Company Plans More Training For Upcoming /47E Model

Aero-News learned this week the turbine maintenance department at Banyan Air Service recently performed their first 10-year Pilatus demate.

The project required extensive special tooling and custom fabrication of wing shoring. Banyan's Curtis Florio, Hartley Starratt and Misael Rodriguez fabricated the necessary shoring and performed the work under the direction of crew leader, Dan Day.

"This was an easy job, partially because a lot of thought went into the design of the aircraft and because of the support we received from Pilatus Field Service Engineer, Mark Frank," said Florio (shown above).

Florio is Banyan's expert with Pilatus aircraft and recently attended the 2007 annual Pilatus Support Meeting in Vail, CO. The two-day meeting covered technical issues with the PC12 aircraft, as well as information on upcoming PC-12/47E, which is currently on the production line. In anticipation of servicing this new Pilatus model, Banyan will receive training in early 2008 and add the necessary tooling requirements.

Over the last year, Banyan has serviced over 50 Pilatus aircraft exceeding 195 work orders for Pilatus avionics and maintenance. In addition, Banyan provides maintenance tracking for aircraft owners on maintenance requirements, service bulletins and airworthiness directives.

Banyan's aircraft maintenance department at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) offers aircraft maintenance services, including turbine and engine maintenance, structural repairs and modifications, avionics installations and support, interior refurbishment, exterior painting and part sales and distribution. In addition to servicing Pilatus aircraft, Banyan specializes in King Air, Citations, Hawker and Learjets.

Banyan is both an FAA and EASA approved repair station, and holds government maintenance approvals for Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil.

FMI: www.banyanair.com, www.pilatus-aircraft.com