Winglet Installation
Having installed some of the first Aviation Partner Boeing (APB) prototype winglets on 737 aircraft, ATS has been installing APB winglets on Boeing aircraft longer than most companies in the world. All combined, ATS has installed approximately 140 shipsets of winglets on 737, 757, 767-300ER and C-32 aircraft for companies such as Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, COPA Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airlines, Virgin Express (now Brussels Airlines), and the U.S. Air Force.
Winglets installed by ATS is a product designed and certified by Aviation Partners Boeing.
"Selecting the company with the most experience installing winglets gave us confidence that we would get the highest quality work and the most timely return to service for our aircraft as possible" - Hawaiian Airlines' Lorrin Sardinha
Extending life of 737 classic aircraft
Extreme makeover (EMO) of aging 737 classic airplanes allow operators to save money by avoiding replacement of aircraft in the short term
As we continue to slug our way through the global recession, airlines are among those sectors feeling the brunt of the global financial meltdown. Whether working to recoup costs associated with 2008’s explosive rise in fuel costs, or finding ways to deal with a decrease in airline passenger traffic, airlines are seeking ways to reduce costs. One way to dramatically reduce capital expenditures is delaying purchase of new aircraft by extending the life of the existing fleet of 737-300 aircraft (Classics).
By combining the technical expertise of our customer and original equipment manufacturer Boeing with ATS’ experience and technical expertise derived over many years overhauling aircraft, a special program was developed resulting in published Service Bulletin 737-53-1273. The phrase “extreme makeover” or EMO was adopted as a way of describing the 737-300 Classic Life Extension Program.
Primary tasks of the EMO effort is the replacement of OEM selected bonded skin panels (fuselage skins, window belts) with solid skin panels. Because ATS has extensive technical experience handling the EMO program, it has become efficient at minimizing delays or schedule impacts resulting from the processing of dispositions and unscheduled repairs. In addition, work defined in the Service Bulletin is being executed in tandem with the aircraft’s scheduled maintenance minimizing downtime in significantly extending its life.
Why Consider EMO?
Extending the life of a 737-300 Classic aircraft means operators do not have to commit significant financial resources in the short-term for purchasing replacement aircraft during difficult economic times.
One point operators should consider when evaluating the economic merits of extending the life of 737-300 Classic aircraft, operators should consider combining the program effort with their regularly scheduled maintenance check to minimize aircraft downtime.
Experience is Critical in Selecting an EMO Provider
If you’ve decided to undergo EMO for your aircraft, how do you go about selecting an EMO provider?
Experience and technical expertise of engineers and mechanics who have worked on 737-300 Classics are the most important factors in successfully carrying out a life extension program. ATS has serviced over 40 aircraft through the EMO program and was a member of the OEM/Operator/MRO team which developed and provided the Service Bulletin covering this project. This gives ATS the distinction of being the most experience third party MRO provider in carrying out the 737-300 Classic Life Extension Program in the industry.
If you’re an airline looking to extend the life of your 737-300s, be sure you work with a partner who has a detailed process in place, as well as experienced personnel working with 737-300 Classic aircraft. By partnering with an experienced provider such as ATS, who can quickly and efficiently combine the life extension program with a standard maintenance check, airlines can minimize their aircraft down time.