Letter from the Director
Rich Vollmar
Director of Maintenance - AVMATS Spirit
AVMATS (Aviation Maintenance and Technical Support) is proud to announce the kick-off of a quarterly information newsletter called AVMATS Atmosphere. The newsletter will be used to introduce new services and capabilities, showcase achievements and provide information about the AVMATS Family of Companies. Also included will be information regarding the aircraft we support including Falcon, Hawker, Sabreliner, Beechcraft and Cessna. The depth of our support provides a unique perspective to discuss various aircraft maintenance issues, trends and special projects. Our capabilities include light and heavy structural repair, maintenance, avionics, interiors, parts support, instruments, engine and APU support, and accessory and component services. We continuously strive to provide the very best support for our customers, clients and the aviation industry as a whole. Please enjoy our quarterly newsletter, and be sure to visit our websites to learn more about what we do.
Falcon APU Replacement
Brian Jansen
Falcon Program Manager
This past year, AVMATS, using a PATS STC, successfully installed a Sundstrand T62T-40C9 APU in a Falcon 20. With increasing repair cost to an outdated Saphir 4-2 APU, this was an attractive alternative we offered to one of our customers. The installation calls for mounting the APU inside the tail cone of the aircraft. This required major modification to the tail cone as well as re-locating the APU engine mounts on the AFT canted frame. This new APU delivers substantiallymore bleed air than the Saphir and can be operated at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet. While this installation isn't new, we are proud to join the ranks of the few who have successfully completed an install.
Sabreliner APEX Mod
Danielle Beck
Marketing Manager
Due to the increased cost and failure rates of the Sabreliner aircraft eyebrow and breadbox windows, AVMATS has developed a form fit functional aluminum replacement for the 40/60/65 models. The APEX window modification eliminates recurring maintenance and downtime due to eyebrow/breadbox failure, which therefore reduces overall operating cost. Along with improving cooling, reducing glare and reducing noise in the cockpit, this modification also reduces pilot fatigue and exposure to harmful UV rays.
Hawker 800/800XP Service Difficulty Report
Mike Moore
Hawker/Beechcraft Program Manager
During our last three G or 48 Month Inspections, we have consistently discovered evidence of wear on the inboard most leading edge rib (Rib 1). Further investigation has shown this to be the result of a bulge in the inboard leading edge seal support structure caused by the use of universal or pan head rivets beneath the seal (see photo). The bulge causes the support strip to contact the leading edge rib which in turn leads to chafing of the two structures. Replacing the pan head rivets with flush rivets would alleviate this issue, and has been our solution in each respective case. We have filed a Service Difficulty Report (SDR) in hopes of alerting others to the situations we have discovered.
Old Birds Turning Younger
Jason Noll
Sales & Marketing
With the acquisition of Thunder Aviation's assets in 2009, AVMATS has expanded our legacy aircraft support to include the Cessna Conquest. After successfully completing the first Conquest I Supplemental Inspection Document (SID) set at our Spirit facilities, we are more confident than ever that our depth-of-capability offers clients more for their dollar than most of our competitors. This project in particular benefited from our experienced and talented staff, our in-house Structural Repair Services, and even our sister DER, Parts, and Component divisions. The overall project completed in half the time traditionally required, and in the process we were able to pioneer some improvements to decrease downtime and cost for this customer's recurrent inspections. With another in work and more on the way, we're pleased to watch this graceful old bird fly off safer and maybe a bit younger.
Member Profile
AVMATS is a family business, and we are proud of all the talented family members we employ. Each issue will feature a different employee and the skills they add to our family. This issue features:
Mike Moore, our Hawker/Beechcraft Program Manager.
Mechanically inclined, Mike fell into aviation after catching the “bug" from his Grandfather who was an engineer for Boeing. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Central Missouri (formerly CMSU) in 2000. Mike was hired by JetCorp as an Aircraft Mechanic working third shift supporting FlexJet operations, and later transferred to JetCorp's Anheuser Busch Flight Operations support team. Mike joined our family in 2006 as Night Shift Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor and later was promoted to the Manager of Technical Services at our Spirit facility. Mike is now our Hawker/Beechcraft Program Manager with his primary focus being the technical aspects of work scope completion, as well as the day-to-day operational efforts of every Hawker or Beechcraft project at AVMATS.
Since assuming the role of AVMATS' Hawker/Beechcraft Program Manager, he has worked to establish maintenance baselines, reduce downtime, and build new customer relationships. “AVMATS is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive light and heavy support to Hawker or Beechcraft clients." Mike said,"Our family of companies offers extensive parts and component support, general maintenance, and custom engineering. We are capable of the smallest to the most major avionics, interior, and structural modifications or repair." AVMATS is a TFE731 & CFE738 Honeywell Line Service Center and maintains a registered ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System in addition to FAA Certified Repair Stations with EASA approval.
Shop Spotlight
With the vast array of services we provide, it's all too easy to lose focus of the full capabilities of the individual departments in the company. In each issue we will re-shine the spotlight on one specific department or shop to illuminate its unique facets and capabilities. This issue will explore the AVMATS Structures Department and the recent FJ-4B Fury restoration project.
The FJ-4B Fury experienced a gear-up landing during the practice show for the 2008 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show in Pensacola, Florida on November 13, 2008. It skidded to a stop just off the runway and the pilot exited safely. The aircraft was extensively damaged on the under belly as well as the flaps and speed brakes. Considering the aircraft is the only flying example in the world and replacement parts are nearly non-existent, the AVMATS Team was able to overcome numerous hurdles along the way to accomplish repairs that not only met but exceeded the customer's expectations, while achieving two "Squawk Free" test flights prior to departure from Spirit Airport. AVMATS completed the work in just nine months and, much to the satisfaction of its owner, was able to return the Fury to service for the 2009 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show back in Pensacola.
AVMATS' Structural Services include manufacturing and repair fabrication of metal and composite structures. Our on-site DER staff can provide customized engineering solutions for more accurate results and lower turn times. We specialize in flight control repair and overhaul of: Ailerons, Elevators, Entrance Doors, Flaps, Gear Doors, Honeycomb Trailing Edges, Inlets, Leading Edges, Rudders, Speed Brakes, Stabilizers, Trim Tabs, and Wings.