopter Express operates a diverse fleet of 46 aircraft, making it the largest utility helicopter operator in the United States.
What types of helicopters does Helicopter Express operate?
The fleet includes Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes, Kaman K-Max K-1200s, Bell 412EPXs, Bell 205s, Bell 407s, and Airbus AS-350s.
What is the scale of TracPlus’s global operations?
TracPlus manages approximately 2,500 wildfire suppression aircraft globally, holds over a billion flight records, and processes roughly a million new data points daily.
When was this partnership officially announced?
The operational partnership was officially announced on May 25, 2026, following a successful trial period.
Sources
Photo Credit: TracPlus
MRO & Manufacturing
Safran Opens $140M LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Mexico
Safran Aircraft Engines inaugurated a $140M LEAP engine maintenance facility in Querétaro, targeting 350 shop visits annually by 2030.
Safran Aircraft Engines officially opened a $140 million maintenance facility in Querétaro, Mexico, on July 1, 2026, expanding its capacity to service the rapidly growing global fleet of CFM LEAP engines. The new shop adds significant infrastructure to the manufacturers footprint in the Americas, targeting the high-volume narrowbody market.
The facility is part of a broader €1 billion global investment strategy by the company to scale its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network. The CFM LEAP engine powers next-generation narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX, both of which are seeing increased shop visit demand as early-delivery airframes mature.
Scaling LEAP engine maintenance in the Americas
The comprehensive MRO hub in Querétaro spans a total footprint of 50,000 square meters. Safran projects that by 2030, the two maintenance facilities located at the site will be capable of handling 350 LEAP engine shop visits annually. The site also features a new test cell designed to perform 350 engine tests per year by the end of the decade.
In a press release issued to mark the opening, Stéphane Cueille, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, stated that the inauguration strengthens the Querétaro hub’s role at the center of the company’s maintenance ecosystem in the Americas.
Workforce growth and training initiatives
The new engine shop will employ 450 people when operating at full capacity. This expansion adds to the existing workforce across the four Safran Aircraft Engine Services Americas facilities in Querétaro, which currently stands at 1,450 employees. Safran projects the total headcount for its Querétaro operations will reach 2,000 by 2030.
To support this rapid workforce expansion, the company established an onsite training center in partnership with local educational institutions. The center is designed to train 300 inspectors and technicians annually, creating a direct pipeline of qualified personnel for the MRO hub.
“With continued investment in Mexico and around the world we will address the growing global demand for LEAP engine maintenance while continuing to deliver world class support to our customers in the region,” Cueille said.
Global MRO network expansion
The Querétaro engine shop inauguration aligns with Safran Aircraft Engines’ €1 billion global investment plan. To support the expanding CFM LEAP engine fleet, the company recently opened similar maintenance facilities in India, Morocco, and Belgium.
The broader Safran Group is also increasing its footprint in Mexico across other divisions. On June 10, 2026, Safran Landing Systems announced an expansion of its global MRO capabilities, which included its separate Querétaro site, to support landing gear maintenance for Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330 aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
The aggressive expansion of Safran’s MRO network underscores the industry-wide pressure to keep next-generation narrowbody fleets operational. As the CFM LEAP engine matures and the installed base on Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grows, shop visit demand is accelerating. We view the $140 million investment in Querétaro as a strategic move to localize heavy maintenance near major North and South American operators, reducing turnaround times and logistical bottlenecks. The concurrent focus on local workforce training highlights a critical challenge in the MRO sector: securing the qualified technicians required to meet projected maintenance volumes over the next decade.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
MRO & Manufacturing
Daher Aircraft Opens MRO Center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport
Daher Aircraft inaugurated a 6,000 sq-meter MRO facility at Jonzac-Neulles Airport on July 3, 2026, replacing its former Merpins site.
Daher Aircraft officially opened a 6,000-square-meter maintenance, overhaul, and logistics center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport (LFCJ) on July 3, 2026, consolidating its regional support operations and gaining direct runway access for on-aircraft services.
The purpose-built facility in France’s Charente-Maritime Department replaces the manufacturer’s previous site in Merpins, located 25 kilometers to the north. According to a press release issued by the company, the relocation ensures continuity for existing service contracts while providing the physical capacity to expand its support network for a diverse fleet of civil and military aircraft.
Expanded capabilities and runway access
The transition to Jonzac-Neulles Airport provides Daher Aircraft with direct access to a 1,370-meter runway. This infrastructure addition allows the company to perform on-aircraft maintenance and technical support that was not feasible at the landlocked Merpins location.
The center offers a broad portfolio of services, operating both under direct contract and as a supplier. Supported aircraft range from Airbus helicopters operated by the French Gendarmerie to training airplanes manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft and Grob Aircraft.
The facility houses specialized workshops for composite airframe repair, painting, welding, landing gear hydraulics, battery overhaul, and Level 2 non-destructive testing.
Legacy fleet support and regional investment
A primary function of the new hub is maintaining the global fleet of approximately 3,000 legacy general aviation and training aircraft produced by SOCATA, Daher Aircraft’s predecessor. The center will provide spare parts supply, repair services, and replacement part manufacturing for the SOCATA TB and Rallye aircraft families under the company’s Part 21J Design Organization Approval.
Local government authorities, specifically the Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge, spearheaded the construction of the facility. The project was initiated under former president Claude Belot and inaugurated with current president and Jonzac mayor Christophe Cabri in attendance.
“This inauguration marks another important step in Daher Aircraft’s commitment to further strengthening our global support network and the comprehensive services it provides,”
said Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft. He credited the local government’s support as instrumental in completing the project.
The operation currently employs 32 personnel who transferred from the former Merpins site. Daher Aircraft projects the workforce will increase to approximately 40 employees by the end of 2026.
AirPro News analysis
The relocation to Jonzac-Neulles Airport represents a logical infrastructure upgrade for Daher Aircraft. By securing direct runway access, the company eliminates the logistical friction of transporting aircraft components over land for overhaul and opens the door to fly-in maintenance services. We view this as a strategic consolidation that protects Daher’s lucrative legacy support business while positioning the facility to capture third-party maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contracts for other general aviation manufacturers.
Sources: Daher Aircraft
Photo Credit: Daher Aircraft
MRO & Manufacturing
Honeywell Wins $249M Army Contract for CH-47 Chinook Engine MRO
Honeywell Aerospace secures a $249M U.S. Army contract to overhaul T55-GA-714A engines for the CH-47 Chinook fleet through May 2029.
Honeywell Aerospace has secured a $249 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide repair and overhaul services for the T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines powering the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet.
The three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, announced in a June 2026 press release, ensures a continuous supply of serviceable powerplants for the military through May 2029. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal officially awarded the Contracts on May 21, 2026.
Commercial processes drive military maintenance efficiency
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work will take place at Honeywell’s aerospace headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company is applying commercial aviation maintenance methodologies to its military engine overhaul program to increase throughput and reduce turnaround times.
Brian Laughton, Senior Director and Site Leader of the Phoenix repair facility, stated that the T55 line utilizes the same processes applied to the company’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified lines for business jet turbofan engines.
Capitalizing on these proven commercial processes has enabled us to double our capacity in the facility and reduce cycle time to ensure we are meeting delivery commitments to our customers.
Legacy and evolution of the T55 engine program
The T55 engine originally entered service in 1961. Over the past six decades, Honeywell has manufactured more than 6,000 T55 engines, accumulating approximately 12 million flight hours across the CH-47 and MH-47 variants.
The powerplant has undergone significant upgrades since its introduction. The current T55-GA-714A variant produces approximately 5,000 shaft horsepower, representing a threefold increase in output compared to the original 1960s design. The engine currently supports the U.S. Army and more than 15 international military operators.
Dave Marinick, President of Engines & Power Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, noted the company’s long-term commitment to the platform, stating that Honeywell looks forward to continuing its support for the engine program for decades to come.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that cross-pollinating commercial FAA-certified maintenance practices into military depot-level work is becoming a critical strategy for aerospace Manufacturers. By doubling facility capacity without necessarily expanding the physical footprint, Honeywell is addressing the persistent supply chain and turnaround time bottlenecks that have challenged military readiness in recent years. The $249 million valuation for a three-year period highlights the intense operational tempo and heavy utilization of the global Chinook fleet.
Sources: Honeywell Aerospace
Photo Credit: Boeing
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