Better air power
January 1st 2007

Atlas Copco helps DARA keep Lynx helicopters in the air with flexible provision of compressed air that demonstrated a significant increase in energy savings Launched in 1999, the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) brought together the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency (MGDA) and the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO). DARA, later established as a Trading Fund in 2001, specialises in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of rotary and fixed wing aircraft, engines, avionics, systems and components.

Having met the Ministry of Defence requirements in the UK for over 60 years, DARA continues to provide quality and expertise, delivering added value for its customers and continuously seeking to improve the service, quality and value of its operations. Atlas Copco Compressors have had an important role to play in the achievement of that goal.

Since its launch, DARA has changed beyond recognition. Today, it offers the aero engineering expertise and ability to completely strip, replace, repair and rebuild everything from systems, components and equipment to whole aircraft, both for military and commercial organisations.

With centres of excellence based at St Athan in South Wales, Sealand in North Wales, Fleetlands, Gosport in Hampshire and Almondbank in Perthshire Scotland, DARA's specialised divisions are categorised as Fixed Wing, Rotary and Engines, Electronics and Components.

Following an internal review of existing work practices at the Fleetlands Rotary and Engines base, coupled with the winning of a major contract to repair, service and overhaul tri-service Lynx helicopters, it was decided by DARA to instigate a new method of servicing – a rolling assembly line similar to that employed in the car industry. To facilitate this concept, an existing stores building was converted into a new hangar to accommodate the operation. The required conversion work was carried out as a major project by the Fleetlands facilities management team.

Through the efforts of Winchester-based authorised distributor, Martlets Air Power, Atlas Copco compressed air equipment and associated pipework has played a vital role in the system upgrade and Martlets has been chosen as the preferred supplier of the compressed air contract.

The compressed air installation included two Atlas Copco GA 37 FFVSD compressors, together with all the relevant ancillary equipment. Because of the limited workshop space available, the primary consideration on this project was the need for small footprint equipment to be installed. An equally important factor, also affecting the ultimate choice, was the ability of the machines to be flexible in the provision of compressed air under the ever-changing load requirements. In turn, this capability allowed Martlets to demonstrate a significant increase in energy savings for the facility. The operation could be monitored easily and the savings calculated accurately because the service hangar was a stand-alone area, independent of the remainder of the site facilities.

The pipework installation on this project was unique in that it had to be planned to fit in with all the other service providers on a dedicated, custom-designed workstation within each helicopter bay on the assembly/transfer line.

Martlets Air Power report that the whole compressed air system installation was completed comfortably within the allotted time scale of the contract and, subsequently, the overall operation of the project has been deemed to be an success by all the parties involved in the upgrade project.

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