IntellIgence Second ARINC Hangar to Open in July 2011


ARINC Engineering Services has added a second hangar under construction at its aircraft modification facility in Oklahoma City, Okal. will significantly increase the company’s capacity to address a rapidly growing aircraft integration and maintenance business. The new hangar, opening in July, will add 62,000 square feet of workspace under roof at the ARINC Aircraft Modification and Operations Center located at Will Rogers World Airport. ARINC is currently working on two Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers, one U.S. Government OC-135 Open Skies surveillance aircraft, and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft at the OKC Center. “Our first hangar can house three of these large aircraft under roof and the second hangar will be capable of handling up to four more,” says Mike


Young, ARINC vice president, Aerospace Engineering Systems & Support. “This expansion will give us a greatly improved workflow and increased capacity, for greater efficiency.” The company recently received another sizable contract, for communications upgrades on four U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. The first of the four Navy E-6B aircraft is scheduled to arrive at the facility in July, shortly after the new hangar is operational. ARINC’s first hangar, with 50,000 square feet of workspace and 30,000 feet of shops and offices, has been the area’s largest commercial hangar since it opened in 2006. The company says it has been experiencing steady growth in its work on large military aircraft and has been advertising for skilled aircraft workers, mechanics and engineers since March.


West Star Installs First Pro Line 21 Upgrade on Falcon 2000


West Star Aviation recently installed the first Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 Upgrade on the Falcon 2000. The upgrade is now available for Pro Line 4-equipped Falcon 2000 and 2000EX aircraft. The project, completed at the West Star Aviation East Alton, IL location, replaces the existing Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays with new Liquid Crystal displays (LCD). The new 8X10 inch displays are capable of displaying charts, maps, cameras and graphical weather. Operators may also upgrade the GPS sensors with WAAS for LP/LPV capability. “These upgrades will enhance both the functionality and the value of the aircraft,” says Marty Rhine, avionics sales manager, West Star Aviation.


Air Methods to Acquire OF Air Holdings Corporation (Omniflight)


The largest air medical transportation company in the world, Air Methods Corporation, announced on June 2, 2011 that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire OF Air Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Omniflight Helicopters, Inc. Omniflight provides air medical transport services throughout the United States and provides these services under both the community-based and hospital-based service delivery models, utilizing a fleet of about


100 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Omniflight is headquartered in Addison, Texas, with operations in 18 states involving more than 75 base locations. Air Methods will acquire Omniflight for $200 million in cash. Upon closing, Omniflight will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Methods. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The transaction is expected to close in July 2011. “The operational efficiencies that


6 Aviation Maintenance | avmain-mag.com | June / July 2011


this combination should create will allow both entities to maintain and enhance the quality of our services, while providing for a more competitive cost structure resulting from greater economies of scale,” Aaron Todd, CEO for Air Methods, says. “The geographical service areas of both entities are very complementary and improve the combined entity’s ability to maintain important resources closer to our customers and their communities.”


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