US MRO specialist Constant Aviation has added to its nationwide aircraft on ground (AOG) mobile response network with a new Philadelphia-based group that will focus on servicing southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. It is the second new location this year after the new station in Salt Lake City. Constant Aviation now operates 28 AOG teams nationally, up by more than 30 per cent from the 21 teams in 2020.

“In my 25 years in the private aviation industry, this continues to be one of the most robust periods we have seen and that has generated record demand for our services,” says CEO David H Davies. “The increase in AOG service locations is intended to help meet current demand, but mobile AOG services have proven sustainable in all market conditions as aircraft always need on-demand service at the hundreds of smaller airports that lack substantial maintenance capabilities.”

The company is bolstering its capabilities by expanding hiring, not only in its newest locations but also in such high demand areas as California, Texas, Florida, the Chicago and Scottsdale metro areas and the greater northeastern US.

“We've always said our most important asset is our workforce of trained, talented technicians, and that has never been more true than during the current surge in business,” Davies continues. “We're looking to expand our team by recruiting new technicians through a range of channels and offering not only opportunity but also the most competitive compensation and the best working conditions in the industry.”

Constant Aviation recently enhanced its maintenance technician apprenticeship programme, which enables applicants without military or college training to participate in a two year aviation services programme and earn the FAA airframe certification, a first step in a career in aviation services. Programme participants learn by performing technical tasks alongside veteran technicians and participate in classroom and lab work all while earning a steady income. Constant Aviation covers the cost of all training and certification testing for the programme.

The company is also recruiting established technicians by offering a $15,000 signing bonus for military veteran candidates, a $2,000 signing bonus for other successful technical position candidates and grants of up to $8,000 to successful AOG technician candidates following the completion of their first year with the company. And it has boosted recruitment and retention by increasing pay to all technicians by 10 per cent, offering tuition reimbursements and increased paid time off and expanding career-enhancing training opportunities, with training engagements up 150 per cent.

The 28 AOG mobile teams now support 86 aircraft models from 14 manufacturers, and each AOG vehicle is fully equipped and supplemented with expanded tooling strategically placed around the country, so aircraft can be serviced wherever they are located, whether in a hangar, at an FBO or on a ramp.

Constant Aviation also operates full service aircraft maintenance facilities at Cleveland Hopkins International airport in Ohio and Orlando Sanford International airport in Florida, that provide airframe and engine maintenance, major repairs, avionics, interiors and painting.