Flying Colours Corp. to Paint and Perform Select Maintenance on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Fleet

Flying Colours Corp. has been awarded a contract by Public Services and Procurement Canada on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Air Services Branch, which requires the corporation to provide exterior aircraft paintwork and refinishing services.

Rendering of the paintwork to be applied to the RCMP Pilatus PC-12. photo courtesy of flying colours corp.

The services will be offered on an as-required basis for an initial period of two years, with the potential to cover a period of up to eight years. Flying Colours has worked with the RCMP previously and were once again successful in winning the public bid for the work. 

The first aircraft, a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop, was inducted at the Flying Colours Peterborough facility at the end of March, with work expected to be completed and the aircraft re-delivered in early May. A second aircraft, another PC-12, is already confirmed to arrive in October 2023. The RCMP aircraft will be painted aviation gray with a three-stripe scheme in navy blue, federal yellow and toreador red, with the organization’s insignia bisecting the red and yellow stripes. The iconic logo, which features a uniformed officer mounted on a horse, will be painted on the tail in navy blue.

“This is a really unique project, and as a family-run Canadian company with its roots in aviation painting, we are proud to support the RCMP as they upgrade their aircraft exteriors. I know our team is looking forward to honouring the force with the highest quality work and are excited to be applying the emblematic logo onto the aircraft,” says Eric Gillespie, executive VP at Flying Colours.  

The RCMP operates a fleet of 25 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft from 19 air service locations in 11 provinces and territories across Canada. Airbus H145, H125 & H120 helicopters, Cessna 206 & 208 turboprops, De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters, Quest Kodiak and Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft comprise the fleet.

The mixed aircraft will be painted in Flying Colours' state-of-the-art paint hangar by the highly experienced paint team, which has worked in the facility since opening two years ago. The state-of-the-art facility is fully computerized and climate controlled. It features a pressurized cross-draft paint booth equipped with 168 energy-efficient lights that simulate natural daylight to optimize paint colour matches and visibility for technicians. The sanding, paint, purge, and cure application sequence reduces environmental impact through intelligently designed air recirculation and exhaust systems, decreasing the heat needed to operate while reducing paint emissions released into the air.

Flying Colours will be exhibiting at the Canadian Business Aviation Association meeting in Calgary 11- 13 July 2023 on booth 508.

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Flying Colours Corporation Completes 240 Month Heavy Inspection for Bombardier Global Aircraft

Flying Colours Corporation has completed another 240-month heavy inspection for a Bombardier Global aircraft announced Tuesday.

Flying Colours Corp. regularly conducts heavy inspections on Bombardier Global and Challenger airframes at its Canada and US bases. Photo courtesy of Flying Colours Corp.

The maintenance team regularly conducts heavy inspections for Global and Challenger types and used this extensive experience to complete a rigorous inspection of the Global Express jet at the Flying Colours Corp. Peterborough Ont., headquarters.

In addition, a landing gear overhaul along with a number of anticipated restoration tasks was also undertaken.

Running parallel with the maintenance tasks was a Collins Venue Cabin Management System installation which was blended with Alto Aviation switches. The controls are specifically designed to fit into previous switch panel location holes resulting in a solution that maximizes client budget and reduces installation time significantly.

To support the existing Ka-band connectivity upgraded routers were repositioned to support cabin and flight deck connectivity.

To optimize rest, relaxation and productivity the AIMSKYLAB soundproofing system was integrated, considerably reducing noise in the cabin. Externally the aircraft fuselage was stripped and repainted to deliver an as new look to the airframe.

“Our experience installing the blended Venue and Alto Switch offering and our capacity to fulfill maintenance, interior, paint and avionics tasks makes Flying Colours Corp. an attractive choice for aircraft owners. Undertaking all the work at a single venue reduces downtime and maximizes the budget which is also very appealing. For this customer the result was an improved ownership experience with improved connectivity, reduced noise levels and a new-look fuselage,” said Eric Gillespie, Executive VP, Flying Colours Corp.

The 240-month inspection involves completely stripping the aircraft down to the frame, enabling an in-depth look at the aircraft fuselage to check for signs of everything from stress fractures to corrosion, as well as other issues that may have affected the structural integrity of the aircraft.

The cabin was also laid bare, with panels, carpets, insulating surfaces floorboards, monuments, fairings, and side ledges removed for assessments and overhauls.

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Flying Colours Joins Leading International Association IADA

Flying Colours Corporation, the international maintenance, repair and overhaul business has become a verified Products and Services member of IADA, the International Aircraft Dealers Association.

Photo courtesy of Flying Colours Corp.

Joining the prestigious association bolsters the Canada-headquartered business strategy of supporting aircraft owners, operators and brokers throughout the transaction and ownership process.

“The ability to strengthen existing relationships, forge new ones with like-minded professionals, and meet new customers informed our decision to take up membership,” said Kevin Kliethermes, Director of Sales for Flying Colours Corp. “We have already begun to work with a number of new companies as a result. We are also looking forward to participating in the great events that IADA plans, contributing educational materials to the website and of course maximizing the full range of opportunities presented by IADA membership.”

The company also supports a growing number of aircraft transactions by sourcing aircraft, conducting pre-buy inspections, and subsequently completing technical modifications and refurbishment work as needed.

The streamlined acquisition process increases efficiencies and reduces aircraft downtime enabling owners to begin optimizing the new asset as soon as possible.

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Flying Colours Completes Ten-Year Inspection On Heavy Maintenance For An Aircraft

Flying Colours Corp. has completed a 120-month heavy maintenance inspection for a Bombardier Global XRS aircraft.

Photo Courtesy of Flying Colours Corp.

In addition to the airframe inspection and maintenance strip down, the aircraft underwent additional upgrades including the equipping of Ka-band connectivity and ADS-B Out installation.

The Honeywell JetWave™ Ka-band system necessitated hardware installation of a tail-mounted antenna, cabin router, modem and associated wiring to support global high-speed connectivity. Full external paintwork completed the aircraft enhancements before redelivery to the owner. A further three Bombardier Global aircraft are scheduled for ten-year heavy checks over the next six months at Flying Colours Corp.’ North America facilities.

A full pre-purchase inspection accompanied the maintenance work, which was conducted on behalf of a UK-based customer. The positioning into North America for the complex project highlights a growing trend Flying Colours Corp. is noticing as European owners and operators recognize the distinct benefits of having maintenance, interior, avionics, and paintwork projects completed in parallel in-house at a single location at competitive rates.

“Our extensive experience, reputation for quality output and established high-tech facilities where we can complete all work under one roof makes our offering extremely attractive for those needing multifaceted work scopes fulfilled on time and within tight budgets,” says Eric Gillespie, Flying Colours Corp executive vice president. "The larger the package the greater the justification for bringing aircraft to our North American facilities.”

The expert team’s ability to provide MRO support in conjunction with pre-purchase inspections, transaction and pre-registration administrative support ensures customers maximize budgets and minimize downtime.

Interest is coming from predominantly northern European-based operators. Confirmed European projects for the next quarter include a major 240-month maintenance inspection, cabin management system upgrade and full exterior paintwork for a Bombardier Global Express as well as a 48-month inspection on a Challenger 605.

“We’re gaining significant traction in Europe and we anticipate that as our profile continues to rise in the EMEA region and the pandemic recedes, we will support and satisfy the needs of an increasing range of owners,” adds Andrew Pearce, Flying Colours EMEA sales manager.

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Peterborough Continues To Put Itself On Aviation Map As Flying Colours Completes Trio Of Corporate Shuttles

Peterborough’s Flying Colours Corp. has redelivered a third modified Bombardier Challenger 850 to an undisclosed Fortune 500 company. The aircraft was originally completed from green by Flying Colours in an executive VIP layout and returned to Flying Colours for reconfiguration as a 19-passenger corporate shuttle this spring. 

The latest aircraft in the trio of corporate shuttles perfectly showcases the depth and breadth of Flying Colours Corp.’ spectrum of services. Sourcing of the aircraft originated at its Peterborough headquarters as three aircraft from around the globe were identified as potential candidates for the customer. Technicians were dispatched to evaluate the merits of each model, and on final selection Flying Colours worked as a liaison between the relevant parties—resulting in a successful pre-purchase inspection and sale.  

The vibrant paint work completed at the new Flying Colours Corp. paint shop in Peterborough (Photo courtesy Flying Colours)

The technical project including extensive maintenance work, avionics upgrades, and complete interior reconfiguration took place at Flying Colours’ St. Louis, Missouri facility, while the external paint application was completed at the recently opened state-of-the-art paint shop at Peterborough Aiport.

The seamless liaison between the two Flying Colours sites highlights the complementary natures of its North American facilities.

The interior now features corporate shuffle configuration for up to 19 passengers. (Photo courtesy Flying Colours.)

“Having completed the original green VIP completion back in 2011, it was interesting for our team to modify our own work to convert the aircraft into a hard-working corporate shuttle,” says Sean Gillespie, Executive VP of Flying Colours.

“The project provided a great showcase for our end-to-end service as there are not many organizations which can provide such an integrated offering,” he adds. “This is the third Challenger 850 conversion that we’ve made for this customer and it speaks volumes about our ability to innovate to meet the demanding expectations of our customers.”

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Flying Colours Corp. Completes 240-Month Global Express Heavy Inspection At Peterborough Headquarters

Flying Colours Corp. has completed a 240 month inspection for a Bombardier Global Express aircraft. The intense check took place at their headquarters at Peterborough Airport where a technical team with extensive heavy maintenance experience completed the twenty-year inspection.

Completely stripped back to the air frame, a thorough check for corrosion, stress fractures and other issues that may affect the structural integrity of the aircraft was undertaken. This was followed by a number of service bulletin updates.

In conjunction with the mandatory 240 month inspection tasks and landing gear restoration, additional hourly inspections were completed, as well as, multiple service bulletins to inspect for and correct flap corrosion. In the new fully computerised and climate controlled state-of-the-art paint shop which opened this March at the Canadian company’s headquarters, paint work touch ups rejuvenated the fuselage. 

Flying Colours performing heavy maintenance checks on Bombardier Global aircraft types (Photo courtesy Flying Colours)

The aircraft was already familiar to the Flying Colours Corp. team, having visited Peterborough just two years’ ago for a complete cabin refurbishment and new fuselage paintwork under previous ownership.

Minor touch ups to the cabinetry and soft furnishings were also undertaken in parallel with the latest maintenance. Confirming the company’s expertise on this platform, a further two Bombardier Global Express heavy maintenance checks are in the pipeline, with a 120- and 240-month scheduled in the next six months. 

“The 240 month inspection is extensive and requires extreme attention to detail to ensure the aircraft is structurally safe to enter back into service,” says Kevin Kliethermes, Director of Sales, Flying Colours Corp. With most early production Global aircraft still operating, Kliethermes says the team is pleased to be supporting future inspections. “As a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility, we are very well positioned to support owners of this airframe.”

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