On Wednesday, February 28th, Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin announced the commencement of an open tender procedure for the delivery of two training helicopters.
Photo: GB Aircraft
The deadline for submitting offers will expire on April 2, 2024, at 12:00. The criteria for selecting the offer will be price (60%), contractual penalty for delay in contract performance (30%), and warranty repair execution time (10%). The contracting authority expects the contract to be executed between May 6, 2024, and October 31, 2024.
According to Annex No. 2 to the tender specifications, the subject of the order is the delivery of two identical piston-powered training helicopters (powered by 100 LL aviation gasoline) with a type certificate recognized by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), approved for performing VFR flights during both day and night.
The helicopters must be manufactured in 2023 or later, with a maximum flight time of less than 70 hours and a technical airframe lifespan of at least 10 years. The endurance of the flight should be at least 2.5 hours. The cabin must contain at least three seats.
The Academic Aviation Training Center of the Air Force Academy currently operates five Robinson R44 Raven II training helicopters, with the newest one delivered by GB Aircraft on November 23, 2023. The Center also has Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters in its fleet.
The expansion of the training fleet stems from the extensive helicopter fleet modernization programs in the Polish Armed Forces carried out in recent years. Currently, the Armament Agency is conducting market consultations regarding the purchase of 24 training helicopters as part of the program to acquire an integrated training system for combat helicopter pilots. These helicopters will replace the SW-4 Puszczyk and Mi-2 helicopters at the 41st Training Aviation Base in Dęblin.