Story ID: 140Oct19
AMAC Touts Its MRO Side
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Completion centers such as AMAC Aerospace often offer and rely on VIP aircraft MRO and support services as part of their business models.
Word Count: 680
Though bespoke cabin designs and interior installations are the glamour side of the business, completion centers often offer and rely on VIP aircraft MRO and support services as part of their business models. And AMAC Aerospace is among the most active. The Basel, Switzerland-based company announced in August completing a trio of ADS-B Out installations, on two privately-owned B737s and one Airbus A319, among a slew of other non-completion projects. Orders for three more ADS-B installations are also in hand.

Meanwhile, AMAC completed major maintenance projects on an additional two BBJs (one a head-of-state aircraft) and an ACJ319. The BBJs underwent a heavy maintenance check and a base maintenance check, respectively, and were returned to service on schedule. The ACJ319 underwent major maintenance and a landing gear overhaul. All three bizliners also received minor unspecified interior modifications.

The company recently announced plans for a fifth hangar at its Basel headquarters facility, an investment of some $17 million, primarily to support its Bombardier-authorized serviced center activity. But AMAC also provides Gulfstream service and reported recent completion of a G550 C-Check with service bulletin compliance, corrosion treatment, and minor interior modifications.

AMAC's mobile repair squad has also been active. The company reported responding to a pair of AOG service requests in August, one from Zurich, the other from Africa for a Gulfstream GIV. The company sent a team to Africa within 24 hours, where work was still underway near the month’s end.

Additionally, AMAC announced new maintenance contracts for two Airbuses—an ACJ340 and ACJ318—for unscheduled maintenance and minor cabin refurbishment, respectively; a BBJ C-Check and ADS-B install; and a Gulfstream G450 for an expedited pre-purchase inspection.

In late August, AMAC signed new contracts for a McDonnell Douglas MD-87 major modification, as well as a BBJ for a FANS and Iridium satcom system for FANS installation under AMAC's STC. The aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Basel in September and November, respectively.
Completions Work
A full plate of MRO work notwithstanding, AMAC remains committed to its VIP cabin design and completion business, underscored by the introduction in May of a cabin concept for the A350-900 XWB, created in partnership with Pininfarina. According to the Italian design firm, the design will “make passengers forget” they’re on an aircraft, even if it’s a customized executive airliner with a range in excess of 11,000 nm with 25 passengers aboard.

The concept draws on architectural, nautical, and aerial influences. “Our 360-degree vision on the living spaces, thanks to our expertise in different sectors, allowed us to conceive an innovative concept able to let the traveler enjoy the time onboard as he was in his living room or office,” said group chairman Paolo Pininfarina.

The multifunctional interior space is “conceived around the traveler’s desires and able to fulfill all his needs: relaxing, working, dining, entertaining conversations, and holding meetings,” the design firm said, with private and working spaces joined in a seamless flow. A welcoming area includes a wet bar, and the lounge space is sculptured by a flowing band drawing passengers to different environments such as a cocoon-like relaxing area. There is also a dining/meeting space and a “green space” dedicated to personal, relaxing moments. The concept is currently without a name, but group chairman Pininfarina said the partnership with AMAC “gives the warranty to turn this innovative concept into reality.”

AMAC has “installed contemporary, culturally assertive, intelligently designed cabins in the past,” said director of business development Waleed Muhiddin. “But what we see today from Pininfarina is a whole new kind of cabin, harnessed with clever human input that manifests itself into areas that anyone can work in, relax, and utilize.”

With deliveries of the ACJ350 XWB platform scheduled to begin next year, “We are excited to see how much attention it can create in the private aviation market, and hope to able to work together in the future with the OEM and the Pininfarina design studio,” Muhiddin said.