A roll-out ceremony was held upon completion of overhaul of first MI-171 helicopter of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Rotary Wing Centre of Excellence at 102 AED PAF Base Faisal. This was stated in a press release of Directorate of Media Affairs, PAF, here on Monday.
It said that the Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Mirza Zafar Hussain, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was received by Group Captain Arshad Khalil, Officer Commanding No 102 AED, PAF. The Officer Commanding No 102 AED highlighted the MI-171 helicopter history and its overhauling achievements at 102 AED, PAF. MI-171 helicopters were inducted in PAF in year 2002. MI-171 helicopter has a time between overhaul (TBO) of 1500 hrs.
The first PAF helicopter was inducted for overhaul in September 2007. The overhaul was jointly undertaken by a team of experts from 102 AED PAF Faisal and M/s Avia Export of Russia. Most of the inspections and structural repairs were under taken locally at rotary wing centre of excellence at 102 AED PAF Faisal.
However, some of the components were overhauled from M/s Avia Export of Russia. This achievement has further enhanced the capability of PAF for undertaking overhaul of yet another type of helicopter after Allouette III at PAF facilities.
In his address, the chief guest congratulated the officers of No 102 AED and lauded the efforts of M/s Avia Export. He added that without Russian experts support the accomplishment of this task could not have been possible.
Since most of the teething problems in setting up the General Overhaul facility has been resolved at No 102 AED, which also indicated the confidence of the depot in its professional depth, capabilities and potentials. The ceremony was also attended by Base Commander and senior officers of PAF Base, Faisal, the press release further pointed out.