OEM Speak - Bell is NO. 1 in product support

SP’s Airbuz (SP’s): Where does India stand in the priority of Bell Helicopter?

Max E. Wiley (Wiley): We have been in India since the early 1990s. India is one of our top three countries strategically.

SP’s: What collaborations do you have in India?

Wiley: We try to support and be a facilitator of cooperation. We have our presence in the US-India Business Chamber and Rotary Wing Society of India. We have a role in the liaison between the US’ Federal Aviation Administration and India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

SP’s: Who are your major clients in India?

Wiley: Some of our major clients are HCC, Deccan Aviation, Reliance, Global Vectra, Heligo Charters and Pawan Hans.

SP’s: Who are your major competitors in India?

Wiley: Eurocopter, Kamov, Augusta Westland, Boeing and Khazan are our competitors in India.

SP’s: What are the maintenance and supply chain management facilities Bell offers in India?

Wiley: Bell helicopter is rated No. 1 in product support. In India, we have customer service facilities in Mumbai and Bangalore. There is a central supply for Bell Asia at Singapore.

SP’s: Apart from India, who are your other Asian clients?

Wiley: Japan, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, to name a few.

SP’s: Why are Bell’s training facilities restricted to the US?

Wiley: We would like to expand our centres of excellence out of the US and have more in South Asia. These would include customising overhaul facilities and pilot training. Negotiations with CAE in Bangalore for training in-flight simulation for transition and recurrent training are on.

SP’s: Do you feel the lack of helipads and fixed-base operators for helicopters in India?

Wiley: This is a part of evolution for civil aviation (as experienced) in any country. Flight standards also mean good air space management. Strategically located helipads are essential for the growth of the helicopter industry. I am sure all will happen in good time.

SP’s: Are there times when business booms in India?

Wiley: Definitely. All Bell helicopters were working during the elections. There were no extras during that period.

SP’s: What are the existing concerns of helicopter pilots in India?

Wiley: Two major concerns are in-country training and disproportionate levels of compensation between fixed wing and rotary wing pilots. These need to be looked into.

SP’s: How reliable is a Bell helicopter?

Wiley: Ten on 10. We work hard to manufacture a reliable, safe, easy to maintain and easy to fly helicopter. We provide the best manufacturer’s training in the world—more than one lakh students in 120 countries around the globe is a great achievement.