The Brazilian company IAS, the largest maintenance complex for high-tech repairs, engine overloading and aeronautical components in Latin America, participated in the HELI XP 2021 in São Paulo, an event focused mainly on the rotary wing market.
Headquartered in Belo Horizonte (MG), the company is currently focused on the work of nationalizing the maintenance of turbomachines and their accessories, electromechanical components and structures. During the celebration of the Heli XP 2021, Infodefensa.com interviewed the director of the company, Elisha Alcantara.
What products and services did IAS highlight in its rotary wing portfolio at Heli XP?
For a segmented rotary wing aviation fair, we flagged the certification in the category AMROC (Authorized Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Center) for engines Rolls Royce M250, being the only maintenance center with this specialty in Latin America. For Rolls Royce engines RR300, in addition to the certification granted by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the technical capacity of the company is recognized by Villain, which makes IAS the only authorized center in Latin America to perform the inspection / repair of the starter generator that equips the engine Rolls-Royce RR300 of the helicopter Robinson R66. This service authority recognized by the manufacturer Rolls Royce, in addition to supporting the company in the region, has also opened markets that strengthen relations between Brazil and countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, among others. We are importing engines from this manufacturer for overloading, repairs and maintenance here in Brazil, including for the Air Forces.
What capabilities does IAS meet to be classified as a Strategic Defense Company, thus becoming one of the largest players in this market in Brazil?
IAS was born in military aviation, grew up to enter the general aviation market and today we are entering commercial aviation. We work supporting the Brazilian Air Force in the maintenance of various critical components such as aircraft engines and related systems such as the Hercules C-130, the Northrop F-5E Tiger II, AH-2 Saber and A-1 AMX. In the Brazilian Navy we already support the AF-1A/B Falcon (A-4 Skyhawk II) and we also provide timely support to EBrazilian Army. Currently, we have expanded our operations outside of Brazil, supporting the Kazakh Air Force. IAS is currently an essential support for national forces on land, sea and in the air.
The IAS integration and test benches are of our own design and manufacture. How has the company achieved this technological dominance?
Through cutting-edge research and development carried out by highly trained Brazilian engineers, developments that involved partnerships with universities and centers of excellence, working hand in hand with our engineering and product development / creation center. We have taken the lead and today we are independent, we do not depend on foreign technologies to support our clients in the country. We have developed and built our test benches, our integration benches, all our hardware and various other state-of-the-art resources necessary to ensure excellence in our services.
IAS launches its Extension III, the construction of which has already begun. What’s next in terms of high technology with this job?
Extension III, the construction of which is in the earthmoving phase, should be completed in the second half of 2022 and, when delivered, will make available sophisticated R&D facilities focused on restricted technologies, such as obtaining special metal alloys, the biggest secret of air engine manufacturers. IAS cannot and does not want to be held hostage by other countries or foreign technologies, and the way to attack this is with the extensive development of 100% national technologies, from project to construction / certification / homologation. We are investing heavily in high technology, we cannot yet report the amounts committed, but without a doubt the return will be very gratifying because we will have a high technology park specialized in the repair of sophisticated components of air engines such as discs, diffusers, shafts, etc. We can master the core, the heart of an air engine.
Could the final objective of this investment be to obtain a 100% Brazilian aircraft engine in the future?
That is our great ideal at IAS, and as a practical example of this dream I can cite the third largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft in the world, Embraer, which is Brazilian and it would be unique to see the aircraft of this great company equipped with engines designed and manufactured in Brazil for Brazilians, and IAS believes that this is possible in the near future, because Brazilians are creative, capable and innovative.
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