LONDON – ACI Jet a Southern Californian-based business aviation solutions provider reports a positive swing in recent years, as business jet aviation usage grew substantially.
Over the past few years, the company has welcomed a new FBO (Fixed Based Operator) into its portfolio of services, with an $85 million FBO terminal and hangars at John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in Orange County, and a $20 million, 28,000sq. ft terminal with adjoining 25,000sq. ft maintenance hangar at its main base at San Luis Obispo Regional Airport (KSLO).
There are currently 60 employees being hired by ACI Jet.
FBO being a crucial part of the business aviation world, its MRO services (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul) business is growing exponentially, which is in-line with the growth of business aviation movements.
Dave Jensen ACI Jet senior VP of aircraft maintenance said in an interview with AIN (Aviation International News): “Prior to what the industry has been experiencing recently with growth, pre-pandemic, our goal was to be a larger supporter for Bombardier in California.”
“We saw that as an opportunity as both a management company and as an MRO to step into that field. So, I think a lot of that was just building that reputation, getting the Bombardier ASF [authorization], really just building all our capabilities to be comparable to an OEM type facility or a larger facility like a Duncan or a West Star.”
ACI Jet also prides itself on being a BAS, or Bombardier Authorised Service facility, and has been for the last 3 years at ASF at KSLO airport where its maintenance capabilities are at their strongest, with 60,000sq. ft worth of hangarage and space. One of which is as large as 35,000sq. ft and the other being 25,000sq. ft.
ACI being a BAS facility can maintain and oversee large overhaul projects such as the smaller Challenger 300/600 facilities and the longer range Global jet range up to the 6500. On those selected business jets, ACI Jets can undergo heavy maintenance, inspections and warranty and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support.
The Californian-based company is also in a process of obtaining a heavy maintenance certification on the global 7500, Bombardier’s flagship aircraft.
Moreover, the company also serves as a parts warehouse for Bombardier, with off-the-shelf access to the most demanded parts. Creating extreme value for the company.
Besides its MRO being somewhat exclusive to Bombardier, ACI Jet has also been given a Part 145 repair station for regional business jets, such as the Cessna Citation Jets, including the 500, 510, 525, 560XL, 680, and 750 series. This is an impressive range from Textron Aviation, considering the company is exclusive to Bombardier.
Jensens stated with excitement and pride: “For our scheduled, heavier maintenance we do limit ourselves to Citation and Bombardier aircraft. The reasoning behind that, was we didn’t want to be a jack-of-all-trades.”
“We wanted to be experts on the frames we do best. And our history began with Citations. That’s where the company began from a charter and management standpoint. It’s where our maintenance, tooling, and expertise were built up.”
He further added that ACI can support any AOG business aircraft flying above the United States airspace as he literally stated that: “pretty much any business aircraft out there.”
ACI is becoming a one-stop shop for MROs and AOG for virtually all types of business aircraft, creating impressive value and importance for the company.
