Airbus Helicopters subsidiary Helibras has announced the appointment of Richard Marelli as president, replacing Eduardo Marson. Marelli, 58, is an aeronautical engineer and French citizen, and has been with Airbus Helicopters for more than 30 years. He has been in Brazil since 2010, and most recently was v-p of operations at Helibras's factory in Itajubá.

Marson, who has served as president of Helibras for more than six years, will be leaving to pursue other projects. During his tenure, Helibras inaugurated a new hangar at Itajubá; built an H225 simulator center in Rio; opened a logistics center in Atibaia near São Paulo; grew from 260 employees to 850; and increased its engineers from nine to 80. Marson will continue as chairman of the Brazilian business aviation organization ABAG, which organizes LABACE, until the industry group holds elections in March.

Helibras has a 50 percent share of the Brazilian turbine helicopter fleet.