(From left) Thomas Koppensteiner, Head of Sales & Product Portfolio and Member of the Board at TESTFUCHS; and Gerald Steinhoff, Chief Commercial Officer at HAECO

HAECO, a leading global provider of aircraft engineering and maintenance solutions, has formed a new partnership with TESTFUCHS, an Austrian specialist in aerospace test systems. Announced at MRO Europe in Amsterdam, the partnership will see the two companies jointly develop the first proprietary LEAP Elite testing platform to provide OEM-quality testing and repair of critical Woodward fuel system components for CFM International LEAP engines. The platform is scheduled to enter full operation in the first quarter of 2028 following successful validation.

The partnership follows HAECO’s signing of an Elite Licensed Repair Service Facility (LRSF) agreement with Woodward earlier this year and marks an important step in expanding HAECO’s repair capabilities for Woodward components on LEAP engines. With this investment, HAECO is developing one of the industry’s first proprietary, OEM-authorised LEAP component repair capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

The new LEAP Elite testing platform will consist of two dedicated test stands engineered to Woodward’s test specifications for Fuel Metering Units (FMUs), Splitter Control Units (SCUs) and Servo Valve Assemblies (SVAs) for LEAP engines. Upon entry into service, the platform will support HAECO’s OEM-authorised LEAP component repair capabilities, with every repaired component tested and verified in accordance with Woodward requirements before being returned to service.

George Edmunds, Group Director Components and Engine Services at HAECO, said: “The Elite LRSF agreement with Woodward represents a strategic commitment in establishing market-leading LEAP component repair capabilities, and our partnership with TESTFUCHS is a critical milestone in bringing these capabilities to market. By combining Woodward’s OEM expertise, TESTFUCHS’ world-class testing technology and HAECO’s established component repair capabilities, we are creating a first-of-its-kind capability in the region and reinforcing our position as a first mover in OEM-authorised LEAP component repair services in Asia-Pacific.”  

John DiSilvestro, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Service for Woodward, said: “The Elite LRSF agreement we signed with HAECO in July is built on the principle that every repaired component must meet the same standards as a component repaired by the OEM. HAECO’s partnership with TESTFUCHS demonstrates a strong commitment to quality and will help bring reliable, OEM-authorised repair services for Woodward LEAP components closer to operators in the region.”

Thomas Koppensteiner, Head of Sales & Product Portfolio and Member of the Board at TESTFUCHS, said: “In aviation, a repaired component must be carefully restored to a condition that delivers the reliability and performance the end user expects from a new aircraft. There is no room for compromise. That is why we are developing these test stands hand in hand with HAECO and Woodward. We are proud that HAECO has entrusted us with this first-mover project, and we look forward to seeing it fully operational in 2028.”

The CFM International LEAP engine powers a significant and fast-growing share of the global narrowbody fleet. As more LEAP engines undergo their first shop visits, demand for licensed repair of associated Woodward components is expected to grow. Through this partnership with TESTFUCHS, HAECO is establishing the dedicated infrastructure and expertise to provide OEM-authorised LEAP component repair services for operators worldwide.

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About HAECO Group

HAECO Group is one of the world’s leading aircraft engineering and maintenance service providers. We provide a comprehensive range of solutions encompassing airframe services, line services, component overhaul, aerostructure repairs, landing gear services, engine services, global engine support, parts manufacturing and technical training. HAECO Group comprises 14 operating companies, employing around 15,000 staff in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Europe and the Americas. Learn more at www.haeco.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram or WeChat for the latest updates.

About Woodward Inc. 

Woodward is the global leader in the design, manufacture, and service of energy conversion and control solutions for the aerospace and industrial equipment markets. Our purpose is to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future. Our innovative fluid, combustion, electrical, propulsion, and motion control systems perform in some of the world’s harshest environments. Woodward is a global company headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Visit our website at www.woodward.com.

About TESTFUCHS

TESTFUCHS is a family-owned aerospace technology company headquartered in Gross-Siegharts, Austria. Since 1946, TESTFUCHS has developed and manufactured test systems, ground support equipment and aircraft components for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, MRO providers and the space industry. With more than 700 employees and locations in eight countries, TESTFUCHS lives by its brand promise: When failure is not an option, TESTFUCHS delivers certainty. Visit our website at www.testfuchs.aero.