Flying Colours (Booth W105) recently received EASA approval to install an ADS-B Out system on the Bombardier Challenger 300. At EBACE, executives from the company will explain concerns and recommendations for ADS-B Out installations.

The company already has the same approval from Transport Canada, as well as STCs from the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada to install ADS-B Out equipment in the Challenger 604 and 605. Flying Colours has performed approximately 30 ADS-B Out installations, including 20 on Challenger 604s in North America.

To prepare for the increase in installation demand, Flying Colours invested in additional equipment, inventory, and team members to increase its ADS-B Out installations by approximately 30 percent.  With the company’s St. Louis facility operating 24 hours a day, Flying Colours can complete seven to 10 installations a month between its two North American facilities.

In addition to its North American clients, Flying Colours has received requests from European owners looking for flight deck and cabin upgrades. “We want to try and futureproof the aircraft by giving owners the best advice in terms of avionics upgrades,” said Kevin Kliethermes, director of sales for Flying Colours. “For some European customers it is more attractive, and often more cost efficient, to bring their aircraft to our facilities to have maintenance, installation, and interior upgrades all conducted under a single roof. This latest approval will help us support existing clients in their move toward NextGen capabilities, and hopefully attract new ones as the installation slots become rapidly booked up.”

Additionally, Flying Colours’ avionics business has been increasing. Last year, the team worked on more than 30 avionics projects, which included work on the Pro Line 21 Advanced package, Ku-band, Ka-band satcom installations, and Gogo’s Avance L3 and L5 systems. The company also outfitted the first Canada-registered aircraft with the Rockwell Collins Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A upgrade, which was installed along with the ADS-B solution.

Kliethermes said, “Our avionics business is growing, and as we add more approvals to the business, this will support continued development in this area.”