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A Different Kind of Grand Renaissance

“This was our fifth Grand Renaissance completion,” Eagle Creek Aviation Services owner Matt Hagans said, “but it was the most extensive yet because of the special requirements associated with the airplane’s fire-fighting mission.” Those requirements included an extensive array of additional communications and navigation equipment in the cockpit, and a unique combination observer/training station in the passenger cabin that is installed in place of a passenger seat, but can be removed quickly to configure the airplane for executive transportation.

“Our Grand Renaissance will differ from other aircraft in use for fire suppression in that it was designed and built with a tactical radio and mapping package to operate as an integral part of the plane, not an add-on kit or by stuffing the radios in any remaining space the instrument panel and center console could afford,” explained Kern County Air Operations pilot Scott Beck.

“The Meggitt Magic displays, Garmin avionics and hazard suite, and the tactical equipment are all arranged to be as user-friendly as possible,” Beck added. “A lot of thought and coordination between our Air Operations, Twin Commander, and Eagle Creek has led to an airborne work environment that is as ergonomically friendly as possible for the occupants. The observer/trainer station in the back of the plane is probably the only one in existence, at least the only one that I know of.”

“The Grand Renaissance completion is very, very intensive and thorough in terms of the inspections, overhaul and replacement of components, and the upgrades performed on the airplane,” Hagans explained. “The installation of all of the additional electronic equipment specified by Kern County introduced additional complexity and potential for problems. “However, even on the initial test flights there were very few squawks, and those were minor in nature. When it was all done and Twin Commander Aircraft came to formally audit the work as is required in the Grand Renaissance specification, the airplane got a clean bill of health right out of the box.”

“We are pleased to have been selected to do the project, and happy that Kern County is pleased with the results,” Hagans added. “I am extremely proud of the work our guys did.”

Byerly Aviation was contracted to paint the airplane using a distinctive, high-visibility design and color combination. “Byerly Aviation’s paint facility was delighted to be considered when the Kern County Grand Renaissance Twin Commander aircraft was ready for paint after extensive work by Eagle Creek,” noted Byerly Vice President and General Manager Geoff Shilton.

“Lori Justus, our Completions Coordinator, worked closely with Randy Morelock from Eagle Creek on meeting the schedule and the unique requirements of the task. With coordination from Scheme Designers, Inc., Lori managed to translate the color scheme into our design program to aid in the layout. Jerry Pyatt, the paint supervisor, along with his team of Chris Rose, Chris Porter and JR Ginz, has painted several Renaissance aircraft in the past, and the finished article was definitely up to his high standards.”

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