Flying Colours’ facility in St. Louis, Missouri, has recently taken on a trio of 192-month inspections on Bombardier Challenger-family aircraft.
The latest series of heavy inspections began in April 2020 when an early-model Challenger 300 began the full gamut of heavy maintenance inspections, service bulletins and full landing gear restoration. A second early-production Challenger 300 began its 192-month check in May 2020 and will also undergo an interior upgrade and external paint work. Joining these Challenger 300s is a Challenger 604, which arrived at the facility in July 2020.
The heavy inspections require full exposure of the airframe to allow for a comprehensive structural review to assess for cracks, corrosion or other potential weaknesses. Aircraft components including flaps, doors and windshields are also removed for close inspection and the landing gear undergoes complete restoration. Flying Colours has more than 100 heavy maintenance inspections on Challenger aircraft under its belt.
“The Challenger models are exceptional aircraft with the Challenger 300 being the world’s most popular super-midsize model,” said Eric Gillespie, executive vice president at Flying Colours. “With more than 1,000 original Challengers still in operation we have the tried-and-tested capabilities to complete these intense checks as they become due. With our dedicated interiors facility, external paint shops and avionics expertise we can also support customers looking to upgrade and refurbish aircraft at the same time.”
Flying Colours is also busy with heavy checks on other aircraft types, including Hawker Beechcraft, Falcon and Bombardier Global Express models, at its facilities in St. Louis and Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. “Each heavy check we learn something new and this has helped us develop essential skills,” said Gillespie. “Our impressive maintenance team anticipates the expected and unexpected issues that occur with each check. That adds real value for our customers who know they can rely on our experience to complete thorough inspections. We’re anticipating many more passing through our hangars in the next year.”
