Constant Aviation has expanded its MRO capabilities beyond its portfolio of business jets, commercial airliners and other fixed wing aircraft to include rotorcraft such as helicopters, drones and commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

“We have strived to be at the forefront of aviation technology in all its forms, including servicing helicopters and emerging technologies such as commercial unmanned aircraft systems,” says CEO David H Davies. “Our expansion into these sectors positions us well for the future, including our ability to serve even newer emerging technologies such as eVTOL aircraft. We are fully staffed and equipped to service any private aircraft that can fly, from fixed wing aircraft such as business jets to helicopters, drones and other rotorcraft.”

As part of this initiative, Constant is completely refurbishing the Sikorsky S-76 helicopters flown by Flexjet's new private helicopter division; both companies are part of Directional Aviation. The interiors of each are being given Flexjet LXi custom cabin interiors, the first being the Phantom interior theme. All veneers are being refinished and all soft goods including seats, carpets and side walls are being restored with new materials. The newly painted livery pays homage to Flexjet's distinctive business jet liveries, which include a chameleon paint with an added carbon fibre accent on the upper cowling and leading edge on the vertical tail.

The private helicopter division refurbishments are being performed at Constant Aviation's MRO facility at Orlando Sanford International airport in Florida.

“We are proud that Flexjet has chosen us to ensure that its private helicopters meet its exacting standards,” says Davies. “The refurbishment demonstrates how we have successfully expanded our offering to include providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services to helicopters and other rotorcraft.”

This expansion into helicopter MRO services is a natural step in ensuring the company remains at the forefront of aviation maintenance needs across the full range of aircraft. It also prepares Constant Aviation for the next generation of rotorcraft that will require MRO services. The expertise developed with helicopters and other traditional rotorcraft systems strategically positions the company to serve emerging technology areas such as UAS and eVTOLs, which employ similar engineering, materials and systems.

“The aviation industry is evolving quickly, with new systems coming to the fore, especially in vertical flight and unmanned systems,” continues Davies. “We want to be positioned as the leader in servicing these newer forms of flight, and have been expanding our capabilities to offer them the same levels of skill, speed and quality that we have long provided to business jets and other fixed wing aircraft.”

In recent years, Constant Aviation has been dedicating additional resources towards these platforms, including adding even more FAA-authorised capabilities to its repair station certificates. These have the express purpose of working tip-to-tail on today's helicopters, UAS and eventually eVTOLs that require specific expertise that frequently is not aligned with standard repair station capabilities and issued ratings.

For example, in 2021 Constant Aviation renewed its partnership with Robotic Skies, a global marketplace for drone maintenance services, to support next-generation aviation sector UAS. With one of the nation's largest aircraft-on-ground (AOG) mobile fleets, Constant Aviation can repair drones wherever they may be, an important consideration given how widely such vehicles are now used in business and industry. Constant Aviation became an authorised UAS service centre in 2017.