Kaman Aerosystems, a division of the aerospace segment of Kaman Corporation, announced July 26 that it has entered into an agreement with Rainier Heli International Inc., under which Rainier will offer K-MAX leasing solutions to customers.
Rainier specializes in providing lease and lease-to-purchase programs tailored to meet the specific needs of helicopter operators around the world.
“Rainier has operated a K-MAX in the U.S. and abroad performing firefighting and utility missions for more than 20 years. As a current owner operator of multiple helicopters, we understand the outstanding value proposition K-MAX offers to the external lift market, including firefighting and power line construction,” said Lon Halvorson, CEO of Rainier.
“We are very pleased that Rainier has decided to invest in the future success of the K-MAX program with this important milestone,” said Roger Wassmuth, senior director of business development. “We expect this partnership will allow us to further penetrate emerging markets around the world with new production aircraft through a new financing alternative.”
Development of the K-MAX was led by Kaman founder and former CEO, aviation pioneer Charlie H. Kaman, and received Federal Aviation Administration certification in 1994.
The single-engine, single-seat K-MAX is a rugged low-maintenance aircraft that features a counter-rotating rotor system and is optimized for external load operations and designed specifically for vertical reference flight. The aircraft can lift up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kilograms).
The K-MAX is an amazing work horse that was designed way ahead of its time and only requires a one Pilot crew. It’s great to see an operator such as Rainier invest in such a versatile machine. It will be interesting to see this aircraft start getting the respect she deserves.