Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed support-by-the-hour contracts with Chinese group GDAT to support the Makila engines powering its fleet of Airbus H225 helicopters and the Arrano engines powering GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) H160 helicopters. The two contracts cover in-service support and MRO for 140 Arrano 1A and Makila 2A1 engines. Safran Helicopter Engines China will manage the contracts.
“We are particularly proud that a leading helicopter company like GDAT Group has placed its trust in us for the operational follow-up and MRO of its engines,” said Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet. “GDAT Group has an ambitious fleet development strategy, and we're going to support them with the best possible services for their success.”
GDAT lays claim as China's leading “low-altitude economy” company, operating the largest H225 fleet in the country. It provides helicopter rescue, transport, offshore transport, and aerial work missions. Founded in 2012 and based in Shanghai, GDAT controls subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Suzhou, and Ningbo.
GDHF is a start-up helicopter leasing and finance company based in Dublin, Ireland. It plans to build a large portfolio of new-technology, efficient, cost-effective, multi-mission helicopters—including the Arrano-powered H160—and lease them to customers globally.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Safran Signs Helicopter Engine Support Contracts with Chinese Group GDAT

Contracts cover in-service support and MRO for 140 Arrano 1A and Makila 2A1 engines

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed support-by-the-hour contracts with Chinese group GDAT. 

Safran Signs Helicopter Engine Support Contracts with GDAT

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

FBO operator is looking to attract a major maintenance provider

Sheltair Unveils MRO Hangar at Tampa International 

Charlotte Bailey

Oklahoma maintenance facility to strengthen U.S. support for P.180 Avanti

Baykar Taps Intercontinental Jet Service as Piaggio MRO

Amy Wilder

Acquisition boosts U.S. service coverage

Bombardier Acquires Velocity Maintenance Solutions

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Installations available at Ohio and Florida facilities

Toledo Jet Authorized as Starlink Dealer, Installer

Charles Alcock

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

U.S. supply chain specialist has doubled its facility at Seletar Aerospace Park

FDH Boosts Asia-Pacific Distribution Hub in Singapore 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Improvements will help support for CFM Leap-1A/1B turbofans 

GE Invests $300 Million in Singapore Engine Repair Shop

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

In this article

Safran Helicopter Engines

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Sheltair Unveils MRO Hangar at Tampa International

FBO operator is looking to attract a major maintenance provider

Baykar Taps Intercontinental Jet Service as Piaggio MRO

Oklahoma maintenance facility to strengthen U.S. support for P.180 Avanti

Bombardier Acquires Velocity Maintenance Solutions

Acquisition boosts U.S. service coverage

Toledo Jet Authorized as Starlink Dealer, Installer

Installations available at Ohio and Florida facilities

FDH Boosts Asia-Pacific Distribution Hub in Singapore

U.S. supply chain specialist has doubled its facility at Seletar Aerospace Park

GE Invests $300 Million in Singapore Engine Repair Shop

Improvements will help support for CFM Leap-1A/1B turbofans

Embraer Will Support Hungarian Air Force C-390s

Hungary has received both of its multi-role aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer

Banyan Adds King Air Maintenance at KSGJ Satellite Shop

King Air 90, 200 are added to HondaJet and Pilatus PC-12 capabilities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN