A new accessory shop is planned for West Star Aviation’s East Alton, Ill. (ALN) location. It is set to open in the fourth quarter. Once operational, the new shop will focus on providing extensive services for aircraft wheels and add battery capabilities before year-end. ALN plans to expand its offerings to include brake services.

The ALN facility joins a new accessory shop added to the MRO’s Columbia, S.C. location (CAE) last April. It offers starter-generator repair/overhaul and testing, Learjet component repair, inspection and overhaul, King Air landing-gear inspection and overhaul, full non-destructive testing capabilities for magnetic particle inspection, and welding for aluminum, stainless steel and all nickel alloys. In addition, it will offer capacity testing for batteries (nickel cadmium, lead acid and sealed lead acid) as well as repair and testing for emergency power supplies.

“The accessory shop at CAE has already been successful in serving our clients in the area,” said Rodger Renaud, COO of West Star Aviation. “Adding the capabilities at ALN will allow us to further meet our customers’ needs no matter where they are located.”