Story ID: 423_FlyingColours
Business Is Bright for Flying Colours
By: Amy Laboda
Caption: 
Word Count: 350
Flying Colours is to begin the first phase of a three-phase infrastructure expansion project in June, the company announced here at EBACE this week. The initial phase of construction is the addition of 20,000 sq ft to the third hangar at its facility in Peterborough, Ontario (Canada). Further development will continue over the next two years to expand the overall facility.

In March, the company, which specializes in completions, refurbishment and maintenance, was awarded AS9100 certification. Flying Colours (Booth 1855) also has incorporated “lean” technology production and manufacturing systems at its facilities in Peterborough and at its JetCorp Technical Services subsidiary in St. Louis, Missouri. Both companies are exhibiting at EBACE for the fifth time. Strengthening relationships with existing partners is primary on their agendas for the show.

Flying Colours has already delivered two projects to German operator Fairjets in the past six months, according to vice president Sean Gillespie. “With our Bombardier [authorized service center] status and growing interest in our services by European operators and owners, EBACE 2013 is more important than ever and we are looking forward to this year’s show,” he said. “With our growing relationships with European operators, such as FairJets, we value the potential in the region.”

The company has also expanded its CRJ conversion program beyond executive aircraft. It is now a third of the way through converting eight CRJ 200 regional airliners into 16-seat executive shuttles for an undisclosed client. Each aircraft is fitted with new business jet seats, a new executive shell kit, upgraded galley, refurbished lavatory and Inmarsat SwiftBroadband satcom installation.

With so much new work, Flying Colours is hiring additional personnel: Gabor Hasko has been appointed as director of program management within the completions division, and he is focusing on the interior modification of seven CRJ700 NextGen jets for an undisclosed Chinese customer, while Rene Lalumiere has been appointed director of avionics. In addition, 40 new staff have been hired in the expanded maintenance, interior installation, cabinetry, upholstery, program management and paint divisions, all supporting the increase in work at the Canada facility.