As an integrated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider, ST Aerospace is able to provide total programme management to a wide array of aircraft platforms. This includes the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, for which ST Aerospace is able to service with airframe maintenance, component total support as well as GEnx on-wing support.
The world’s largest airframe MRO service provider recently leveraged its global network of facilities to secure new 787 contracts in heavy maintenance and nacelle MRO from American and European customers, increasing its support for the 787 fleet worldwide with even more comprehensive solutions and greater geographical reach.
Heavy maintenance
ST Aerospace’s US affiliate company, VT San Antonio Aerospace (VT SAA), secured a long-term agreement from Air Canada to provide heavy maintenance services to the airline’s flagship 787 Dreamliner fleet. The first 787 aircraft was inducted into VT SAA’s hangar in San Antonio, US, for C1-checks in May, and successfully redelivered within 18 days.
With this latest milestone, ST Aerospace became the first MRO service provider in the Americas to perform heavy maintenance on the 787. Recognising the potential demand for heavy maintenance services for the aircraft platform in the Americas, ST Aerospace leveraged its experience in line and base maintenance of the new generation airliner at its Singapore facilities to develop VT SAA into another Centre of Excellence for the 787.
“We are honoured to be selected by Air Canada to perform heavy maintenance on its growing fleet of 787”, said Mr Lim Serh Ghee, President of ST Aerospace. “Having worked together on a number of programme, we have a good understanding of Air Canada’s requirements especially regarding quality and on-time redelivery, making us their ideal long-term partner. The first 787 C-check performed at our San Antonia facility went very smoothly, and we look forward to building on that success to establish VT SAA as a Centre of Excellence for the 787 in the Americas.”
“We are pleased to select ST Aerospace’s San Antonio facility for our 787 heavy maintenance programme,” said Mr George Psycharis, Managing Director of Maintenance and Strategy at Air Canada. “We have a successful history of collaboration on several programme, including heavy maintenance and cabin reconfigurations. ST Aerospace has a proven track record of on-time performance with the highest levels of quality and safety, and we are confident the 787 programme will further strengthen the partnership between both our companies.”
Marketed as part of ST Aerospace’s global network, VT SAA is one of the leading providers of maintenance and modification services for mainline and regional aircraft in North America, having redelivered more than 3,000 aircraft to-date. With the 787 boasting new technology in aircraft systems and an all-composite construction, VT SAA has made significant investments in training, tooling, and ground support equipment. In addition, a specialised task force was created to prepare the facility and obtain the required approval rating in time for the Air Canada 787 programme.
Component total support
ST Aerospace’s track record in supporting 787 is also strengthened when it recently secured orders for 787 component MRO services from a global clientele. On top of airframe maintenance, the integrated aviation solutions provider is also able to provide comprehensive component MRO support for the 787 as a UTC Aerospace Systems-licensed MRO service provider for the full range of nacelle components as well as air management and power generation & electrical system components.
ST Aerospace started offering nacelle MRO services for 787’s Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and General Electric GEnx engines in 2013 using UTC Aerospace Systems’ repair processes for customers worldwide. Its MRO capabilities in 787 nacelles cover everything from specific repairs of components such as the Inlet cowl, fan cowl, thrust reverser and exhaust nozzle to a complete overhaul. ST Aerospace has since grown its components MRO capabilities for the 787 by also developing a wide range of MRO services for the aircraft’s air management and power generation & electrical system components. Efforts to grow its 787 business include investing in an inventory of spare assets that can be used for exchange or loan.
In addition, ST Aerospace, which is a Boeing-approved MRO centre for components work, has also worked closely with the original equipment manufacturer to add new MRO capabilities that cover more than 450 individual part numbers – from flaps, slats, leading edge and spoilers to ailerons – in all major flight controls for the 787, making it a true 787 component total support service provider.
