Sun Air Jets, a business jet operator and FBO headquartered in Camarillo, California, has recently completed a large-scale maintenance inspection on a client's Gulfstream G550. The project included 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 144-month inspections, which involves disassembling portions of the aircraft including the landing gear, fuselage, interior and tail section, a detailed inspection of all applicable parts and structure, operational checks and then reassembling the aircraft for return to service.

As the industry faces a decreased demand for private jet charter flights due to the coronavirus outbreak, the maintenance department seized the opportunity to perform this intensive maintenance event.

The team is also in the midst of performing similar maintenance projects on other aircraft during this downtime to ensure clients' assets are properly maintained, up-to-date on aircraft inspections and ready to fly when requested.

“Aircraft owners are looking at their schedules for the rest of the year and are choosing to utilise the current slowdown to conduct large scale maintenance events, helping free up the plane for the rest of the year. We schedule all other minor maintenance events around the owners' normal schedule, minimising the required downtime for scheduled maintenance,” says Rob Cox, EVP of maintenance for Sun Air Jets.

Sun Air Jets' aircraft owners receive exclusive access to the maintenance department, which includes trained Gulfstream technicians. As a Part 145 repair station, the department is also fully integrated with its safety management system, having achieved all four major industry safety standards, and provides unmatched rates to aircraft owners.