Why Use an FAA-Approved Repair Station (Like King Aerospace)
August 2, 2022
It’s not just a matter of whether you should use an FAA-approved repair station for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) on your large-body or corporate aircraft. It’s more a matter of choosing the right one.
King Aerospace Commercial Corporation’s Federal Aviation Administration designation as a Part 145 repair station means we are regulated intensely by the agency and receive extra oversight. That’s the way we like it. We know our work and our commitment hold up. Our Cornerstone Principles include quality in everything (no excuses) and ensure we meet and uphold the ISO 9001:2015 / AS9110C quality improvement standard.
Others worldwide recognize our abilities and expertise as an MRO station. Our facility in Ardmore, OK, is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, as well as air regulators in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Mexico. The U.S. military certifies our work on its aircraft, and we’re a designated GE OnPoint™ service center, providing maintenance and repair for Boeing Business Jet CFM56-7B engines.
As an FAA-approved repair station, we must:
- Detail operating procedures and duties of key personnel.
- Have a quality control system in place (something we exceed with ISO standards).
- Fulfill facilities and equipment requirements.
- Have an FAA-approved training program for mechanics and technicians.
- Make our certifications available to anyone walking in the door.
Fixing Those in a Fix
King Aerospace has served and satisfied many VVIP and other customers. But there’s one type of customer whose loyalty we especially like earning: The ones coming to us exasperated with another maintenance provider.
“It’s a challenging starting point, when an operator calls and shares frustrations with his current MRO provider,” says KACC General Manager of Operations Steve Sawyer. “I cannot get my airplane right here. I am fed up, and I just want to get it put together. We’ve heard good things about King Aerospace. Tell me what you could do differently in this situation, how you could make it right.”
In those situations, we work with the customer to put the aircraft in shape to get it to us. Then, we do what we do with all customers. We discuss the scope of the maintenance and the problems we can fix. We talk about combining maintenance with paint and modification projects to minimize downtimes. We explain project timing and any challenges involved. Supply chain is a big one these days. Open and honest communication is key.
Doing the Right Thing
Once customers arrive at our facilities, they’ll see professionalism – from uniforms to tool stations – that isn’t always found elsewhere. “There’s a level of commitment and a family attitude that exists at King Aerospace,” Sawyer says. “Customers experience those intangibles throughout our service process. And they come back as a result.”
New customers might not have been happy coming in our door, but we make sure they are when they leave. “Loyalty is a very simple formula,” says Sawyer. “It involves doing good work, owning mistakes and finishing what you said you would. That’s King Aerospace.”