AAR Receives FAA Approval of New Composite Interior for Sikorsky S-92® Helicopters
October 30, 2012
Technology products supplier successfully delivers first S-92 aircraft interior
ORLANDO, Florida – AAR (NYSE: AIR) has received FAA certification of its new and improved Off Shore Airliner (OSA) interior design for Sikorsky’s S-92® fleet of offshore utility aircraft. In addition to the composite interiors for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter program, AAR also provides precision machining services for several hundred aircraft. AAR made the announcement from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention in Orlando.
AAR’s Technology Products team designed, tooled, manufactured and qualified the interior at the Company’s Composites facility in Clearwater and the new design received ODA (Organization Designation Authorization) Type Certificate approval of the commercial offshore/airliner interior.
AAR successfully delivered its first aircraft interior earlier this year. The interior design has a cleaner appearance with updated passenger provisions, improved maintenance access, lower interior cabin noise and low weight LED lighting upgrades. Mechanical installation details have been enhanced to significantly reduce installation time and eliminate the need for rigging for fit and finish.
AAR signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in 2010 to work together to identify opportunities to expand their business relationship. The S-92 composites agreement represents a significant achievement in AAR’s manufacturing strategy to become a Tier 1 supplier of interior and exterior composite assemblies for major aerospace programs. The S-92 helicopter is preferred by many customers for critical missions, capable of handling the most demanding environments and conditions.
“As we build on our reputation as an industry leader in the supply of aerostructures for fixed-wing aircraft, to become a new supplier for an OEM of rotorcraft demonstrates the breadth of our engineering and manufacturing capabilities,” said Tim Dumbauld, Vice President and General Manager for AAR’s precision machining and composites fabrication businesses. “We’re pleased to partner with Sikorsky and support all of its deliveries of S-92 aircraft.”
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) in Hartford, Conn., and a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. With delivery of the offshore utility interior, AAR Composites now supplies interiors for all commercial S-92 variants, including the SAR and VIP aircraft. AAR also supplies a composite interior for the Canadian Military version of the aircraft, as well as aerostructures and interiors to Bombardier, Spirit, Cessna, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman and Boeing Military.
AAR was recently named the Best Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Provider in the Americas, Aircraft Parts Supplier of the Year and was ranked among the Top Five MROs in surveys of airline executives and industry professionals.
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About AAR
AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include airlift operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.
Media contact: Daniela Pietsch, Vice President Corporate Marketing & Communications, at editor@aarcorp.com or +1 630-227-5100.
This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled “Risk Factors”, included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company’s control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.