Canadian aerospace manufacturer Marsh Brothers Aviation (MBA) has secured a contract to supply its King Air flap roller kit to CJ Aerospace, an aircraft spare parts distributor in Australia. The Sydney-based company will provide retrofit kits for installation at two maintenance facilities, replacing the existing greased flap roller bearings on two King Air 200/300 series aircraft. Each kit includes 16 rollers.

The Beechcraft King Air is popular among various Australian government agencies, including the Royal Australia Air Force and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The rise in demand for the aircraft has been attributed to its versatility and performance across different environments.

CJ Aerospace owner Craig Jones says: “The growth in demand for King Air aircraft in Australia has increased largely due to the aircraft's all-weather flexibility and potential to perform a diverse range of roles. However, the original greased roller bearings in the wing flaps do not respond too well to changes in altitude temperature, causing moisture ingress and corrosion.”

King Air operators commonly face maintenance challenges due to dried-out lubricating grease in these bearings, prompting Textron to adjust the inspection intervals for better reliability. Jones further explained that by utilising the self-lubricating polymer material from Marsh Brothers, operators could significantly lower maintenance costs and enhance aircraft availability.

MBA's manager of business development, Juan Rivera, adds: “This contract award is a significant development for Australian King Air operators. We are delighted that CJ Aerospace has agreed to trial the King Air roller kit. This opportunity allows us to collect comprehensive data from aircraft flying daily in a unique environment. It helps to validate the expected performance of the rollers and builds confidence around the product.”

CJ Aerospace's initiative to trial the roller kit comes after Transport Canada's approval of the polymer bearing technology for commercial application. With the support of the bilateral agreement between CASA and Transport Canada, MBA’s King Air roller kit can now be utilised by Australian operators.