Making a Difference for P&WC's Brazilian Operators

Expanding the Global Service Network

PT6A engine operators in Brazil-the world's third-largest domestic aviation market-got a double dose of good news this fall when P&WC announced the appointment of two Designated Maintenance Facilities in South America's largest nation.

One of these is ABA Manutencao de Aeronavas LTDA. (ABA). Based in the city of Barreiras, it focuses on agricultural aerial application customers. Its team of 34 maintenance experts provides a one-stop shop for a wide range of services and solutions, including hot section inspections.

These facilities are part of P&WC's global expansion strategy and continuous initiatives to support customers. They aim to ensure operators in key markets have ready access to comprehensive in-country expertise, and resources such as spare parts and tools.

The Designated Maintenance Facilities have made a strong customer support lineup in Brazil even stronger, complementing seven field support representatives (FSRs), two regional sales managers (RSMs), two customer managers (CMs), Mobile Repair Teams (MRTs) and a parts distribution centre in Sorocaba.

"Our Designated Maintenance Facility network is about heightening P&WC's ability to deliver high levels of rapid, seamless customer service and support. Similar designated facility arrangements are also being considered in Africa, China, India and other regions. The new facilities for Brazil's agricultural market demonstrate our continued investment and ongoing commitment to its rapidly growing customer base. "

- SONIA MERBOUH, SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, SERVICE NETWORK MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY, P&WC

Increasing Access in Remote Regions

ABA's appointment translates into increased reach and faster turnaround times for customers, especially those in remote regions.

The benefits of ABA's presence were highlighted during a recent intervention. On October 6, ABA received a call on from Imagem Aviação Agrícola, an agricultural aviation company located in Sao Jose do Rio Prato, in the southwest of Brazil. They were about to receive a recently serviced Air Tractor PT6 engine and were operating on a tight schedule. They needed to have it installed without delay.

"As a P&WC Designated Maintenance Facility, our mission is to return customers' engines to service as fast as possible. In this case, due to the time constraints, we decided to use our own aircraft to transport our team and tools."

- GUSTAVO MONTEIRO MONASTÉRIO, TECHNICAL MANAGER, ABA

By flying direct, the team avoided the complications and delays that a commercial flight involving multiple connections would have caused.

“The maintenance crew immediately prepared the tooling and maintenance instructions in order to start engine installation first thing the next morning. By mid-afternoon the following day, the engine was ready for a ground run,” explains Gustavo.

After the ground test, the mechanics made some minor adjustments and the plane was ready for a flight test, which went off without a hitch. The aircraft was back in service 24 hours later.

This fast response and turnaround time was only possible because of local, on-the-ground support from ABA.

Tailoring Technical Support to Aircraft Operators' Needs

Thanks to its first-hand knowledge of the Brazilian aviation landscape and the support provided by P&WC local field operations professionals, ABA is also able to share practical information, which is aligned with operators' specific needs and circumstances.

In October, for instance, P&WC FSR Marcelo Feitosa presented a seminar for PT6A agricultural application operators. Fifty technicians and pilots from 12 different companies gathered at ABA's hangar for the meeting.

"The P&WC technical seminar held by ABA provided useful information for our company, in order to have more reliable engines and bring down our operational costs "

- CLAUDIA BRUNETTA, OWNER, AMAZON AEROAGRÍCOLA

The three-hour seminar included updates on PT6A engines and on various support solutions (including Onsight and Oil Analysis Technology), along with maintenance tips on fuel nozzle care, compressor erosion prevention, washing and preserving engines, and more.

"The customer feedback we received was that they really appreciated the experience and the insights provided by Marcelo, who shared key information about P&WC's services and the PT6A engine. These kinds of outreach activities are really important to us, especially now that we are a part of the P&WC Designated Service Network. "

- RUDDIGGER ALVES DA SILVA, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, ABA

Truly an excelente trabalho by ABA.