N1 Launches Ultimate Lift with First Customer

Mesa, Arizona-based N1 (Booth 4781), the maintenance management unit of Directional Aviation, has developed a new program that aims to give clients confidence that they have a backup plan in the event their aircraft is unserviceable due to engine problems. The program, called “Ultimate Lift," will be part of the company’s Smart Engine Program. Support will come from aircraft from sister company Sentient Jet.

Shortly after announcing Ultimate Lift on Monday at NBAA 2018, company president Bill Metera told AIN it had secured its first customer, JS Ventures, a private charter operator. The contract was signed on Friday, with N1 providing this customer with service and maintenance for a fleet of five aircraft and 11 engines. “With the flexibility and depth of our engine programs, JS Ventures will have complete coverage for their aircraft,” said Steve Ness, N1 director of sales.

N1’s unique approach allows customers to sign up for maintenance support without having major checks covered. Metera justified this by saying most business aircraft owners might well never hit a major maintenance event, given the low utilization that is typical.

He described as “excessive fees and coverage” the power-by-the-hour offerings that OEMs persuaded customers to sign up for. “The major overhaul might take $700,000, but if the aircraft is hardly used it could take 50 years to see [that major maintenance event], so why pay for the [additional] coverage?” Metera added that major overhaul coverage could be provided separately and at lower costs, for example, by StandardAero.