Dallas Airmotive's (DAI) Lafayette, Louisiana facility is being designated as a key support arm for component repair and exchange. Investments in new technology and equipment will enable the facility to expand its support to additional rotor wing engines and also adding fixed wing engine types.

Well known for its component repair capabilities for the Rolls-Royce Model 250 engine, the Lafayette facility is planning to add PT6A/T, JT15D and PW300/PW500 component repair capabilities during the upcoming year. In addition to direct customer support, the Lafayette facility also supports nine Regional Turbine Centers in the U.S.A. and Europe. The Lafayette Facility is likewise becoming integral to overhaul shop support for the company's main overhaul facilities in Dallas, TX, Neosho, MO and Portsmouth, England. Both Neosho and Portsmouth locations are Rolls-Royce 250 Authorized Maintenance Centers (AMC) and part of the Rolls-Royce FIRST Network.

Lafayette's existing equipment includes modern special processing capabilities such as plasma spray, welding, non-destructive testing and machining the facility is being upgraded to also provide vacuum brazing, heat treat and CNC machining /grinding equipment. Lafayette's mainstream of capabilities includes combustion liners, hot section transition ducts, vane and stationary airfoil assemblies, supports and casings.

"Our Lafayette facility is ideally located to serve the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas exploration service companies," said Dallas Airmotive President and CEO Hugh McElroy (pictured, right). "In addition, Lafayette is well positioned to serve our network of engine R&O locations supporting both commercial and military customers."

"Our valued employees at Lafayette turned in an extraordinary performance last year despite the disruptions of two hurricanes," continued McElroy. "They met all their internal goals and did so with very high levels of quality. Our new investments in technology will further enhance our performance at Lafayette making it a key resource for component repair and exchange world wide."

Increasingly there is a need for support of military engines including the T700 for which both of DAI's affiliates, Premier Turbines and H+S Aviation, are qualified. These companies are also fully equipped to overhaul the T63/T703, which are military variants of the Model 250. Lafayette will serve to support these programs in addition to its commercial business.

Lafayette is FAA and EASA approved as well as ISO 9001:2000 certified. It is maintained under the OEM authorizations held by Dallas Airmotive thus assuring customers that their components are returned to factory specification.

Dallas Airmotive (DAI) is a Rolls-Royce AMC (Authorized Maintenance Center) for the Model 250 and a Pratt & Whitney Canada DOF (Designated Overhaul Facility) for the PT6T. Overhaul for the Model 250 is accomplished at the company's Premier Turbines division in Neosho, Missouri and DAI's affiliate H+S Aviation in Portsmouth, England. PT6T major repair and overhaul plus component overhaul and exchange is performed at the company's Dallas, Texas facility. Engine module repairs and overhaul are carried out at DAI's Phoenix, Arizona and Dayton, Ohio Regional Turbine Centers. Component repair and exchange services are available through all company locations including the Lafayette facility.

FMI: www.dallasairmotive.com, www.bba-aviation.com