Bombardier yesterday opened a maintenance technician training center in Wichita just weeks after upgrading a wheel and tire shop, marking a combined $50 million investment at the site. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Lt. Gov. David Toland, Bombardier senior leaders, and industry stakeholders gathered to christen the new facility.
The North American Learning Center will initially help standardize training for new-hire maintenance technicians at Bombardier’s 10 U.S. service centers. Bombardier told AIN that courses for advanced maintenance training and interior removal and installation are likely to be added later at the center. The company expects roughly 250 new-hires to go through two-week courses there over the next year.
Notably, the center houses a Global 5000 fuselage (from a retired flight-test airplane), raised on jack stands, that lets students work on an actual airplane without worrying about damaging a customer aircraft, the company said. It also has back shops where students can practice sheet metal work, safety wire twisting, and other maintenance tasks, in addition to computer learning classrooms where they can learn how to use digital aircraft maintenance manuals, order parts, and look up information such as airworthiness directives.
Meanwhile, the modernized wheel and tire shop will help to double throughput from 2,300 units last year to 5,000 this year. With a more efficient workflow and the addition of automated equipment, Bombardier believes the shop, at full ramp-up, will be able to service up to 15,000 wheels and tires annually.
“Wichita has long been an important part of Bombardier’s story, and we continue to see tremendous opportunity for the site,” said Paul Sislian, executive v-p of aircraft sales and Bombardier aftermarket services. “Our approximately $50 million investment brings together important initiatives across the site, from the new learning center to expanded wheel and tire capabilities, strengthening both our people and our operations. This commitment to Wichita’s future will deepen the expertise and capabilities that will allow us to deliver an even stronger experience for our customers, while positioning the site for continued growth.”
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