COLOMBIAN ARMY GOES FOR GRAND RENAISSANCE�TWICE
Pictured from left to right are Luis Eduardo Albarracin (ASERPA), Dan Smock (Eagle Creek), Colonel Lieutenant Francisco Borb�n Arias (Colombian Army), Andy Thimlar (Eagle Creek), Colonel Lieutenant Omar Rene Garzon (Colombian Army), and Oscar Billy Lopez (ASERPA).
Two Twin Commanders operated by the Colombian Army are undergoing Grand Renaissance refurbishments at Eagle Creek Aviation Services, Inc. in Indianapolis. The two refurbished Twin Commanders will serve a dual role in the Colombian Army as military executive transport and also for medical evacuations.
The Grand Renaissance program results in a certified aircraft of superlative quality, safety, and long-term value, based on a comprehensive overhaul of all systems and virtually all components, along with worldwide service and parts support. The process involves disassembly of the aircraft to its aluminum shell, and rebuilding with new or overhauled components.
It will take an estimated 11 months and more than 14,000 man-hours to complete the Grand Renaissance makeover on the Colombian JetProp 980 (model 695) and 1000 (695A). Eagle Creek said it plans on delivering one aircraft in August 2011 and the other in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Eagle Creek also will complete service bulletin work, an interior refurbishment, and manage the exterior repainting of the two aircraft. An extensive avionics panel upgrade will be performed on both airplanes including dual Garmin G600 Flight Displays; WAAS-enabled Garmin GNS-530W and GNS-430W Comm, Nav and GPS Units; Garmin GMA-347 Audio Panel; Garmin GTX-330 Transponder; Garmin GWX68 Radar; and Meggitt Avionics Engine Instruments Display Systems.
�We are honored to have been selected by the Colombian Army for this important refurbishment,� said Matt Hagans, Eagle Creek�s CEO. �We are firmly committed to the enhancement of the Twin Commander fleet worldwide. When these aircraft are delivered, it will be difficult to tell that they are not brand new given the level of detail and refurbishment being performed.�
�We are pleased with the strong interest being shown in the Grand Renaissance, especially from military and government operators, and congratulate Eagle Creek on securing this recent contract,� commented Twin Commander Aircraft President Matt Isley. �Making the right decisions about aircraft acquisitions and upgrades is never easy, but in difficult economic times those decisions become even tougher, requiring even more precise analysis. The fact that operators are choosing the Grand Renaissance is solid evidence that there is simply no new aircraft out there capable of delivering the all-around performance, fuel efficiency, and value of a Twin Commander, especially one that has benefited from the world�s only factory-authorized and monitored twin-turboprop airframe refurbishment program.�
Representatives of the Colombian Army came to Eagle Creek�s facility in Indianapolis to deliver the aircraft for the refurbishments. The refurbishment project was conducted in cooperation with Asesorias Y Representacion Para Ingenieria S.A. (ASERPA) of Bogota, Colombia. ASERPA is a Colombian aviation advisory company and a provider of aviation parts, maintenance, repair, training, logistics, and other services for non-regular operators using helicopters and small aircraft, and for the army in Colombia. Eagle Creek said that ASERPA has been a valued partner and an important resource for engaging with the Colombian Army.
The beginning of the refurbishment process for the Colombian Army follows Eagle Creek�s delivery of a Grand Renaissance Twin Commander to the Mexican Navy last year, and in 2009 completion of another Grand Renaissance Twin Commander specially outfitted for fire-fighting command and control missions for the County of Kern, California.
Want to know more about what goes into creating the finest expression of the Twin Commander brand? Then take a look at Twin Commander Aircraft�s new Grand Renaissance website.
This new highly visual and interactive site debuted January 1. It clearly shows the extent of the work scope that goes into the making of a Grand Renaissance, and when it's all said and done, the tremendous value the finished airplane offers.
You can obtain a Grand Renaissance one of two ways: Arrange with an authorized Twin Commander Grand Renaissance Completion Center to upgrade your Twin Commander, or buy a new Grand Renaissance from a service center. Either way, you�ll be flying the finest.
If you use www.FltPlan.com for your flight planning, look for a banner ad for the Grand Renaissance. In the meantime check out the new Grand Renaissance website, and see how you can live your dream.
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