SPARC ENTERS A NEW STAGE IN ITS DEVELOPMENT

In the late 1950s, the plant began to repair Ka-15, Ka-18, Mi-4 and Mi-8 helicopters of all modifications, and later Mi-17, Ka-32T and Ka-32S helicopters. In all, the plant built and repaired 24 types of aircraft.
     
In the second half of the 1970s, the plant began to repair and supply helicopters to 16 countries. These supplies accounted for 25 percent of all helicopters repaired by the plant. Every month the plant repaired up to 20 helicopters. The plant reconditioned damaged helicopters, converted cargo compartments into passenger or VIP compartments, repaired all helicopter units, and modified helicopters under manufacturers' bulletins.

Using its training facilities, the plant trained more than 1,500 foreign specialists. For its achievements in the fulfillment of production tasks, the introduction of advanced technologies, and its great contribution to the strengthening and development of friendly relations between socialist and developing countries the plant was awarded the Order of the Friendship of Peoples.

In the late 1980s, a drastic decrease in orders placed the plant into a very difficult economic and financial position. In those years, it repaired a mere two to three helicopters a month. In October 1993, Plant #21 was reorganized into a joint stock company and named St. Petersburg Aircraft Repair Company (SPARC). Under the difficult conditions of economic reforms, when the command economy was switched to market relations and when many industries were privatized, the enterprise not only preserved its traditions but mastered new technologies based on the latest scientific achievements. It drew up new production forms and records, continued cooperation with four related enterprises, and established close contacts with the Mil and Kamov helicopter design bureaus. It also repaired new helicopter modifications, upgraded its helicopter reequipment methods, and renovated its technical facilities. At the end of 1997, SPARC was among the first to receive production and quality certificates of the Federal Aviation Authority and the Interstate Aviation Committee for meeting international standards.
    
Now, SPARC is regaining its once strong position. It has added a new line to its business: sale and leasing of overhauled helicopters. SPARC receives most of its orders for helicopter repairs from Russia's leading air companies, Federal Border Guard Service, CIS countries, Russia's Ministry of the Interior and the Aviation Service of Gazprom. Customers are attracted by the high quality, short terms and low prices of SPARC repairs. A helicopter overhaul at SPARC never exceeds 20 percent of the helicopter's initial cost, and its service life after the repair is the same as that of a newly built helicopter. In 1998, we plan to repair up to 100 helicopters. We expect to achieve this with the help of efficient technological, production, material and other support. We have good business relations with foreign customers. We are currently assimilating technologies to repair helicopters at users' facilities. Preparations are underway for the repair and modernization of the Mi-24 combat helicopter, as well as Mi-14 and Ka-27 helicopters. We are continuously updating and expanding our training facilities, using the latest computer technologies.

Aircraft specialists who took part in the 21st European Helicopter Forum (1995), visited SPARC, which had in former years been off limits to foreigners, and were surprised to see the high professionalism of its personnel and the high quality of their work.
All the above-mentioned factors are grounds for describing SPARC as one of Russia's leading aircraft repair enterprises and for looking into the future with confidence.