Date: 28.08.2024
In recent years, we have witnessed that Czech companies operating in the field of military and aerospace technologies are expanding abroad and acquiring renowned specialists or companies, thus becoming global players in their fields. One of such companies is Helicopter Alliance, a relatively new joint-stock company with its headquarters in Prague, which focuses on comprehensive operation and modernisation of the world-famous UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
Helicopter Alliance is a joint-stock holding company that includes six companies from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the USA under its wings. The companies are Ace Aeronautics, U.S. Aviation Training Solutions, Czech Aviation Services, European Air Services, Slovak Training Academy and Heli Company. Some of them are already very well known and established in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, also thanks to projects from the recent past or present. Helicopter Alliance, for example, is currently providing aerial firefighting in the Czech Republic with its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Mělník and Přerov bases, based on a Framework Agreement with the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic for the provision of an aerial firefighting module in the years 2024-2027, with possible use under the EU Rescue Programme. The same service with UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Alliance helicopters is also provided on a contractual basis in Cyprus and negotiations are also underway to provide aerial firefighting services in Italy. It is certainly not without interest that in the summer months the Czech Republic deployed helicopters under the Rescue EU programme to assist with fires in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, and the UH-60 Black Hawk deployed in both destinations was one of the Helicopter Alliance machines.
Helicopter Alliance began taking shape in 2023, owned by Czech industrialist Jaroslav Strnad, who holds 91 percent of the shares, along with three minority shareholders from the US and the Czech Republic. The acquisition of Ace Aeronautics in early 2024 was an important step for the company's current operations and future projects. Ace Aeronautics was until recently a small development company that in a short period of time has transformed into a full-service provider for UH-60 helicopters in the areas of procurement, repairs, conversions and upgrades as well as spare parts supply. Thanks to synergies with other companies in areas such as training, customized special equipment, aviation services, etc., Helicopter Alliance today offers globally unique capabilities and services for the very extended family of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to civilian and military users. In addition, in the future Helicopter Alliance will be integrated into CE Industries, one of the largest industrial holding groups in the Czech Republic and Central Europe. It will thus gain a solid background of a strong Czech industrial group.
Helicopter Alliance focuses on the UH-60 Black Hawk family of helicopters, primarily the A and L versions. The need for service support, upgrades, conversions and special equipment is great and growing. Thousands of Black Hawks have been produced since the first Black Hawks entered service in 1979, with Sikorsky producing its 5000th example last year. In that time they have been operated by security forces in 35 countries, not to mention the number of civilian users. That the UH-60 is still a promising type is evidenced, for example, by the recent announcement by the US Army, which operates around 2,000 of them, that it plans to use the platform until the horizon of 2070.
With more than 100 Black Hawks in service in Europe, it is not without interest that the only Black Hawks with civilian registrations in Europe are operated by Helicopter Alliance. The UH-60 helicopters have a wide range of applications, serving in civil, military and police forces for transporting cargo and people, for SAR and CSAR missions, for aerial crane operations, aerial firefighting, VIP transport, special forces, as well as for the needs of the entertainment and film industry, etc. For users in all these areas, the Helicopter Alliance holding companies are able to provide the acquisition of the helicopters themselves, the adaptation to their needs in their own production facilities thanks to their own know-how, as well as services for their operation throughout their life cycle, upgrades including digital avionics and "glass cockpit", training of flight and ground personnel, and also design and prepare special equipment.
New life for the legendary UH-60 Black Hawk
As already mentioned, Helicopter Alliance specializes in the UH-60A and UH-60L versions. Thanks to its comprehensive modernization program, the older UH-60s are becoming full-fledged modern helicopters with the ability to operate reliably for the next 20-30 years. Upgrade processes can include the installation of a range of completely new components and assemblies to meet user needs. Thanks to its robust design, the UH-60 airframe, unlike other machines, has no operational limits in terms of flight hours or number of years spent in service. Thus, when operated in accordance with approved procedures and prescribed maintenance, the UH-60 can be operated for decades. It is no exaggeration to say that these upgraded helicopters are getting a second life, in which they are demonstrating capabilities in many respects comparable to the new S-70M Black Hawk machines at about one-third the cost. A major advantage of these upgraded helicopters is also the relatively short delivery time. Due to the increasing need to replace older helicopters, especially in countries that have used Soviet or Russian equipment, waiting times for new machines direct from the manufacturers are now in the order of years. Helicopter Alliance is able to deliver tailor-made helicopters in a matter of months, depending of course on their equipment and the requirements of specific users.
In addition, Helicopter Alliance is a partner of Sikorsky, which manufactures the UH-60 helicopters. From the point of view of users, the two companies are therefore very complementary. Helicopter Alliance has also passed the US CFIUS approval process without reservation, which has enabled it to incorporate Ace Aeronautics, which is a strategic company in the eyes of the US authorities, into its structure and can also trade in UH-60 helicopters and carry out modifications, upgrades, etc. In general terms, it can be said that Helicopter Alliance directly in the USA provides the purchase of UH-60s from the US Army, as well as conversions and complex upgrades and also training. Helicopter Alliance companies operating in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are responsible for servicing and ensuring the operational cycle of the machines, including the supply of spare parts, training and upgrading of avionics and the installation of special equipment directly at the customers' sites, plus aerial services (e.g. aerial firefighting, crane, cargo transport, etc.).
Reference projects in Europe include, for example, the ongoing modernisation of UH-60 helicopters in the Austrian Army's arsenal, or the additional installation of special mission equipment based on customer requirements on UH-60 helicopters for Croatia, carried out by the Czech Air Service Company. Helicopter Alliance has also serviced and operationally supported the Black Hawk helicopters of the Portuguese Air Force and delivered UH-60 helicopters to the Ukrainian Intelligence Service. The training programme for Afghan Air Force UH-60 pilots conducted in cooperation with US partners at the Slovak Training Academy is also well known in the media. Currently in Europe, Helicopter Alliance, through the Heli Company, operates four Black Hawks, which are currently used primarily for aerial firefighting and training. In the USA, Ace Aeronautics specialists are working on a further thirteen UH-60 A and L versions for specific customers.
The whole process of rebirthing older Black Hawks for new customers has several phases. The acquisition of helicopters from the US Army is done under the BEST programme. Under this program, Ace Aeronautics has the option to purchase Army Black Hawk helicopters that have been maintained by U.S. Army professionals and have a documented complete service and history. After that, Ace Aeronautics specialists will conduct a complete sophisticated inspection process of all helicopter systems including airframe, rotor blades, gensets or engines. These inspections, replacements and repairs are referred to as PMI I and PMI II (Phase Maintenance Inspection) and are performed in accordance with an approved maintenance program. All original avionics are also removed during this phase. This also includes the removal of the paint and application of a completely new paintwork to the customer's specification in the company's paint shop.
Next comes the installation of new or uprated GE-T700-701D turboshaft engines. However, the choice of engines always depends on the customer's wishes. Next, selected components and systems are integrated into the helicopter, and these can be the latest components and systems that are also installed on the latest Black Hawk helicopter designs that are just leaving the Sikorsky production line. Another very significant step may be the replacement of the original avionics with the all-new Ace Deck VL-60 digital cockpit, which is based on the Garmin G5000H system. This system may also be fitted to the latest version of the S-70M Black Hawk. Ace Deck VL-60 for UH-60 helicopters has been developed and certified by Ace Aeronautics in cooperation with Garmin, making it the only holder of certification for the Garmin G5000H fitment in the UH-60 in the world. Helicopter Alliance or its companies can also install special equipment in helicopters according to the requirements and ensure their certification. These include rappels (fast rope), on-board cranes, radios, firefighting tanks and other equipment.
Each helicopter that undergoes the Helicopter Alliance modernisation programme will receive a brand new airworthiness certificate and restricted category type certificate (RCTC) from the US FAA. This FAA-recognised certification base can then be adapted by regulatory aviation authorities around the world, whether they are civil authorities or Ministries of Interior or Defence. This certification process for operations in Europe has already been used in Slovakia, Austria and Portugal, for example. It is certainly not without interest that the Helicopter Alliance also intends to focus on Boeing/Vertol CH-47 Chinook helicopters in the future, offering a similar upgrade and life cycle support programme to that of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family.
Helicopter Alliance components
Let's take a closer look at the individual companies operating under the Helicopter Alliance umbrella.
Ace Aeronautics is based in Guntersville, Alabama, USA and is the flagship of the Helicopter Alliance. The company was purchased by the Helicopter Alliance from its founders, who continue to manage Ace Aeronautics. Founded in 2016, the company was initially primarily a development and technology firm offering various aviation technology solutions. However, it is now a globally operating firm specializing in the acquisition, upgrades, maintenance, sales and support of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Under the wings of Helicopter Alliance, their workforce has grown from three dozen to over eighty in a very short period of time and the company continues to grow. Ace Aeronautics, in partnership with leading avionics manufacturer Garmin, has developed the aforementioned Ace Deck VL-60 fully integrated digital cockpit that incorporates the latest in aviation technology.
U.S. Aviation Training Solutions (USATS) is based in Titusville, Florida, USA and is a well-known flight school. It offers a wide range of training programs from initial qualification courses for both aircraft and helicopters, refresher courses, pilot instructor courses, to test pilot and maintenance courses. The content of all programmes is tailored to the specific needs of customers and can be delivered on-site. USATS also provides basic, intermediate, and advanced training for U.S. Armed Forces and allied military helicopter pilots that is equivalent to training at U.S. Military Service flight schools.
Česká letecká servisní (ČLS) is based at Kbely Airport in Prague and became part of the Helicopter Alliance last fall. Founded in 1997, the company has been a leading provider of avionics solutions and specialty equipment for the military, security and civil market segments in Europe for both helicopter and aircraft throughout its existence. In the Czech Republic, the company has long cooperated with the state enterprise LOM Praha and has a number of contracts for the Czech Army through the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. ČLS is also an authorized representative of various global manufacturers such as Garmin, Collins Aerospace, Dynon Avionics, FLIR, L3Harris, Honeywell, Bendix King, Becker Avionics, Martin-Baker, Adams Aviation and others.
European Air Services (EAS) was established in 2012 and operates in Prague, Košice and Kuala Lumpur. The company is engaged in the training of pilots and ground personnel through its Slovak Training Academy (STA) training centre, as well as the sale of new and used helicopters and aircraft, while also offering expert advice and financing for purchases, as well as providing spare parts supply and maintenance of machines, aerial work and commercial air transport. An international team of experienced instructors is able to train a student with zero experience up to the level of a mission-ready pilot. Each phase of training is provided by different types of helicopters from STA's fleet, including Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk machines, which EAS operates as the only commercial entity in Europe. In 2019, EAS also built a new training centre for UH-60 Black Hawk and MD-530 helicopter mechanics in cooperation with the Technical University of Košice.
The Slovak Training Academy (STA) is a training centre operating at Košice Airport. It started its operations in 2017 and since the beginning it has been providing training for helicopter crews, as well as fixed wing aircraft, type training and also training of service specialists and ground personnel. Training can be tailored for civilian customers as well as military, police and other security forces. STA has an extensive fleet of helicopters and a top international staff of experienced pilots. The training is always adapted to the customer's requirements and usually consists of various modules that include theory, basic training, advanced training (e.g. night or high altitude flying), task training (e.g. mountain operations, search and rescue, rope work, etc.) and finally combat training. In addition to this, separate specialised courses are also offered to increase the pilots' qualifications.
Heli Company is also based at the airport in Košice and was founded in 2004. The company focuses on comprehensive flight training for helicopter and aircraft pilots as well as aviation maintenance training. It also provides type training for flight and ground personnel, simulator training and air transport, aerial firefighting and cargo transport or services for film productions. The company also provides maintenance services and operates a helicopter service centre, supplies spare parts and ensures the operation of helicopters throughout their life cycle. The Heli Company also provides training to Slovak Air Force pilots.