AIN 2009 Product Support Survey - Part 1: Aircraft | Aviation International News

AIN 2009 Product Support Survey - Part 1: Aircraft

Aircraft manufacturers last year were struggling to build their service networks and capabilities to help a growing number of operators worldwide keep thei

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

July 28, 2009

Aircraft manufacturers last year were struggling to build their service networks and capabilities to help a growing number of operators worldwide keep their aircraft flying safely and efficiently. Order backlogs were at record highs and manufacturing and product support resources were stretching thin.

Everything has changed since then, and now manufacturers are struggling to balance declining backlogs with shrinking workloads in their service centers while continuing to support their extensive fleets. This year both Gulfstream and Cessna closed factory-owned service centers (in Minneapolis and Toledo, respectively) and Hawker Beechcraft and Cessna each relocated facilities, consolidating former California bases in business-friendly Mesa, Ariz. Whereas maintenance shops used to be booked months in advance, now operators can easily get multiple competitive bids with much shorter notice.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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