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In the News - 2004
CEO Guest Editorial - Professional Pilot (July 2004) Cover Story - Rotor & Wing (June 2004)CEO Guest Editorial - Professional Pilot (March 2004) Current News Releases
SIKORSKY SALUTES KEYSTONE HELICOPTER'S 50TH S-76 COMPLETION
COATESVILLE, Pa., Keystone is the principal completion center for
Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. It performs customer options installation for
Sikorsky at its Pennsylvania “Heliplex”. The work includes installing avionics and unique equipment,
and completion of interiors and exteriors to suit customer needs. “Our utilization of Keystone’s custom
completion capability, the caliber of their workmanship, and their
responsiveness to changing and unique customer requirements, have
contributed significantly to the strength of our team, and the quality of
our product. ” said David J. Buonanno, Vice President of Material at
Sikorsky. “Keystone’s work in completing a first-class helicopter has
been exemplary.” S-76 helicopters built by Sikorsky receive
airworthiness certificates in a standard IFR-capable configuration at the Stratford, Conn. plant before delivery to Keystone's facility. The Keystone facility completes S-76s for all
roles, taking advantage of numerous Sikorsky options previously developed,
with Sikorsky’s continued technical support throughout the completion
process, as necessary. Keystone Helicopter employs nearly 500 people
in multiple locations. The company is FAA/JAA certified, with extensive
expertise and experience in maintaining, modifying, updating, completing,
overhauling and operating S-76 helicopters. The 50th aircraft is an Executive version
earmarked for delivery to Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co.,
Ltd. Deliveries of Keystone-completed S-76C+
helicopters began in 2000. Keystone's unique qualification as one of only 31
FAA Designated Alteration Stations worldwide facilitates certifications and
approvals of new aircraft configurations. The S-76 is the best combination of speed,
payload, range, cabin size, cost, and good looks in its size class. It is
currently selling into a wide array of applications that include traditional
mainstays of corporate executive transport and offshore oil as well as fast
growing segments like aeromedical and scheduled airline service. The S-76 is
well suited to government utility missions like homeland security, search
and rescue and light military roles. Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and
oldest helicopter services companies in the United States. Founded in 1953, Keystone operates a large technical services depot and
completion center near Philadelphia.
The firm also operates a large fleet of turbine helicopters in numerous
locations across several eastern states, primarily in the air medical
mission. Keystone Helicopter is owned by Keystone Ranger Holdings, Inc., a
Philadelphia-area private equity investment organization that specializes in
aviation-related ventures. Additional information is available on the Web
at: www.keystonehelicopter.com
and at www.rangeraerospace.com. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), of Hartford, Conn., which provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. KEYSTONE HELICOPTER ISSUES STCs WEST CHESTER, Pa., August 27, 2004 — Keytech, the engineering division of
Keystone Helicopter Corporation, has issued STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) No. SR01604NY-D for the installation of a
forward litter rack assembly on a Sikorsky S76A/B/C. This assembly, which
is just aft of the pilot/copilot seats, restrains two litters (Ferno Model 9A)
in a stacked configuration, allowing the transport of three patients, two
attendants, the pilot and copilot. Also for Sikorsky S76A/B/C series aircraft, Keytech has issued STC No. SR01606NY-D, approving the installation of an Artex C406-1HM ELT (emergency locating transmitter). The STC for this three-frequency transmitter, which operates on 121.5, 243.0, and 406.026 MHz, meets the applicability requirements of Canadian Air Regulations. In conjunction with Boston Med Flight, Keytech has issued STC No. SRO1121NY-D for the installation of an SX-5E Nightsun on an MBB-BK 117. The SX-5E is a lightweight, small xenon searchlight designed and certified for use as a search and landing light. David Ford, president of Keystone Helicopter, said, “Keystone Helicopter is one of only 31 FAA Designated Alteration Stations (DAS) worldwide. Our authorization as a DAS allows us to issue STCs under the auspices of the FAA, thereby enhancing their ability to provide timely services to the aviation community. The Keytech staff has issued more than a dozen STCs in just the first six months of 2004. We have 33 engineering professionals in this unique division.”Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest helicopter services companies in the United States. Founded in 1953, Keystone operates a large technical services depot and completion center near Philadelphia. The firm also operates a large fleet of turbine helicopters in numerous locations across several eastern states, primarily in the air medical mission. Keystone Helicopter is owned by Keystone Ranger Holdings, Inc., a Philadelphia-area private equity investment organization that specializes in aviation-related ventures. Additional information is available on the Web at: www.keystonehelicopter.com and at www.rangeraerospace.com. KEYSTONE HELICOPTER ONCE AGAIN AWARDED U.S. PARK POLICE HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WEST CHESTER, Pa., July 19, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an
industry leader in helicopter services for 51 years, is pleased to announce
that the U.S. Department of Interior has awarded them their third consecutive
contract to maintain the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit helicopters in
Washington D.C. Keystone Helicopter has been providing on-site maintenance for
the unit’s aircraft—currently two Bell 412s and a Bell 206L3—since 1989. Lt. Phil Cholak, aviation section commander, said,
“Keystone Helicopter’s outstanding service during our 15-year relationship
has enabled the USPP to fly hundreds of safe missions. We look forward to their
continued safe, high quality helicopter maintenance under this new contract.” David Ford, president of Keystone Helicopter, said, “The U.S. Park Police, in addition to being responsible for government parklands and medevac services, are deeply involved in Homeland Defense. We are pleased with the opportunity to continue providing helicopter maintenance to the Park Police, and we are gratified by their confidence in our work. Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest
helicopter services companies in the KEYTECH EXTENDS 3RD PARTY AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING SERVICES Keytech currently has a staff of 32 highly skilled
professionals that include degreed engineers, DERs, DARs, and an ODAR. These
engineers are equipped with the latest state of technology design software to
include a number of CATIA workstations. There are only a limited number
of independent DAS-qualified engineering organizations in the entire aviation
industry. Jim Munda, General Manager of Keytech, said: “In addition to supporting our own large
completion and refurbishment center, we have performed projects for major
airlines, aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, and numerous rotor-wing
and fixed-wing modification/ Keytech is a wholly owned business unit of the Philadelphia
investment consortium known as Keystone Ranger Holdings. Ranger Aerospace and
multiple venture capital companies comprise that syndicate. For more
information visit www.rangeraerospace.com. KEYSTONE HELICOPTER APPOINTS RALPH KUNZ VICE PRESIDENT-MRO SERVICES Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kunz was employed by ACRO Aerospace in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, where he most recently held the position of Vice President of Marketing and Sales , and prior to that was Program Director, Light Helicopter Group and had responsibility for MRO management of all Eurocopter, Rolls Royce and Turbomeca activities. Mr. Kunz also has held a variety of manufacturing, engineering and program management positions for Parker Hannifin, Loral Electro Optical Systems and Lockheed Services Co. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Cal State Polytech University and an MBA in International Business and Finance from the University of Southern California. Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest
helicopter services companies in the KEYSTONE
HELICOPTER HOSTS HUGE ARMY MULE
Keystone Helicopter CEO The monument will be erected in Highland Falls,
New York, just south of the main West Point entrance and across from the West
Point Museum, with the inscription: This monument honors all of the
intrepid mule riders since 1899 who promoted the indomitable spirit of the
Corps of Cadets. The West Point Class of 1954, Company M, 2nd
Regiment, and their friends, are dedicating the monument, created by the
renowned Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest
helicopter services companies in the KEYSTONE HELICOPTER PROMOTES DAVID FORD TO PRESIDENT With over 25 years in the rotorcraft and aerospace industries, Ford held senior management and technical positions with Bell Helicopter, Textron Lycoming and B/E Aerospace prior to being recruited to Keystone Helicopter in the mid-1990s. Ford holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a Master’s degree in Industrial Administration from Purdue University. Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said: “I am very pleased to make this promotion. David Ford has our full confidence and support. This orderly leadership transition is part of our overall strategy to grow the business.” Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest
helicopter services companies in the KEYSTONE HELICOPTER DIVISIONS EARN FAA'S DIAMOND AWARDS WEST CHESTER, Pa., April 5, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an
industry leader in helicopter services for 51 years, is pleased to announce
that the Helicopter Services Division and the Engine Services Division for the
third consecutive year have each received the FAA Diamond Award Certificate of
Excellence. The FAA awards this highest safety and training certificate to
those aviation companies who lead the industry in measurable commitment to
training; to qualify, a minimum of 25 percent of eligible employees must be
recipients of individual FAA training awards. Keystone Helicopter earned the
certificates with 81 of 152 eligible employees (53%) in the two divisions
receiving individual awards. Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said: “This is the eleventh consecutive year that Keystone Helicopter has received FAA certificates. Keystone Helicopter invests heavily in training, and we are pleased that our employees consistently avail themselves of these opportunities. We believe the certificates are a tangible validation of our total commitment to training, safety programs, and Total Quality performance enhancements.” Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest
helicopter services companies in the KEYSTONE HELICOPTER SIGNS MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH AMERICA RISING WEST CHESTER, Pa., March 15, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an
industry leader in helicopter services for 51 years, has signed an agreement
with America Rising to provide overhaul and repair services for the helicopter
airline’s fleet. America Rising is the only helicopter operator in the Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said about the
America Rising agreement: “We are extremely pleased to be working with this
high quality operator as they begin their new venture of providing scheduled
helicopter flights between major metropolitan areas. We look forward to a long
mutually beneficial association with America Rising.” Steve Walker, Chairman of America Rising, said: “We looked at a lot of different companies before deciding to work exclusively with Keystone Helicopter. We are very impressed by the quality and safety of their maintenance operation. We are excited about beginning our new helicopter airline services with the strong maintenance support we know we’ll receive from Keystone Helicopter.” America Rising/Glenwood Aviation, founded in 1999, provides helicopter charter
and maintenance services from its KEYSTONE HELICOPTER APPOINTS CHUCK HURDLESTON DIRECTOR - PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Prior to coming to Keystone Helicopter, Mr. Hurdleston was the northeast sales representative for UNC Airwork’s Rolls-Royce 250 series engines. A former Army helicopter pilot, he is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said, “ Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest
helicopter services companies in the KEYSTONE HELICOPTER EMPLOYEE RECEIVES FAA'S CHARLES TAYLOR "MASTER MECHANIC" AWARD WEST CHESTER, Pa., February 27, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an
industry leader in helicopter services for 51 years, is proud to announce that
long-time employee John Profico has earned the Federal Aviation
Administration’s Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” award. The award, named
in honor of the man who designed and built the engine for the Wright
brothers’ first successful aircraft, is presented to certificated mechanics
and repairmen who have worked in aviation for at least 50 years. Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone
Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said: “We are extremely proud of
John Profico’s accomplishment, especially since we believe he may be the
first recipient of this prestigious award who has worked exclusively on
helicopters. John came to Keystone Helicopter in 1956, three years after its
founding, and laid the foundation for our high degree of quality and safety by
which we are known.” The award, a certificate and a lapel pin, will be presented, to Mr. Profico during an FAA-approved four-hour IA Airworthiness Training and Workshop to be held at Keystone Helicopter’s West Chester facility on March 3, 2004. Sponsored by Keystone Helicopter, ISAMP and the Philadelphia FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO17), the event will feature Bill O’Brien, FAA National Resource Specialist from Washington D.C. FAA Headquarters. For more information about the course, contact Christ Leonard at 610-883-4431. KEYSTONE HELICOPTER EMPLOYEE HONORED BY U.S. PARK POLICE
WEST CHESTER, Pa., February 26, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an
industry leader in helicopter services for 50 years, is proud to announce that
the United States Park Police recently presented the Chief’s Certificate of
Appreciation to Keystone Helicopter aircraft maintenance technician Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said: “We are
very proud of our dedicated employees like KEYSTONE HELICOPTER WILL MAKE "HOUSE CALLS" WITH ITS NEW EMERGENCY ON-CALL SERVICES
WEST CHESTER, Pa., February 13, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an industry leader in helicopter services for 50 years, is pleased to announce the inauguration of the Keystone Helicopter Instant Service or KHIS (pronounced “kiss”) team. With one call to Keystone Helicopter, the KHIS team can be dispatched to the customer’s helicopter to provide on-site emergency services or repairs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. David Ford, COO of Keystone Helicopter said “We instituted this program as one more way for Keystone Helicopter to help our customers when they need us the most. We want to increase their in service time while helping them reduce the expense of after hours maintenance requirements. We will make “house calls”. The truck is a virtual “Mobile Maintenance Center” and will allow us to provide 24/7 on site emergency service—such as gear box and engine change-outs, avionics and mechanical troubleshooting, structural repairs—even aircraft recovery if necessary.” KEYSTONE HELICOPTER PILOT HONORED FOR SPECTACULAR ROOFTOP LANDING IN AFGHANISTAN TO PICK UP SUSPECTS
WEST CHESTER, Pa., January 28, 2004 —
Keystone Helicopter, an industry leader in helicopter services for 50
years, gave special recognition last week to pilot Larry Murphy for his recent
skillful rooftop landing of his CH-47 helicopter to pick up Afghan Persons
Under Custody during Operation Mountain Resolve in Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province. Murphy, a 10-year Keystone Helicopter EMS pilot at
Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is currently on active duty with Company G, 104th
Aviation Regiment.
Steve Townes, CEO of Keystone Helicopter and founder of Ranger Aerospace, said:
“We are extremely proud of these employees and the sacrifices they have made
in order to serve in the defense of our country at this time. We wish them well
and we look forward to the day when they will be back home and once again part
of the Keystone Helicopter workforce. In Larry Murphy’s case, the skill and
daring he showed on this mission were exemplary and inspiring.” |
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WEST CHESTER, Pa., May 25, 2004
— Keystone Helicopter, an industry leader in helicopter services for 51
years, has appointed Ralph Kunz to the position of Vice President –
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services. In this new position, Mr. Kunz
will oversee all aspects of Keystone Helicopter’s engine and airframe MRO
services. 
WEST CHESTER, Pa., March 12, 2004 — Keystone Helicopter, an
industry leader in helicopter services for 51 years, has promoted 
