German HEMS operator DRF Luftrettung has become the first major customer to use Safran's Premium health monitoring service through Airbus Helicopters Helionix avionics. The health monitoring service for helicopter engines allows customers to track engine life data and reduce unplanned events. Engine life is improved through the early detection of low signals, prognosis analysis and maintenance plan customisation.

Safran's health monitoring will work with data downloaded through the Airbus H145 Helionix and H225 M-ARMS data collection systems. DRF Luftrettung will use this service in its Arriel 2E-powered H145.

CAMO manager Timo Demeter says: “We look forward to receiving expert engine support recommendations from Safran, as well as performance analysis tailored to our mission requirements. Premium health monitoring will have a positive impact on our maintenance costs and will optimise the availability of our fleet.”

Support and services executive VP for Safran Olivier Le Merrer adds: “We are proud to welcome DRF Luftrettung to our health monitoring users. The capacity to connect our service to H145 Helionix avionics and the demonstrated capacity to take care of H225 M-ARMS engine data will bring lots of benefits to our customers, and we are now ready to invite more of them to join this service. Over 350 operators have subscribed since its launch in October 2017.”

Health monitoring is available at the 'essential' level, where the customer is responsible for data collection and analysis, and 'premium' where maintenance recommendations by Safran experts are tailored to the customer's fleet, missions and usage rates. H145 Helionix and H225 M-ARMS enlarge the data collection systems compatible with Safran health monitoring services.

The service will be gradually rolled out through Airbus' data collection systems this year, subject to engine variants and organisation compatibility. New features will also be released throughout 2019 to continue to provide reactivity and autonomy to customers. The health monitoring service will be available online via the Safran Helicopter Engines customer portal.

DRF Luftrettung operates helicopters at 29 HEMS bases in Germany and at two bases in Austria for emergency rescue and for the transport of intensive care patients between clinics, at ten locations. It is also involved in the AP3 Luftrettung network at another base in Liechtenstein, and carries out worldwide patient retrievals with its own Learjet air ambulances. Crews including 570 emergency doctors, 170 pilots and 120 paramedics perform more than 40,000 missions every year.