THE COMPLETIONS EXPERT
Checking in on AMAC Aerospace’s 2019 so far
While big and flashy completions services on jets always make for good copy, it’s the ability to maintain and even reinvent parts of the aircraft that most people would never notice that is the hallmark of experts at work.
This is where AMAC Aerospace truly shines. The firm has been at the forefront of aircraft maintenance and completions since it was established in 2007. Under its roof, jet owners and operators entrust their aircraft to experts who will make sure that they get the best care possible – whether it’s an overhaul of the interiors or other parts of the aircraft. As such the company relies on the engineering, mechanical and craftsmanship expertise of its teams, which span the width of Europe, with a presence in Turkey and Lebanon. Its network of seven hangars covers over 100,000 sqm and can accommodate mid-size, narrow and wide-body jets for maintenance, modification and completion works.
For 2019, the firm has been blessed with a slew of aircraft maintenance and completions projects that range from minor updates in cabin interiors to major overhaul of the aircraft. These projects are evidence
that the firm is trusted in the aerospace industry.
Timely delivery
Because it has different teams that can concentrate on several projects, AMAC Aerospace is able to meet delivery deadlines, even ones that require a short production time. Just this past February, for instance, a privately owned Boeing B767 entered AMAC’s facilities in Basel, Switzerland. The firm needed to carry out an engine change within a short turnaround period, which the firm fulfilled by creating a special shift plan to meet the customer’s schedule. At around the same time, the company was awarded a contract to perform a six-month check on a privately owned Bombardier Challenger 350, which entered the firm’s Basel facilities on short notice. AMAC also needed to do service bulletins (SB) on the aircraft.
“In order to provide our customers an excellent service, we do our best to implement their wishes if they need the aircraft in a certain time,” explains Alexis Ott, Director of Maintenance Sales & Key Account Management, adding, “Our talented and qualified mechanics make this possible.”
Experts in creativity and craftsmanship
Talent has always been part of AMAC Aerospace’s DNA, and this is evident in the projects that it handles. It was recently awarded at the Channel Partners Awards for putting to use their cutting-edge engineering skills in installing the Jetwave KA-Band Antenna, a flagship product from Honeywell, on almost all VVIP aircraft. The antenna allows for an enhanced connectivity experience onboard.
The expertise in installing the antenna was put to use when the firm successfully installed one on a Boeing B737-800. What’s more, AMAC’s facility in Basel will open its hangar doors to several more aircraft projects involving the installation of the KA-Band antenna.
Also about the same time, an ACJ Airbus 319, a head of state aircraft, was delivered to the Basel facility for cabin refurbishment and partial cabin reconfiguration. The brief for the project entails installing a VIP bedroom in the aircraft and replacing all the business class seating with new ones. In addition to refurbishing the interiors, AMAC Aerospace will perform a C4 check. For AMAC Aerospace, the project is proof of trust in their expertise, considering that the client is a long-term customer.
“Our teams are really looking forward to this modification,” says Eric Hoegen, Director Completion Sales & Key Account Management. “Having been selected shows our customer’s appreciation for our engineering and the workmanship quality that has lead us over the years to become the leading completion centre for large VIP aircraft.”
Newly authorised service facility
AMAC Aerospace was recently approved as an Authorised Service Facility (ASF) by Bombardier, which expands the aerospace company’s service. Given the manufacturer’s large client base, this could mean a surge in aircraft support requests for the aerospace firm. As Alexis Ott remarked, “We see how the Bombardier market at AMAC is constantly growing and how customers are increasingly approaching us for maintenance support.
Already, AMAC Aerospace is carrying out a one-year check and Service Bulletin on a Global Express XRS. The privately owned entered AMAC’s hangar doors end-March while another privately owned Bombardier, Global Express, will undergo a 750-hours check, 3,000 hours check and a due maintenance in Basel, where many customers who own Bombardiers are contacting the company for maintenance support.
Innovation is always the name of the game
Even as AMAC Aerospace is awarded more completion projects for the first half of the year, the company was also present at the Aircraft Interior Expo 2019, recently held in Hamburg, Germany. The expo is the world’s leading event for platforms in technologies and products relating to cabin interiors and inflight entertainment systems on all commercial and business aviation aircraft.
It was the perfect venue for AMAC Aerospace to demonstrate its capabilities. A delegation from AMAC Aerospace Basel and Bodrum as well as JCB Aero showcased its expertise and achievements in cabin interiors and engineering services for both business and commercial aviation.
Among the concepts that the delegation showed included a lightweight cabinet that is 30 percent lighter than what is currently being used, composite panels and a unique pop-up television made by JCB Aero in its facility in Auch, France.