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

Amy Wilder

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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.

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Facility will serve growing global customer base

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Maintaining bizjets and commericial airliners at Long Island’s MacArthur Airport

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

System is designed to help pilots manage smoke-in-cockpit emergencies

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

In this article

Safran Helicopter Engines

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Tamarack Sets AirConnect Pricing ahead of FAA Cert

STC flight trials underway since March with two aircraft

Duncan Aviation Opens Expanded Turbine Engine Shop

Facility will serve growing global customer base

Completions: Highlighting the Best and the Latest

Completions shops showcase their latest projects

MRO Profile: Altus Aerospace, 31 Years and Counting

Maintaining bizjets and commericial airliners at Long Island’s MacArthur Airport

Klatt Works Appoints Duncan as SAVED Mask Dealer

System is designed to help pilots manage smoke-in-cockpit emergencies

Crewchief’s AI Tool Lets Users Do the Asking

Natural-language queries make valuable information instantly available

Cutter Earns FAA STC for Gogo Galileo on Pilatus PC-24

The company expects more authorizations to follow

Skyservice Expands Bombardier ASF Network to Vancouver

Move supports Global and Challenger business jet operators

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