Story ID: 469JSSINBAA2018
JSSI Acquires S3 Aero 
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The firm launches a new C&D Mobile app.
Word Count: 516
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI, Booth 1134) is continuing to grow organically and via strategic acquisitions. On Tuesday, it announced that it acquired the assets of S3 Aero Specialists, a provider of business aviation consulting services, including appraisals, safety compliance, asset management, and technical oversight. Richard Thompson, principal of S3 Aero Specialists, has been named director of JSSI Advisory Services and will be responsible for business development. 

Thompson has held a range of positions during his 25-year career in the aviation industry, including A&P technician, completion manager, service center manager, director of maintenance, consultant, and qualified appraiser and auditor. He holds a senior appraiser accreditation from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and is Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant as a senior appraiser. Thompson is also an accredited auditor for the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC’s) operations and aircraft handling safety standard programs: IS-BAO and IS-BAH, respectively.  

Separately, recently acquired JSSI unit Conklin & de Decker has launched a cloud-based mobile app that gives subscribers instant access to its aircraft comparison data, including the Conklin & de Decker Report, and intuitive access to data previously available in the Aircraft Cost Evaluator tool.

“Earlier this year, JSSI announced the acquisition of Conklin & de Decker. We set out to combine the expertise of two industry veterans and bring a new level of transparency, data, and functionality to aircraft owners and operators worldwide,” said JSSI president and Neil Book.

The new app and online report integrate Aircraft Cost Evaluator, Conklin & de Decker’s flagship product for more than 30 years, with key performance data and imagery from the company’s Aircraft Performance Comparator. The tools incorporate the AircraftPedia database to create a comprehensive browsing experience for more than 500 jets, turboprops, pistons, and helicopters.

The new mobile app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Users can gain complimentary guest access to the mobile app with limited features or they can subscribe via the Conklin & de Decker website for full access. Existing subscribers can sign in immediately to view comprehensive performance and cost data on the go, as well as the option to download and share a detailed Conklin & de Decker Report, from anywhere.

Combining Conklin & de Decker with JSSI gives the combined company a better opportunity to monetize its data and provide business aviation with more transparency, said Book. “We have 30 years of hourly cost data on 2,000 aircraft as a result of being in that business. I think the [business aviation] industry is craving access to that data.”

Monetizing and adding value to its data and moving heavier into the appraisal sector are just two of the ways JSSI is continuing to vertically integrate, Book said, noting that its JSSI Parts business, initially begun as a customer convenience, has grown 75 percent annually over the last three years, expanded into the general marketplace, and now includes engine and APU rentals and whole aircraft purchases for teardown, including, recently, a Gulfstream V.