Flying Colours is meeting demand for 192-month inspections, as heavy maintenance checks on a trio of Bombardier Challenger-family aircraft continue at its St. Louis, Missouri facility. The latest series of heavy inspections began in April when an early model Bombardier Challenger 300 began the full gamut of heavy maintenance inspections, service bulletins and full landing gear restoration. A second early production Bombardier Challenger 300 began its 192-maintenance check in May and will subsequently have an interior upgrade and new external paint work completed by Flying Colours, before being redelivered to the customer. Joining the Challenger 300s is a CL604, which checked into the St. Louis hangars in July, and is currently undergoing a rigorous maintenance review.

A number of the aircraft components including flaps, doors and windshields are removed for close inspection and the landing gear undergoes complete restoration. With more than 100 heavy maintenance inspections on Bombardier Challenger aircraft under its belt, the Flying Colours team applies all its accumulated hours of knowledge and experience to complete these critical safety inspections on time and on budget.

“The Challenger models are exceptional aircraft, with the Challenger 300 being the world's most popular super mid-size model. With more than a thousand original Challengers still in operation we have the tried and tested capabilities to complete these intense checks as they become due. With our dedicated interiors facility, external paint shops and avionics expertise we can also support customers looking to upgrade and refurbish aircraft at the same time,” says Eric Gillespie, executive VP of Flying Colours.

The company is also busy with heavy checks on other aircraft types including Hawker Beechcraft, Falcon and Bombardier Global Express models at St. Louis and Peterborough. “Each heavy check we learn something new, and this has helped us develop essential skills,” Gillespie explains. “Our maintenance team anticipates the expected and unexpected issues that occur with each check. That adds real value for our customers who know they can rely on our experience to complete thorough inspections. We're anticipating many more passing through our hangars in the next year.”