DRF Maintenance GmbH has inaugurated its new helicopter hangar in Straubing, Bavaria, Germany. The certified maintenance organisation proved its capabilities right from the start, successfully completing an extensive maintenance contract as its first major challenge. DRF Maintenance, part of DRF Luftrettung, is thus expanding its capacity for future maintenance and repair projects and offering tailor-made services for operators of private and public fleets – both in southern Germany and in neighbouring countries.
With the start of operations, DRF Maintenance is now ready to take on new orders. The first milestone was the comprehensive maintenance of an official helicopter as part of base maintenance – including software updates and detailed inspections of the engines and avionics.
As a certified EASA Part 145 maintenance organisation, the Straubing facility specialises in base maintenance services for the Airbus EC155 and H145 types. In future, it will also be able to service the H135. The infrastructure currently comprises besides of maintenance docks, modern workstations for complex maintenance work and workshops for sheet metal repairs and avionics. Operators benefit from short downtimes and the option of having modifications carried out.
The new location complements the DRF Maintenance service network, which already includes the maintenance facilities in Wilhelmshaven (Lower Saxony) and Rheinmünster at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (Baden-Württemberg) – the latter is one of the largest and most modern helicopter maintenance facilities in Europe. In addition to services for external customers, helicopters belonging to DRF Luftrettung from surrounding HEMS bases and ARA Flugrettung from Austria can also be serviced in Straubing.
‘The opening in Straubing is an important step – both for us and for our customers,’ emphasises Hendrik Schubien, Managing Director of DRF Maintenance GmbH. ‘It brings our service quality closer to them and at the same time enables more efficient processes.’ As part of DRF Luftrettung, DRF Maintenance benefits from over 50 years of experience in air rescue and maintenance. ‘This expertise remains at the heart of our quality promise,’ says Schubien.
DRF Maintenance GmbH is a certified maintenance organisation and part of DRF Luftrettung. Its range of services includes line and base maintenance, specialised workshops and individual modifications. In addition to comprehensive EASA approvals for maintenance and CAMO services, clients benefit from services from the Part-21 J and G development organisation of DRF Luftrettung, which develops and implements approved modifications for helicopters. The DRF Maintenance portfolio also includes solutions ranging from standardised maintenance services to tailor-made technical modifications for numerous models, including H155, EC155, H145, EC145, H135 and EC135. With high quality standards, state-of-the-art technical equipment and an experienced team, DRF Maintenance GmbH guarantees maximum safety and availability in aviation. The service network of DRF Maintenance GmbH includes helicopter maintenance facilities in Rheinmünster at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport, Wilhelmshaven and Straubing/Atting, which are easily accessible for national and international customers.