Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

California-based ACI Jet has seen a robust business in the past few years as an FBO, including the construction of an $85 million FBO terminal and hangars at John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in Orange County, and a $20 million, 28,000-sq-ft terminal and an adjacent 25,000-sq-ft maintenance hangar at its headquarters at San Luis Obispo Regional Airport (KSBP). The company's MRO business employs 60.

 


But the FBO isn’t the only growing segment of its business—so is&nbsp;maintenance. “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,” ACI Jet senior v-p of aircraft maintenance Dave Jensen told AIN. “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.”

 


The company recently marked its third year as a Bombardier authorized service facility (ASF)&nbsp;at KSLO, where its maintenance footprint encompasses 60,000 sq ft of hangars: one of which is 35,000 sq ft and the other 25,000 sq ft. Its Bombardier authorization extends to the Challenger 300/600-series and Global jets up to the 6500. On those aircraft, it can perform select heavy maintenance, inspections, warranty, and AOG support. The company also plans to seek authorization for heavy maintenance on the 7500 once the fleet reaches a size that makes sense for ACI Jet to invest in the capabilities to work on Bombardier’s flagship—and largest—aircraft.

 


Additionally, ACI Jet serves as a parts depot for Bombardier, giving it off-the-shelf access to needed parts. But its MRO activity isn’t exclusive to Bombardier. It also serves as a Part 145 repair station for Cessna Citation jets, including the 500, 525, 560XL, 680, and 750 series. “For our scheduled, heavier maintenance we do limit ourselves to Citation and Bombardier aircraft,” Jensens added. “The reasoning behind that, 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 was built up.”

 


Jensen noted, however, that ACI’s AOG teams can support “pretty much any business aircraft out there.” Its AOG teams consist of four trucks deployed throughout northern and southern California, with a fifth truck expected to come online soon. With the additional AOG truck, three are based at KSNA with eight technicians and the other two will be based out of KSLO with four technicians.

 


Jensen said one of ACI’s biggest challenges is one familiar to nearly all MROs: finding enough technicians. Even though ACI was “incredibly lucky” in hiring 11 technicians in the first few months of the year, Jensen knows that recruitment is only going to get tougher. It’s why ACI signed on as an industry partner to help nearby Cuesta College develop an airframe and powerplant technician program, the first class of which will launch in January. “The demand is outpacing the ability to bring talent on board,” he said. “As we’re all fighting for talent, that’s going to help our personal situation here in San Luis Obispo.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

ACI Jet Notes Upswing in MRO Activity

Becoming a Bombardier authorized service facility three years ago has boosted ACI Jet's business.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Austria, the Netherlands, and Sweden are the latest export customers for the multi-role aircraft

Fokker To Modify C-390s for NATO Special Missions

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Fokker To Modify C-390s for NATO Special Missions

Austria, the Netherlands, and Sweden are the latest export customers for the multi-role aircraft

Saft Developing Li-ion Batteries for Biz Aircraft, Helos

Batteries offer significant weight savings and better performance

All In Aviation Makes Safe Bet with Mx Provider Purchase

The move gives the company repair locations at two airports

DOT IG To Examine Consistency in FAA STC Process

Consistency and proper assessment of the need for STCs are targets

FEAM Aero Will Support SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft Operators

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul group has 52 line stations in the U.S. and Europe

Jets MRO Moves into New Digs at Dallas Executive Airport

40,000-sq-ft hangar allows company to expand aircraft maintenance services

Aviation Heaven Rolls Out Global MRO Map

The online tool helps operators find suitable service for aircraft

ExecuJet Haite Pulls Off Embraer Legacy Triple Play

Projects were handled over a four-month span

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN