Episode 37 - How Distributors Work

We've gone all self-indulgent on this one to look back at 30 years of Alpine Air Support.Three decades in the helicopter aftermarket has taught us a lot. We've seen so many changes, worked through them all & learnt a ton in doing so... And you can hear all the best bits by just pushing play on Episode 44!And to think podcasts - let alone the internet - were not even a thing when we started...

What makes the world go round? Not your rotorheads, not your MGBs, nope - not even your blades... It could be the best podcast in the aftermarket business... But you KNOW the real answer is Money.We've looked at this subject before, but it's so important that we've dedicated an entire episode to how it works in the helicopter parts industry. No short change here...

Ever wanted to know what drives the decision behind pricing parts? We're here to explain all and talk about what we observe within the industry,This is a must listen for any existing or potential helicopter operator, as we hit the record button for another great episode behind the curtain of the aftermarket.

When is new, not new?In Episode 41 we're talking about part "conditions". This is a really important subject, which can cause confusion and sometimes even arguments!It's all about the state of a part, and how it's used on the airworthiness release form. Think about this for example... When a part is "new" - say a Bell 206 rotor blade from 1972 - how long does it stay "new" for?We dive into this delicate subject so that you can navigate the terms with clarity.

We're back with a special guest episode! Yes, it's the 40th episode of Rotor Torque (errr... wow!) and we are delighted to have our very our Lilli Seider in the hot seat!Lilli is one of the founding pillars of Alpine. In this episode, she not only brings insight into her journey into aviation & the emergence of Alpine, but also her role in this special team and her multi-skilled, day-to-day operations.

It's a role that's often misunderstood. Some people see Brokers as unnecessary middlemen, while others rely on them every single day. The reality is rather more interesting!In this episode of Rotor Torque, Peter explains where Brokers fit into the helicopter aftermarket, why Alpine works closely with many of them, how good brokers add actual value to the supply chain, and why Alpine deliberately chose a different path by investing in inventory rather than simply trading parts.It's an deep dive into one of the most misunderstood roles in aviation parts - and explains why the industry needs good brokers more than many people realise.

AOG... Otherwise known as "Aircraft On Ground", and therefore unserviceable and requiring a part... Urgently... like, yesterday!!When an AOG occurs it can have a big impact and - quite honestly - can be pretty stressful for an operator. We get it. And that's why we take it seriously and measure out AOG response time in minutes!But (and this is a super interesting factor) are they really always AOG? Actually? Well, you'd be surprised...Hit play to hear the inside track on AOG situation, what it really means, the pitfalls, how we handle it and - when it really isn't an AOG at all. Coffee, anyone?

Episode 37 sees us dive into the vital work of Distributors. Parts availability is where the buck stops... And Distributors are the absolute key to every single successful operation.We talk about why they are essential to the aftermarket chain and the significant responsibility that carries.

We just can't get enough of the Dauphin!Concluding our deep dive into this ubiquitous, industrious helicopter, we look at the fleet today, and the supply chain keeping this legacy machine working hard around the world.The 365 Dauphin may not grab the headlines, but we are a huge fan here at Alpine! Just hit Play to hear why.Love the Dauphin? Want a deep dive into another type that we support? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Let's dive into a specific type! And there's nowhere better to start than the SA 365 Dauphin.The machine has seen it all, done it all... and is still going strong! And, here at Alpine, we know it inside-out (quite literally).Love helicopters and the industry behind them? Episode 35 begins a fascinating insight into one of the great Legacy machines - and how we as a company support the fleet.