Heli-Mart recently expanded its MD Helicopters support capabilities by purchasing an 80 percent stake in Phoenix Heliparts. As a result, Heli-Mart has added to its inventory Phoenix Heliparts’ FAA-approved repair station at Falcon Field (FFZ) in Mesa, Ariz., where support of MD Helicopters ranges from routine maintenance to complete repair and restoration.

Key executives with Heli-Mart and Phoenix Heliparts have had long associations with MD Helicopters and its predecessor companies, and many of them are here at Heli-Expo publicly stating their desire to help MD regain its former status as a top helicopter manufacturer.

Phoenix Heliparts moved four months ago to a 14,000-sq-ft facility near the MD Helicopters plant. The subsidiary plans to expand into a 115,000-sq-ft operation on five acres on the north side of FFZ with hangar space to handle as many as 25 helicopters at a time, plus a storage area for 10 rotorcraft, 20,000 sq ft for parts warehousing and 15,000 sq ft for administrative offices.

Heli-Mart and its California Aero Components subsidiary, exhibiting at Booth No. 1413, offer a range of rotorcraft services including component overhaul and repair, a large inventory of MDHI parts, completions including avionics and interiors, plus sale and installation of all accessories, according to Don Nichols, Heli-Mart president. The company is headquartered adjacent to Orange County John Wayne Airport in Southern California

Phoenix Heliparts is at Booth No. 1517 showcasing its MD Helicopters support capability and expansion plans. Tina Cannon, Phoenix Heliparts vice president of sales and marketing, said the company is proud to be supporting the revitalization of MD Helicopters. “We definitely expect that MD will be back and we fully believe they will be even stronger than they were years ago,” she said. 

Formed five years ago by Cannon and her husband Darin in their Mesa, Ariz. garage, Phoenix Heliparts has added maintenance and restoration of helicopters, in particular the MD line. The Cannons have a long history with MD products, going all the way back to Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, Calif., where they worked in 1980 when the company moved to Arizona.

The Cannons have had a close relationship with Heli-Mart as well. Tina Cannon said she initiated the partnership with Heli-Mart based on the company’s role as a supplier of MD Helicopters parts and its strong industry reputation. “We’ve known and worked with each other for many years,” she said. “I’ve always admired their integrity and knowledge of MD Helicopters.”