Hourly cost aircraft maintenance program provider Jet Support Services (JSSI) is recommitting to the helicopter space, company president and CEO Neil Book told AIN on Tuesday. As part of this effort, JSSI is attending its first Heli-Expo since Neil was tapped to head the Chicago-based company in late 2012, and JSSI recently created a dedicated helicopter program team led by 30-year industry veteran Ray Weiner.

JSSI, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, has always offered hourly maintenance programs for rotorcraft, and currently covers 70 helicopter models with new ones being added as they enter service. However, until now it has not made a big marketing push for the rotorcraft market, with helicopters accounting for only a “small fraction” of the more than 2,000 aircraft on JSSI hourly cost maintenance programs.

“We now see helicopters as an untapped market,” Book said. “And with fluctuating oil prices, these operators now more than ever need the budget stability that JSSI’s hourly maintenance programs offer.”

Under its programs, operators can cover their engines, airframes or both. Book said that pricing for helicopter engine coverage is similar to that for fixed-wing aircraft, while pricing for helicopter airframes will be somewhat higher, though this depends on the model.

JSSI can cover a single aircraft or a whole fleet, Book noted. “For fleets, we offer one program, one program administrator and the same technical services team, which simplifies things for operators.” Maintenance reserves are also transferrable, with aircraft owners having the option to sell it with the aircraft or keep them after the sale and applying them to their new airplane or helicopter.