Your Flight School’s Virtual Parts Department for Robinson Helicopters

“It’s not just anyone I will send $100,000 to,” says Jerry Tremble when speaking of his trusted multi-year relationship with Rotorcorp and the role we serve as his virtual Robinson Helicopter Parts Department. 

Helicopter training schools like the one found at Jerry Tremble Helicopters are an essential aspect of the aviation industry. They provide aspiring pilots with the necessary training to operate a helicopter and fill the dramatic shortfall of pilots to perform critical roles such as agricultural spraying, and public safety functions. 

To succeed, these operations require a significant investment in training equipment (helicopters and simulators), maintenance, and spare parts to ensure the tools of their trade are in optimal condition.

Virtualizing the parts department function is one way that helicopter training companies can reap substantial cost avoidance benefits while at the same time maintaining and growing their fast-paced operation.

The parts department is an essential aspect of any helicopter operation as it ensures that the necessary parts are available to maintain and repair the helicopters and to keep flying. After all, when a commercial aircraft is not flying it is not producing revenue. Managing a parts department, however, can be costly. The cost of purchasing and storing spare parts, as well as managing inventory, can quickly add up. Additionally, staffing a parts department can be expensive, as it requires specialized personnel and administrative support. This is not as simple as buying nuts and bolts from the local hardware store.

Virtualizing your parts department can be a cost-effective solution for helicopter training operations in two major ways:

1. They can take advantage of economies of scale, as specialized firms like Rotorcorp will have the resources to purchase parts in bulk (for their large customer base), reducing the overall cost. 
2. They manage inventory, handle the logistics of shipping and storage, and keep the records, all of which reduce the administrative burden on the flight school operation.

A virtual Robinson helicopter parts department also allows helicopter training operations to focus on their core competencies, such as training and safety, rather than managing parts. By outsourcing this function, the operation can redirect resources towards more critical aspects of the business, such as hiring more instructors or investing in training equipment and materials.

Another significant advantage of outsourcing the parts department is that it provides access to specialized expertise. Rotorcorp staff are trained and current on vendor lead times, which additional parts should be ordered with an overhaul kit, which parts are superseded by new parts, as well as current service bulletins. 

Finally, when you source your parts from a virtual parts department, you can gain greater flexibility in the helicopter training operation. By working with a Robinson helicopter parts specialist like Rotorcorp, your operation can adjust its inventory levels and parts ordering based on its needs. This flexibility can be particularly valuable for smaller operations that may experience fluctuations in demand.

In conclusion, virtualizing the parts department function is a cost-effective solution for helicopter training operations. By taking advantage of economies of scale, specialized expertise, and greater flexibility, helicopter training operations can focus on their core competencies and avoid the costs associated with managing a parts department. As a result, outsourcing can help helicopter training operations improve their bottom line and achieve long-term success in the aviation industry.