Global Express Operators: Important Update to 180-Month (15-Year) Interior Inspection Requirements

West Star Aviation is advising Bombardier Global Express operators of an important update affecting long-term maintenance planning—specifically related to interior removal requirements during the 180-month (15-year) inspection.

For operators of Global Express Classic, 5000, XRS, 5000 Vision, 6000, 5500, and 6500 aircraft, this update has the potential to significantly reduce labor, and overall inspection costs—if properly planned.

Background: Interior Removal and Inspection Access

Historically, operators have aimed to minimize the frequency of interior removal, particularly for major inspections where access to floor structure is required. Interior removal – galley, lavatory, sidewalls, and headliners – can add substantial time, cost, and complexity to a maintenance event.

The primary task related to this requirement is comprised of the following:

• TLMC Task 53-20-00-212
• AMM Task 53-20-00-220-812
• Detailed Inspection of Internal Structure Below WL71.50 (FS 281.00 to FS 381.00)

This inspection focuses on structural areas typically located beneath the galley, forward lavatory, and crew rest compartments, requiring significant interior access.

Under previous guidance, this task:

• Initiated at the 120-month inspection, and
• Repeated every 60 months thereafter, often driving interior removal again at the 180-month event

What’s Changed: Bombardier Advisory Wire AW700-53-0979

Bombardier has now issued Advisory Wire AW700-53-0979, addressing long-standing operator concerns regarding repeated interior removal.

The inspection interval for this task is being revised from120-month threshold / 60-month repeat to 120-month threshold / 120-month repeat

What This Means for Operators:

If the applicable TLMC tasks are properly accomplished during the 120-month inspection, operators may avoid interior removal at the 180-month inspection for this specific requirement.

This represents a meaningful improvement in:

• Maintenance planning flexibility
• Reduced downtime
• Lower labor and reinstallation costs
• Improved aircraft availability

Important Timing Considerations

Bombardier intends to formally incorporate this change into the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) / TLMC manuals in a future revision, expected by the end of 2026.

If Your Aircraft Is Due Before the Revision, Operators will need to obtain approval through:

• Service Request for Product Support Action (SRPSA)

This step is required to apply the revised interval prior to official manual publication.

West Star Aviation: Proactive Planning for Complex Inspections

West Star Aviation has been actively communicating this requirement to operators during 180-month inspection planning and quoting, in order to help customers make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary interior removals.

Our teams bring deep experience in Bombardier Global Express airframe inspections, interior integration, and structural access planning, allowing us to:

• Identify opportunities to streamline maintenance events
• Coordinate inspections to reduce downtime
• Ensure compliance with evolving OEM guidance
• Support SRPSA coordination when required

Plan Ahead, Reduce Downtime

This update highlights the importance of forward-looking maintenance planning, particularly at the 120-month inspection milestone. Completing the appropriate tasks at the right time can eliminate significant work later in the aircraft’s lifecycle.

If your aircraft is approaching a 120-month or 180-month inspection, now is the time to evaluate your maintenance strategy.

Please contact any of the West Star Aviation Specialists below for more information on:

• Applicability of AW700-53-0979
• Inspection planning and task alignment
• Interior removal avoidance strategies
• Scheduling and downtime optimization
• West Star’s full range of Global Express capabilities

Steve Blume

Technical Sales Manager, Bombardier 

(ALN)

Cell: 618.818.5893

[email protected]

Randy Miller

Technical Sales Manager Challenger & Global 

(GJT)

Tel 970.462.5513 

[email protected]

Connor Mottice

Technician Sales Manager

(CHA)

Office 423.320.6156

[email protected]

Jeff Messmer

Technical Sales Manager

(PCD)

Cell 314.607.4069

[email protected]

George Laiten

Director of Business Development Bombardier

(ALN)

Cell: <a href=618.798.1173

[email protected]

Brian Bauwens

Director Business Development, Bombardier 

(ALN)

Cell: 618.419.1828

[email protected]