Operator, repair station, service facility specializes in Bell, Hiller, and MD Helicopters aircraft.
Salem, Virginia–based Summit Helicopters opened its doors in 1980 with a governing philosophy of performing quality work in a timely manner at fair prices. For more than 40 years, the company has defined its niche in the market operating a variety of Bell aircraft in aerial applications, firefighting, power-line and pipeline inspection, construction projects, external longline operations, and charter operations.
Summit maintains certificates under FAA Part 145 (repair station), Part 137 (agricultural aircraft operations), Part 135 (air carrier), and Part 133 (external load). It operates Bell 205A-1++, 206B-3, 206L-1, and 206L-4 helicopters, Hiller UH-12ET helicopters, and a King Air 200C turboprop aircraft.
Maintenance and Repair Services
The company has built a strong maintenance repair facility that performs everything for customers from answering a technical question to crafting one-of-a-kind aircraft completions. Summit’s FAA repair station is also a Bell customer service facility and an MD Helicopters–approved service center, allowing the company to maintain, repair, overhaul, and refurbish a variety of helicopters, including the Bell 204, 205, 206B, 206L, 212, 407, 412, 429, 505, Huey II, OH-58, and UH-1 and the MD Helicopters 500 and 600 series.
In addition to Bell and MD aircraft, Summit is one of a handful of repair stations experienced and outfitted to repair and overhaul the Hiller UH-12 series of aircraft.
All Summit mechanics receive factory training from Bell, ensuring that staff is up-to-date on the latest maintenance practices and procedures and can perform all routine maintenance, annuals, and other scheduled inspections. Additionally, the company prides itself on troubleshooting issues many shops can’t address. Summit specializes in work ranging from sheet-metal repair to component changes as well as main- and tail-rotor track and balance using the Honeywell VXP System.
Summit’s maintenance technicians have years of experience overhauling the dynamic components that make up the Bell and MD Helicopters fleet of aircraft, from transmissions to tail-rotor gearboxes. The staff includes Level 2 technicians trained in magnetic particle inspection in accordance with ASTM E1444 and fluorescent penetrant inspection procedures in accordance with ASTM E1417, both nondestructive testing methods. This capability allows Summit to perform most overhaul work in-house and greatly reduces aircraft downtime and overhaul expenses on customer components.
Parts Sales
Summit also stocks thousands of genuine Bell and MD Helicopters parts and provides logistics support for customer fleets. The company maintains an international network of contacts that aids in locating hard-to-find parts.
