Category: BizJet

Sherwin-Williams Aerospace SKYscapes Next Generation Exterior Coatings System Qualified by Textron Aviation

Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings announced its SKYscapes Next Generation exterior coatings basecoat/clearcoat system has been qualified by Textron Aviation for its Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker aircraft.

Including both solid and effect colors, this new qualification expands the relationship between Textron Aviation and Sherwin-Williams. Textron Aviation previously qualified, and continues to utilize, the Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Acry Glo and Jet Glo Express systems for use in both Original Equipment Manufacturer OEM and repaint settings.

“We are honored to expand our relationship with a distinguished manufacturer like Textron Aviation and its iconic aircraft brands,” says Molly K. Moses, Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings North America sales manager. “This additional qualification provides Textron Aviation’s customers with multiple options: they can continue to utilize a traditional, single stage system like Jet Glo Express or Acry Glo; or if they want to utilize a basecoat-clearcoat finish, Textron Aviation now offers SKYscapes Next Generation. Depending upon the complexity of the scheme and the customer’s preferences, this gives Textron Aviation an array of optimized solutions.”

Sherwin-Williams makes exterior coatings that deliver custom solutions for commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft, including a full range of specialized livery color options for an outstanding, durable finish. Its products and systems undergo stringent testing to demonstrate they deliver a lasting protective coating for any aircraft and have earned numerous AMS 3095 certification approvals.
Sherwin-Williams Aerospace is an industry leader in innovation and technology solutions with its certified products, top-rated service, and knowledgeable team of field technicians. For more information, visit Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings.

AAR Signs with Druck for Global AOG Support

AAR has signed an agreement with Druck, a Baker Hughes business, to offer global aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support for a range of engine pressure sensors. This service will be performed through AAR´s customer support team and worldwide warehouses network.

Complementing existing solutions provided to AAR’s client base, this multi-year agreement will prevent parts supply delays and provide customers with immediate access to pressure measurement technology. Druck sensors will be used to support applications such as: hydraulics; environmental control systems; fuel monitoring; auxiliary power unit operations; engine measurement; air data measurement; and cabin pressure.

“We are excited to add Druck´s pressure sensors to our portfolio to enhance our existing AOG solutions for customers,” said Darren Spiegel, AAR Vice President and General Manager OEM Solutions. “The AAR AOG team already supports a global customer base with parts supply and the addition of Druck’s industry leading pressure sensors will complement our existing sensor and LEAP product offering.”

“Druck has supplied more than 500,000 sensors to the aerospace sector providing unrivalled levels of accuracy and reliability across pressure measurement applications,” said Gordon Docherty, Druck Vice President. “Working in partnership with AAR provides our customers with seamless access to our pressure sensor technology, helping optimize operations.” 

StandardAero Completes Acquisition of Signature Aviation’s Engine Repair and Overhaul Business

StandardAero has received all required regulatory approvals and officially completed its acquisition of Signature Aviation’s Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) business. 

Signature’s ERO business is an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider made up of the following five entities:  Dallas Airmotive, H+S Aviation, W.H. Barrett Turbine Engine Company, International Governor Services (IGS) and International Turbine Service (ITS).  ERO is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with two overhaul facilities, (one in Dallas and the other in Portsmouth, England), ten regional turbine centers, one component MRO site and two parts/distribution facilities.   

Like StandardAero, ERO is an OEM-aligned engine MRO services provider.  ERO employs approximately 1,100 people with annual revenues approaching $500 million.  Its customers include regional airlines, commercial transportation providers, corporate flight departments, private operators, government agencies and defense departments.  The newly combined company now has nearly 6,600 employees in 55 locations across six continents.

“We are excited to welcome ERO and its experienced employees to StandardAero and to bring together all of the best practices of two successful, well-known and highly respected Aerospace companies to provide a multitude of benefits for our customers,” said Russell Ford, Chairman and CEO of StandardAero.  “Acquiring ERO enhances our ability to be one of the most efficient and client-focused Aerospace MRO companies in the world, providing superior quality products and responsive service for our industry.”

JSSI Acquires SierraTrax

Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) has acquired SierraTrax, a provider of aircraft maintenance tracking.

SierraTrax provides maintenance tracking software for business aircraft worldwide through its modern technology interface. As a Textron Aviation recommended provider of maintenance tracking services, the SierraTrax platform is used extensively by Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker operators. The company supports most turboprop, light and midsize aircraft, but will now focus on extending the service into the super-mid and large-cabin segments, to align with JSSI’s coverage of virtually every make and model of business jet, turboprop and helicopter.

“The SierraTrax team has done an incredible job establishing a leadership position in a crowded maintenance tracking space in just five short years,” said Neil Book, chairman and CEO of JSSI. “Their remarkable rate of growth has been fueled by great technology, an easy-to-use interface and a commitment to customer service, innovation and data transparency.”

“We started SierraTrax to provide a modern maintenance tracking solution at an affordable price. We share a common value system with JSSI centered around exceptional customer service. Together, we will take the business to the next level and extend our offerings to a broader customer base bringing modern, accessible technology and pricing to operators worldwide,” added Jason Talley, CEO of SierraTrax.

JSSI supports more than 10% of the world’s business jets on its Hourly Cost Maintenance Programs and oversees more than 10,000 maintenance events per year. The company also provides parts, engines and APUs to hundreds of operators across all makes and models through their JSSI Parts & Leasing business. This strategic move into the maintenance tracking space will blend insight from SierraTrax with more than 30 years of JSSI operating cost data and complement the company’s existing portfolio, which also includes JSSI Advisory Services and Conklin & de Decker.

“This exciting new partnership will enable the JSSI platform to deliver a full suite of highly complementary services to the market that will simplify and optimize the entire maintenance experience, allowing owners and operators to manage their aircraft more efficiently,” concluded Book. https://app.coschedule.com/authenticate?calendarID=333076&wordpressSiteID=78747&postID=5741&build=93&userID=4&isMetabox=true No block selected.Are you ready to publish?

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MRO Insider Adds 76 Locations to Network in June

MRO Insider announced that the company has added a record-breaking 76 locations to the network in the month of June. There are now 235 locations available on the platform that provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, aircraft cleaning and detailing, parts procurement or overhaul, and ground service equipment rental. Andy Nixon, Co-founder of MRO Insider stated, “We are beyond excited that our network location count has grown 46% in the last 30 days. By providing one space for operators to obtain quotes for such a variety of service needs from such a large number of providers, we increase the value our platform provides to both our operators and our service providers. As always, we couldn’t do it without the support of our users!”

Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems accounted for 29 of the 41 mobile service maintenance technicians the network added in the United States in June. Brent Wiggins, AOG Manager at Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems stated, “After using the MRO Insider app from the operator side, I knew when I returned to the Stevens’ AOG team that we would benefit from joining the network as a service provider. As an aircraft operator, time is of the essence, and you need to get someone out to the plane as soon as possible. The MRO Insider app provides operators a quote and an ETA within minutes. At Stevens, we strive to provide superior customer service, and felt that joining the MRO Insider network was a great way to prove we are responsive to our customer’s needs.”

In addition to mobile service teams to assist AOG aircraft, in June the network also added 29 aircraft cleaning and detailing locations supported by Prime Appearance, for a total of 52 aircraft cleaning locations. This allows operators to receive aircraft cleaning and detailing quotes within the MRO Insider app, saving hours of scheduling time that would normally be spent on the phone getting quotes from various providers. Using the app, operators can schedule aircraft turnover between charter trips, or to take care of unplanned cleanliness or cosmetic issues identified in flight.

StandardAero Signs 40th Collins Aerospace Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 Modification for Falcon 50EX, Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX Aircraft

StandardAero recently signed its 40th Collins Aerospace Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 modification/upgrade on Falcon 50EX, Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX aircraft.  The 40th aircraft is a Falcon 50EX model and is scheduled to be completed at StandardAero’s Springfield, Illinois maintenance facility.   

Supported with a Dassault Falcon STC, the Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 modification removes the aircraft’s existing cathode ray tube displays and replaces them with liquid crystal displays.  The modification allows for features like LPV, synthetic vision, graphical XM weather and FANS-1/A, giving operators more functionality and situational awareness in the cockpit.  The modification also addresses display obsolescence issues that are present with the existing CRT Displays. 

“We have performed more of these cockpit upgrades than any other MRO provider in the world,” said Brian Campbell, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing for StandardAero Business Aviation.  “All this experience has given us the ability to provide the highest quality product at a competitive price and faster – minimizing aircraft downtime for our customers.” 

StandardAero has the capability of performing the Collins Aerospace modification at any of its three Business Aviation facilities located in Augusta, GA, Springfield, IL, and Houston, TX.   

Carpenter Avionics Collabs With Speed & Design to Provide Premium Aircraft Interior Design and Installation Services for Bizav Owners

Carpenter Avionics, announced the company is expanding its list of specialized services to now include providing custom aircraft interior refurbishing and completions by partnering with Speed & Design, a nationally acclaimed design, fabrication and installation service provider for custom automobiles.

“As we approach our 40th anniversary, we decided this was the great time to make a major step into our future by expanding our mission and introducing an array of interior upgrade services to complement our portfolio of avionics services,” said Mark Lee, CEO at Carpenter Avionics. “Customers have told us they want a one-stop solution for their aircraft avionics and interior needs, and they seek exceptional quality in both areas. We’ve wanted to address this need in a unique and compelling way. Now, we can.”

“We are so extremely fortunate to have found Gil Vigil and his talented group at Speed & Design right here in our own backyard in Middle Tennessee for this dream team collaboration,” Lee continued. “Speed & Design shares our commitment to superlative quality and customer satisfaction. One look at the kind of passion-inspiring quality and unique styling that these artists can deliver and you can be sure that you’ll never look at an aircraft interior the same way again.”

“Over the past few years, we completed the design, fabrication, and installation of a few aircraft interiors for our custom car customers and others, and we really enjoyed that,” stated Gil Vigil, president, Speed & Design. “We want to do more in aviation so we are very excited to begin this new chapter with the team at Carpenter Avionics. Together, we expect to accomplish some amazing things for customers.”

The typical general aviation or business aviation aircraft interior is 15 or 20 years old or older, and the interiors often look like that is the case. Not just in their condition, but also their lack of styling. Carpenter’s collaboration with Speed & Design reflects a commitment to change this for the better. Now, aircraft owners can enjoy custom-created seats and upholstery that is as functional, expertly crafted, and beautiful, as the new avionics that Carpenter Avionics has been providing for instrument panels.

The Carpenter Avionics and Speed & Design collaboration now offers a full array of aircraft interior design and fabrication, including:
• Cabin hard- and soft-goods design and fabrication;
• Upholstery, sidewall, headliner and carpeting, installation and repair;
• Custom seat design and fabrication;
• Thermo/acoustic insulation installation;
• Design, fabrication, repair of cabin cabinetry, including hydro-dip refinishing;
• LED lighting installation;
• Refurbishing yokes, glare shields, and more.

While the partnership is just being announced, Carpenter Avionics and Speed & Design teams have completed and delivered their first collaborative aircraft avionics and interior upgrade project.

Causeway Aero Opens New Composites Facility

Causeway Aero has opened a brand new 7,000ft² production facility in Sligo in the northwest of the Republic of Ireland Ireland and is currently in the advanced stages of receiving EASA Part-21G approval from the Irish Aviation Authority.

As the Lisburn facility is now outside EASA and approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, it also means that Causeway will be one of the few aerospace companies able to deliver against alternative approvals and Form 1, offering maximum flexibility for customers. In addition to having a readily available skilled work force, the strategic location is just a two hour drive from the company’s headquarters in Lisburn, Northern Ireland; from the aircraft leasing community in Dublin; and from the MRO cluster in Shannon.

Michael Rice, Causeway Aero CEO, explains that investment in Sligo has focused on new machinery, as it will specialize in heavier industrial processes such as routing, edging and decoring of composites. This will separate them from the lighter work in Lisburn of the manufacture and assembly of lightweight Pitch PF3000 economy class seats and of aircraft interior components.

Part of the new facility has been taken over by Inter-Tec Aero, a new part of Inter-Tec Group, a long term partner of Causeway that has used its EASA Part-21J Design Organization Approval to assist with a number of interior and seat projects. Inter-Tec is also the EASA ETSA holder for the Pitch PF3000 seat.

Fred Gorrie, Managing Director/Owner of Inter-Tec Aero Group, says his Prestwick, Scotland, based company also faced the EASA/CAA challenge: “Effectively transferring our EASA approvals to the new base in Sligo is a neat solution. In addition to it reinforcing our close relationship with Causeway, it re-establishes Inter-Tec’s position to ably serve our highly-valued global customer base as a truly European Design Organisation.”

Lorin Coil Service Center Offers Comprehensive Services for Anodized Aluminum Customers

Lorin Industries is promoting its Coil Service Center (CSC). The company says they offer “the most comprehensive services available in the industry for slitting, shearing to leveled sheets, custom packaging, and more.” Whether destined for architectural, transportation, or consumer goods use, Lorin’s anodized aluminum is ideally suited for its end use thanks to the CSC’s services.

In addition, Lorin operates an in-house laboratory for color-matching and other testing. Experts measure and test the color value (according to the Hunter L. A. B. 3-dimensional color scale), anodic layer (using ASTM B137 testing), and gloss to verify that all are in specification multiple times during each manufacturing run. The testing laboratory uses an Atlas Weatherometer to perform accelerated weathering tests on Lorin materials to make sure they stand the test of time. Additionally the lab conducts and has testing data available for other tests, such as Salt Spray, Anodic Layer Seal Quality, and Abrasion Resistance.

When it comes to logistics, whether the anodized aluminum coils are secured to skids, shrink wrapped, or custom crated, Lorin transports its material to customers conveniently and damage-free. The company offers international packaging designed by packaging engineers, as well as proven, specialized packaging for domestic shipments. Lorin’s sheet stock skids are designed to provide protection surrounding the entire package, and the company builds custom crating when necessary to protect shipments.

Anodized aluminum is most often shipped to manufacturers in full coils, which can weigh up to 15,000 lbs. While this is a suitable bulk delivery method for many, it’s not ideal for all applications. Lorin’s CSC also delivers cut-to-length anodized aluminum sheets for clients who require or prefer leveled, sheeted material, such as for architectural projects that require panels of anodized aluminum or consumer goods with smaller parts. Lorin delivers the following range of anodized sheet sizes: gauge range of 0.004″ (0.1mm) up to 0.080″ (2.0 mm); loading width range of 7″ (178 mm) up to 62″ (1575 mm); and cut sheet lengths from 8″ (203 mm) up to 182″ (4622 mm).

When shearing anodized sheets to custom lengths and widths, Lorin utilizes leveling techniques that do not damage the anodic layer, ensuring the visual and performance benefits of the coil anodized aluminum are not compromised, thus ensuring a high quality end product.
Lorin offers a full service center to provide our customers with high quality made in America products and outstanding service and attention to detail.

ELMS Aviation Inks Long-Term Agreement with Aerocare



Software services provider ELMS Aviation (ELMS) signed of a long-term agreement with Aerocare Aviation Services Ltd (Aerocare), to adopt its Competence and Compliance Solution (The ELMS Solution).

The five-year agreement marks the latest in a string of new client signings for software specialists, ELMS. Aerocare will have complete access to the ELMS cloud-based solution, offering “transparency, integrity and visibility of personnel competence on both an organizational and individual basis,” the company says.

Aerocare is an established & dedicated Part-145 provider of services into the Corporate Aviation sector, with facilities based in Chester, UK. The organization’s highly skilled and professional team have an unrivaled in-house capability, providing maintenance and repair, modifications, interior refurbishment, aircraft paint and electrical component manufacture.

The ELMS Solution will provide Aerocare with complete visibility of staff competence and development, whilst also forming a key part of its Safety Management Systems (SMS) from a risk-based oversight perspective. The product will also enable Aerocare to have a complete picture of its capability with the ability to demonstrate this to both existing and prospective customers, thus providing assurance of personnel standards.

“This is a very exciting partnership, and another great achievement for ELMS,” John Scale, ELMS’ general manager, commented. “With Aerocare being in the Business Aviation market, this further demonstrates our expanding reach and ability of the product to meet the needs of a wide range of organizations, and we are looking forward to supporting Aerocare’s future plans.”

Jason Davies, general manager at Aerocare added: “Aerocare Aviation Services are delighted to be joining with ELMS Aviation with the introduction of the ELMS cloud-based platform to our business. We believe the ELMS tool will improve our ability to monitor, evidence and record our staff competency, training and authorizations easily and accurately whilst ensuring continued compliance at all times.”