Eurocopter after sales
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Switzerland
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EC after sales
EC has had very buoyant years of manufacturing and selling new helicopters (Lakota and Super Pumas especially), so they have concentrated their manpower on those programs. The spin off has been a lack of resources and personnel in being able to support existing and legacy products. Also, their lack of orders for traditional AStars and Dauphins have caused a severe slow up production orders with their sub-vendors. Imagine a situation where an OEM was producing 250 servo actuators a year for the Marignane production line, but based on new sales forecasts, they now only need 10 annually, that creates a loss making proposition for the OEM as low manufacturing rates don't make money.
Then there's a factor called loyalty. If you look at the vendors on the new EC175, many traditional EC vendors have not been successful in getting their products selected for the new helicopter, so their commercial interest in keeping EC happy is less important than before. Call it commercial obsolescence if you like.
Legacy support has become the domain of the aftermarket specialists, the OEM distributors, maintenance centers and small niche companies who understand what customer service is. I know this, because that's what I do for a living. EC make great helicopters, however, you need to develop your own network to get customer support and build up personal contacts who understand what you need as an operator.
Then there's a factor called loyalty. If you look at the vendors on the new EC175, many traditional EC vendors have not been successful in getting their products selected for the new helicopter, so their commercial interest in keeping EC happy is less important than before. Call it commercial obsolescence if you like.
Legacy support has become the domain of the aftermarket specialists, the OEM distributors, maintenance centers and small niche companies who understand what customer service is. I know this, because that's what I do for a living. EC make great helicopters, however, you need to develop your own network to get customer support and build up personal contacts who understand what you need as an operator.
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Rabina - You are quite right in saying that the solution (in practical terms and especially for the smaller operators) is to be found through aftermarket specialists. Luckily in Europe and America these can usually be found to some degree. In other parts of the world this option isn't always available.
I am wondering, you have your location advertised as Switzerland. Well, there's this guy in Switzerland with an EC120 which is going through a 12 year overhaul and he needs some support, perhaps you could assist him! His contact is: richard08h
I am wondering, you have your location advertised as Switzerland. Well, there's this guy in Switzerland with an EC120 which is going through a 12 year overhaul and he needs some support, perhaps you could assist him! His contact is: richard08h
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: sion, switz
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no company can ultimately suceed if it does not have products the market will noy buy. If Eurocopter had an efficient spares such there were not hangars all over the world with AOG Eurocopters there machines would get used more and they would ultimately win when choices were being made as to which manufacturer to buy and then sell more spares. The cost of non perishable spares is minimal compared to the huge staff employed writing each other memo's and dealing with the same subject for the same client.
Airbus part of the same company understands that too well that if it is not as good as Boeing it does not get chosen again-and they are good.
Eurocopter just get the second rate team.
Airbus part of the same company understands that too well that if it is not as good as Boeing it does not get chosen again-and they are good.
Eurocopter just get the second rate team.
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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waiting for EC120 parts
and just when you thought it could not get worse...
Eurcopter now say they have delays in shipping due to US customs worried about military parts getting shipped...looks like the guy at Eurocopter dealing with export documentation must be on holiday
Eurcopter now say they have delays in shipping due to US customs worried about military parts getting shipped...looks like the guy at Eurocopter dealing with export documentation must be on holiday
richard08h
This is interesting. My 1800TT EC120 went for its 12 year inspection in early March. It's still there and is likely to be for another month or so. The main issue is the MRGB which has suffered corrosion and needs to be replaced/repaired.
My issue, apart from the protracted delay and the €80k bill for an exchange unit, is that the maintenance organisation conducting the 12 year has found corrosion on the MRGB case on every one of the ten 120s that it has inspected. One of these ten is owned by a chum; his machine has fewer than half the hours of mine and has lived in a de-humidified, heated hangar all of its life. In his case, it was only after a week of discussion (argument) with the "ECF Dynamics Expert" at EC, that it was finally accepted that a replacement wasn't necessary
Clearly, there is an issue in the production process and/or materials used in this component. I sort of understand that EC's priorities lie with the large corporates, but if enough of the 'little guys' get together, they may have sufficient critical mass to get up to some mischief. After all, isn't the private owner/small operator one of the key markets for the EC120? If so, it needs to keep them happy!!
Richard - would be happy to swap notes if you want to PM me with your contact details..
TTB
This is interesting. My 1800TT EC120 went for its 12 year inspection in early March. It's still there and is likely to be for another month or so. The main issue is the MRGB which has suffered corrosion and needs to be replaced/repaired.
My issue, apart from the protracted delay and the €80k bill for an exchange unit, is that the maintenance organisation conducting the 12 year has found corrosion on the MRGB case on every one of the ten 120s that it has inspected. One of these ten is owned by a chum; his machine has fewer than half the hours of mine and has lived in a de-humidified, heated hangar all of its life. In his case, it was only after a week of discussion (argument) with the "ECF Dynamics Expert" at EC, that it was finally accepted that a replacement wasn't necessary
Clearly, there is an issue in the production process and/or materials used in this component. I sort of understand that EC's priorities lie with the large corporates, but if enough of the 'little guys' get together, they may have sufficient critical mass to get up to some mischief. After all, isn't the private owner/small operator one of the key markets for the EC120? If so, it needs to keep them happy!!
Richard - would be happy to swap notes if you want to PM me with your contact details..
TTB
Join Date: Aug 2012
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I just went through a 12 year on my EC-130 and was surprised how smoothly it went. After a full avionics upgrade to glass and an extensive 12 year I am back in the air. The shop I did it with is Advanced Helicopter Services in Woodland, CA and they have an extensive inventory which I think played a big part. Overall an enjoyable experience for this private owner!
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Yup! They did a great job. I am still waiting on the GTN 650 and 750. My very strict local fsdo is working on an approval process without the type specific STC. But they did a great job with the G500H, ESI-2000, traffic, XM, and all the trimmings. I just had to have my 430 waas upgraded. I am enjoying the aircraft as is for now and in November I am going to give it back for the rest of the work to be completed. I had to purchase the GTN 650 and 750 from Garmin in order to get their rebate program. Was a pretty good deal in the end...just sucks that there are like $30,000+ sitting on the shelf. I have put 12 hours on her in 3 days. Can't get enough! 
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It is said in some circles that every EC part costs $50,000 or more. That's the bad news. The good news is that even if you have the $50,000, you cant get the part! 
That's the good news? 
I'm going to contact all the EC120 owners, particularly those who have been stung by the extraordinarily high cost of replacing components that simply should not need replacing during the 12 year inspection. We'll see if we can get enough critical mass to make our combined voice heard in the corridors of EC!
If you're interested in being involved, please PM me; I've been making such a racket personally, I'm told that EC is now formally investigating the manufacturing process/material for the MRGB corrosion problem. If that's true, there may be a benefit for all those affected, past and future.
I'm going to contact all the EC120 owners, particularly those who have been stung by the extraordinarily high cost of replacing components that simply should not need replacing during the 12 year inspection. We'll see if we can get enough critical mass to make our combined voice heard in the corridors of EC!
If you're interested in being involved, please PM me; I've been making such a racket personally, I'm told that EC is now formally investigating the manufacturing process/material for the MRGB corrosion problem. If that's true, there may be a benefit for all those affected, past and future.
As ec are terminally deaf to any problems with the products/services they provide...
Ec 225 mgb shafts, AS365 tgbs awfully manuals
do you honestly think a dozen private owners will have any effect?
Vote with your feet and buy something else....
Ec 225 mgb shafts, AS365 tgbs awfully manuals
do you honestly think a dozen private owners will have any effect?
Vote with your feet and buy something else....
As ec are terminally deaf to any problems with the products/services they provide...
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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MGB replacement from Eurocopter US
over 4 weeks late in shipping a replacement MGB because someone forget to ask for an export licence-anybody would have thought they were a start up lacking experience-
Latest fiasco: the (only certified) supplier of EC120 MRGBs to EC has allegedly just gone bust. EC has no spare units, so if your 12 year is imminent, it's very likely you will be grounded for a long time...
I've written to EC's new CEO, Guillaume Faury, plus a couple of the EVPs, asking what EC intends doing about it. If you'd like me to add your name to the 5 other incredibly frustrated owners, please PM me.
I've written to EC's new CEO, Guillaume Faury, plus a couple of the EVPs, asking what EC intends doing about it. If you'd like me to add your name to the 5 other incredibly frustrated owners, please PM me.