Posted on 18th April, 2024
ZA137 was recently recovered from storage having last flown with the Royal Navy in November 2015. Prior to being sold to HeliOps in 2018, the aircraft was stored at HMS SULTAN in Gosport before relocating to our storage facility at Somerton near Yeovilton. The aircraft was moved to Portland in May 23 where the large maintenance package was carried out.
The maintenance package included a detailed examination of the aircraft’s structure and systems with subsequent repairs carried out to address the defects which were discovered. A large amount of anti-corrosion rectification was completed and several major components – including both engines and the undercarriage – were replaced.
On completion of the rectification work, each system was rigorously tested on the ground using specialist Test Equipment followed by more comprehensive multi-system testing during numerous Engaged Rotors Ground Runs. The aircraft finally completed its initial Test Flight just before Christmas 2023 which was also its first flight for over 8 years. The maintenance work took almost 3000 hours and 6 months to complete.
At the start of 2024 the aircraft had been operating in the local area in its unusual red and grey paint scheme before being re-painted to its new all grey finish.