West Star Aviation (Booth 2656, 2219) comes to NBAA-BACE with several new approvals from Cessna and EASA. Cessna has approved West Star’s Chattanooga location as an authorized independent nondestructive inspection (NDI) facility. Additionally, EASA has granted the company approval to install Honeywell control display units (CDU) at its Grand Junction facility in Colorado.
The Cessna approval complements the company’s existing capabilities and services including authorization as a Citation service center. The recent authorization will permit West Star to conduct nondestructive testing (NDT) and inspections on Cessna models. The approval also will grant the company access to related documentation, standards, and kits needed to conduct the NDT and inspection.
The ability to act as an NDI facility is something West Star believes will promote cost effectiveness and time efficiency for its customers. “Being an independent NDI facility allows us to perform NDT services in-house at Chattanooga, which will help us potentially decrease downtime and cost for customers," said Thomas Hilboldt, general manager of West Star Aviation.
According to West Star, the EASA approval will allow the company to install Honeywell's CD-830 CDU. The Honeywell CDU is a direct replacement for CD-810- and CD-820-equipped aircraft. The display offers high-resolution, touchscreen functionality, and enhanced visibility for flight management and flight guidance systems.
With approval from EASA, West Star will be able to install the Honeywell CD-830 CDUs on aircraft equipped with Honeywell flight management system (FMS) model CD-810, CD-815, or CD-820 CDUs. Installation of the units is approved on models including Hawker, Challenger, Global Express, Gulfstream, Embraer, and Falcon aircraft.
"The installation of the CD-830 allows for us to provide our customers with the option to upgrade an existing FMS system, potentially reducing cost and downtime that would usually come with repairing or upgrading the entire FMS unit,” said Dave Krogman, general manager of West Star’s facility in Grand Junction. “We are pleased to have received this approval from EASA as it aligns perfectly with our rapid growth and continued efforts to expand our capabilities and facilities to accommodate customers, both with U.S.- and Europe-registered aircraft.”
