Aernnova Aircraft Services (AAS)

Since the setting up of Gamesa Aeronáutica and the launch of the ERJ145 Program, Aernnova has been responsible for developing and executing Aftermarket (or Product Support or Customer Services) activity. In fact, to assure to the OEMs a proven Product Support capability is a must to be eligible for new opportunities, Work Packages and Programs.

Today the management of Aernnova’s Aftermarket responsibility reverts to Aernnova Aircraft Services – AAS – (formerly Ikarus Aircraft Services). We support OEMs (aftermarket and FAL), airlines and MROs.

Product Support is an Aernnova’s commitment. Obviously, AAS cannot manage all Atermarket commitments without the support of other companies and departments from Aernnova.

In the OEMs Programs where Aernnova is involved in, the commitment in Aftermarek goes from the Offer phase until there are between 1 and 5 Airships in operation that have installed products designed and/or manufactured by us. This means that AAS is involved throughout the life of a Program. Regardless of the scope of the Program (Design & Build – D&B – or Build to Print – BtP -), there are activities that AAS develops and delivers:

In the Development Phase AAS is responsible for (i) ensuring that the Product Design meets the Aftermarket requirements of the OEM’s technical specification, and (ii) other specific Aftermarket requirements (development of GSES, Maintenance Programme, Technical Publications, Training, etc.).

In the Airship Operation Phase, typical Aftermarket activities are carried out, among others: Sale of Spare Parts and GSEs, Component Repair, Technical Support, Warranty & Guarantees management, and on-site Customer’s support. A distinction must be made between the stage in which the Program is in Series, and the non-Series stage, but where there are still in operation Airships that need to be supported. A challenge in this Phase is the management of Spare Parts for Out-of-Production parts.

A modo de resumen, hoy en día AAS participa en/trabaja con los siguientes Programas / Clientes:

By way of summary, today AAS is involved in/with the following Programs / Customers:

AAS provides Aftermarket Services from its facilities in Miñano and its base in Madrid. The focus of the Madrid base is to provide qualified personnel to perform complex structural works on Airship. The main Customers are ADS-Getafe (MRTT Program) and MRO centres from airlines (Air Nostrum, Iberia Mantenimiento) and OEMs (Cessna Citation Jet).

Opportunity and challenge in the Aftermarket

AAS is looking for business development opportunities in areas and products not necessarily linked to Programs or Airships wherein Aernnova is involved in. Summary of actions:

1.- The Aernnova website has been updated to give more visibility to Aftermarket Services, improving contact with AAS and providing access to the Aernnova Capability List.

2.- Attendance to several MRO Shows (with a stand in the MRO Europe) to present Aernnova’s capabilities in Aftermarket Services.

3.- Repair of Components with Flight Cycles / Flight Hours: based on the Ratings of the EASA Part 145 Approval we have offered the experience and capacity from Aernnova to repair products not designed either manufactured by Aernnova.

4.- Spare Parts: we have offered and were awarded to manufacture Spare Parts, outside of existing Work Packages & Programs from Aernnova, for Airbus, MHIRJ, PCMHEL, ASL Airlines, Air Europa.

5.- In collaboration with Aernnova Engineering Division – AED – we have offered low cadence Work Packages under D&B scope for Jet Aviation, Air Europa.

6.- We have managed Manpower Service offers to support on site structural works for Vueling, Air Nostrum, Cessna Citation Center at Valencia, Iberia Mantenimiento, ADS-Tablada, ADS-Sevilla, Qatar Airways, Lilium.

In parallel, there are challenges to consider. Among them, I would highlight the following ones:

1.- Product Support for Out-of-Production Programs of Aernnova.

2.- To reinforce Aernnova’s brand as an Aftermarket Services company.

3.- To get a balance between autonomy-internal_support in repairs of Components with Flight Cycles / Flight Hours.

4.- To increase our capability to repair Components with Flight Hours, in accordance with Part 145 approvals and their Ratings.

5.- Availability of personnel to support on site Services at FAL and MRO centres.

6.- To develop a composite suppliers’ network focused on Aftermarket and low-rate projects.

7.- To increase speed of response and flexibility to our Customers.

8.- To get a balance between Serial and Aftermarket requirement/need.

9.- The use of Aernnova’s in-house manufacturing capabilities.

10.- To seek alternatives to possible contractual constraints with OEMs in Aftermarket.

11.- To manage proximity to Customers outside Western Europe.