Associated Air Center Adds Mockup for Design Work

Associated Air Center, StandardAero’s large transport-category VIP aircraft completions center in Dallas, has developed a full-scale airframe mockup for creating and testing new designs, fabrications and systems on Boeing Business Jets. “We purchased a 737-300, which is dimensionally identical to the BBJ, removed the wings and empennage and are having it installed in tooling jigs that will be housed in our hangar at Love Field,” Troy Jonas, Associated Air Center’s v-p and general manager, told AIN. “It allows us to fit and mount the actual monuments, headliners, sidewalls and seats in the fuselage. Essentially, we will be able to install the complete interior, allowing the customer to walk through it, review the floor plan and experience the functionality of the layout. We will be able to make final adjustments then cover and finish the interior components before the customer’s airplane arrives at our facility.” Jonas said additional benefits are the identification of issues related to clearance, fit and certification. The mockup is scheduled to go into service by the end of the month.