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

Bombardier completion and MRO specialist Flying Colours (Booth 923) is highlighting this week at NBAA-BACE recent milestones in its GlobalEye Surveillance completions&nbsp;and Q400MR multipurpose missions conversion programs. The Canadian company in August delivered its fifth GlobalEye—which is based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 airframe—to Saab, the system’s developer, in partnership with the airframer.

 


Flying Colours executive v-p Sean Gillespie noted his company “has extensive experience working on the Global family, in both VIP and special mission formats.”

 


The company also notched in July the fourth redelivery of a Bombardier Q400MR multipurpose aircraft conversion to aerial firefighting specialist Conair. Flying Colours provides four interchangeable cabin interiors for the turboprop twin: passenger, cargo, combi-transport, and medevac/special missions. Conair equips the aircraft with firefighting capability after redelivery.

 


“The quick-change interiors maximize operational efficiency and lower costs in a diverse range of operating environments,” said Gillespie. For both the GlobalEye and Q400MR programs, Flying Colours handles all engineering, fabrication, required certification, and installation of the interiors.

 


Based on experience spanning an array of special missions interiors developed for government, military, border forces, and private clients over the years, Gillespie said creating a practical, functional area for a very precise task requires “an intelligent approach, technical expertise, and engineering talent.” Engineers “leverage the original airframe to perform above and beyond the original spec, adapted for an unambiguous role,” he said. “We effectively alter the aircraft DNA, so it becomes perfectly designed to execute a particular task.”

 


Gillespie noted increased interest in special missions requests for multipurpose interiors and conversion of regional jets into corporate shuttle interiors in the last six months.

 


The GlobalEyes, whose missions can last 10 or more hours, are outfitted with “a practical, functional interior,” an environment essential for mission system operators.&nbsp;It includes mission consoles, crew rest area, galley, storage area, lavatory, and cockpit customization. Each monument shipset for the interiors is individually produced. (The classified GlobalEye system components are installed by Saab after delivery of the outfitted Global.) This fifth GlobalEye is for the UAE, and Gillespie said more GlobalEye sales are “in the works” and expected to close.

 


Meanwhile, two more Q400MR conversions for Conair are on order, with redelivery of both anticipated next year. Flying Colours also offers a quick-change air medevac interior with six intensive care units for the Q400.

 


In response to the growing crisis of wildfires seen globally, Flying Colours is expanding its aerial firefighting support capabilities. Additionally, the company will attend the upcoming Aerial Firefighting Conference in Abbotsford, British Columbia, later this month.

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