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The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

ACE 2026 - September 8th

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West Star Aviation
Maintenance

Citation Sovereign

Modifications

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Illinois
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First aft canted bulkhead modification for West Star
An aft canted bulkhead modification to a Citation Sovereign is being completed at West Star's East Alton facility at the same time as the customer's routine inspection event, to minimise downtime.
Pat Welch is able to offer many other services to customers when their inspections fall due.

West Star is carrying out its first aft canted bulkhead modification for a Citation 680 at its East Alton facility. This modification can be performed at any of its three full service Textron-authorised independent service facilities.

Textron Aviation's Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB680-53-08R2) for the modification is applicable to both Sovereign (680 S/N 1-349) and Sovereign Plus (680-S/N 500-531) variants. For aircraft with 7,000 or more flight hours at the time of receipt, this service bulletin must be accomplished within 1,800 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first, from the date of receipt. Cost of the modification is covered under warranty for specific aircraft.

The SB680-53-08R2 is a mandatory modification that involves removal of the APU, associated heat shield and containment structures. The aft canted bulkhead is modified by adding structural pieces to reinforce the bonded assembly to prevent potential de-bonding of the vertical and horizontal stiffeners.

“We are happy to be able to offer our customers a large array of services and upgrades to their aircraft when their routine inspections are due,” says East Alton programme and service manager Piaggio/Cessna Pat Welch. “Our customers continually look to us to complete their maintenance in one convenient location within a reasonable timeframe, and this modification is another benefit we offer.”

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