California-based aviation services provider Sun Air Jets has completed a major inspection project on a customer’s Gulfstream G550 at its Part 145 repair station. With the industry facing reduced demand for private jet charter, the client viewed this as an opportunity to conduct the project, which included 12/24/36/48/72 and 144-month inspections.

That five-week project, conducted at the company's Camarillo Airport headquarters, entailed the disassembly of the long-range twinjet’s landing gear, fuselage, interior, and tail section; a detailed inspection with operational checks; and then the reassembly of the aircraft for return to service.

“Aircraft owners are looking at their schedules for the rest of the year and are choosing to utilize the current slowdown to conduct large-scale maintenance events, helping free up the airplane for the rest of the year,” said Rob Cox, the company’s executive v-p of maintenance. “We schedule all other minor maintenance events around the owner's normal schedule, minimizing the required downtime for scheduled maintenance.”

In addition to its MRO services, Sun Air operates an FBO and its own diverse charter fleet, including Gulfstream, Bombardier, Cessna, Hawker, and Dassault jets.