Story ID: 
West Star Expanding Aircraft Mx Second Shifts
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: West Star Aviation aims to reduce aircraft maintenance turn times by double-digit percentages with expanded second shifts.
Word Count: 169
In addition to its move to equip maintenance technicians with iPads to improve efficiency, West Star Aviation is expanding second shifts at its four full-service MRO locations. The expanded second shift effort thus far has reduced turn-times by as much as 25 to 30 percent in certain instances, according to the company. The shift expansions have already occurred or will be implemented at West Star sites in East Alton, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Perryville, Missouri.

Additionally, the company has implemented a new learning management system that will allow its technicians to access on-demand technical training by way of their iPads. The system also includes a library of West Star’s in-house technical experts performing certain tasks for newer technicians to watch and use for reference.

“We are improving several aspects of our workflow process as a larger overall objective, resulting in the most skilled technicians providing the quickest service to our valued customers,” said West Star Grand Junction general manager Dave Krogman.