A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Swiss technology company Ruag (Hall 4, D3; Hall 2c, D371) is highlighting at the Paris Air Show the capabilities of its Space, Aerostructures, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) divisions.

 


With more than 40 years of launch experience, Ruag’s Space division supplies products for the institutional and commercial space markets in Europe and the U.S., specializing in&nbsp;components for satellites&nbsp;and launch&nbsp;vehicles. Its competencies lie primarily in electronics for all space&nbsp;applications; mechanical and thermal&nbsp;products for satellites; and structures and&nbsp;separation systems for launch vehicles. Customers and partners include ESA, NASA, ArianeGroup, Airbus Defense &amp;&nbsp;Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, United&nbsp;Launch Alliance, Space Systems Loral,&nbsp;Orbital ATK, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.

 


The Ruag MRO International division is the company’s center of excellence for civil and military aircraft maintenance, upgrade programs, and aviation systems and subsystems. Aircraft services include airframe MRO,&nbsp;component and subsystems MRO,&nbsp;engineering,&nbsp;system upgrades,&nbsp;cockpit and avionics reconfigurations,&nbsp;painting,&nbsp;fleet management,&nbsp;logistics management, and support and consulting. Its highly specialized support capabilities for specific aircraft and helicopters span the entire life cycle of these platforms, encompassing maintenance, repair and overhaul services;&nbsp;upgrades;&nbsp;and developing, manufacturing, and integrating&nbsp;subsystems and components.

 


Ruag Aviation’s facility in Sion, Switzerland, has been named among the first helicopter services providers in Europe to earn manufacturer MRO approval for the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, which entered service late last year. Bell 505s are shipped to Europe partially disassembled, separated into airframe, tailboom, main rotor blades, and transmission. Ruag reassembles, tests, and certifies the aircraft as ready for service. “Our trained specialists in Sion ensure a reliable and prompt reassembly,” said Ruag head of commercial helicopter services Claudio Zeiter.

 


In March, Pilatus Aircraft renewed MRO International’s PC-12 service center authorization, in place for 11 years. Operators “have come to understand that this expertise translates into the prompt and reliable resolution of routine maintenance events and optimized downtimes, all of which means improved aircraft availability and more time in the air,” said Ruag Geneva site general manager Pio Ming.

 


Also this year, Ruag Australia and its Victoria MRO gained EASA Part 145 approval to perform MRO and line support for European-registered aircraft on components in systems such as air conditioning and pressurization, engine/APU, fuel, pneumatic and vacuum, and ice/rain/fire protection.

 


In addition, as the manufacturer (OEM) of the Dornier 228, a versatile aircraft for special missions as well as passenger and cargo operations, Ruag focuses on customer support solutions, including OEM services.

 


As an independent supplier, support provider, and integrator of systems and components for civil and military aviation worldwide, MRO International also develops, manufactures, and supports simulation and training systems for live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training. Incorporating complex and flexible functions, the simulation technology supports realistic training scenarios adapted to mission goals at individual, team, and unit instruction levels.

 


Meanwhile, Ruag’s Aerostructure division specializes in the development, manufacturing, and final assembly of complete fuselage sections for passenger aircraft, wing and control surface components, as well as sophisticated component assemblies and parts. Known for its ability to manage complex supply chain networks, the division is currently responsible for the complete&nbsp;global fuselage section supply chains&nbsp;for Airbus and Bombardier.

Ruag Showcases Space, MRO and Aerostructures Capabilities

Bell 505, Pilatus PC-12 approvals among Swiss tech company’s recent news.

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