New Robinson Service Centre requirements?

[valve guide]

A few of us were talking in the pub the other night about the costs involved in setting up a service centre specifically for Robinson helicopters. Can anyone advise what tools would be the minimum requirement and an idea of the cost of such. It was just that we were wondering why most service centre send the "mags" away for overhaul, does the equipment cost fortunes, the same for spindle bearings etc. I know there will be specific tools that will be required by Robinson but any help would be great.

Thanks.

[J&K]

To become a 'Robinson Service Centre', you need to satisfy Robinson that you are capable of maintaining Robinson helicopters. They will give you a list of tools you require.

But really that's approaching it from the wrong direction. First (as you are in the UK), you will need an EASA Part 145 or Subpart F approval - but that's just the start. If you wish to extend that approval to include component overhaul - as you say, mags & spindle bearings - there's a whole other set of hoops to jump through (Pt-145 only - you can't get component overhaul approval under Subpart F).

What I respectfully suggest you're short of is an understanding of aircraft maintenance. If you're serious about starting a maintenance organisation, you need to speak to someone who does - perhaps your local CAA surveyor would be a good place to start.

Good luck