PRESS RELEASE

August 12, 2004

West Star Awarded Amendment to Add Autopilot and Wing Configurations to its Learjet 30-Series RVSM STC

GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO -- West Star Aviation, Inc. announced that on August 12, 2004 the FAA awarded the company an amendment to its Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) — awarded in August 2003 — to include Learjet models 35A and 36A with the FC-530 autopilot, models 35 and 36 with the FC-200 autopilot and Mark IV wings, models 35A and 36A with the FC-200 autopilot and non-Softflite Century III wings, and 31 models with the FC-531 autopilot. The amendment also includes approvals for aircraft with Avcon hard point and pylon installations. The existing STC applies to Learjet 35, 35A, 36, and 36A model aircraft equipped with the FC-200 autopilot and Century III Softflite wings. Aircraft modified with Avcon Fins, Avcon Extended Range Tip Tanks, and Raisbeck Lockers are also included in the STC and its amendment.
The avionics package for all aircraft in the amended STCs will be essentially the same as the equipment used in the original STC: one Honeywell AZ-252 Advanced Air Data Computer, one Honeywell AM-250 Copilot’s Barometric Altimeter with Integrated Air Data Computer, one Honeywell BA-250 Pilot’s Barometric Altitude Indicator, one Honeywell AL-800 Altitude Alerter, and an Aerosonic standby altimeter. On aircraft equipped with the FC-530 and FC-531 autopilots, the existing altitude pre-select and Rosemount pitot-static probes will be incorporated into the RVSM solution whereas a new digital altitude alerter and two Rosemount pitot-static probes will be installed on aircraft equipped with the FC-200 autopilot.

According to Greg Laabs, West Star’s Vice President of Operations, the company’s decision to invest in the expanded RVSM program was in response to numerous customer requests. The West Star STC amendment is currently the only RVSM solution for Learjet 30-series aircraft that includes Mark IV and Century III non-Softflite wing configurations. “We have completed approximately 52 RVSM modifications on Learjet 35/35A/36/36A aircraft with the FC-200 autopilot and Century III Softflite wings and have a backlog through October for installations on Learjet models included in the both the original and amended STC’s,” said Laabs. “West Star is committed to supporting our Learjet 30-series customers. We have added a number of experienced avionics technicians to our staff in order to meet the demand as the RVSM deadline approaches,” he concluded.West Star Aviation is a full-service repair, maintenance, and modification facility specializing in Learjets, Hawkers, Falcons, and Cessna Conquests and Citations. Located adjacent to the 10,500 foot runway at Walker Field in Grand Junction, Colorado, West Star also provides avionics installation and repair and paint and interior refurbishment for aircraft up to Challenger and Falcon 2000 in size. The company employs over 320 skilled technicians and support staff and is recognized industry-wide for its technical expertise and commitment to superior customer service.

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