West Star Completes 100th Learjet 30-series RVSM Installation
West Star Completes 100th Learjet 30-series RVSM Installation
West Star Aviation, Inc. has completed the 100th installation of its Learjet 30-series RVSM solution. Of those, 87 were completed at West Star’s Grand Junction, Colorado facility. The remaining were completed at authorized installation facilities in various locations across the country. According to the FAA RVSM Approval database, West Star has completed close to 50% of the approved Learjet 35/36 RVSM modifications to date.
The company reports that installation slots for the West Star RVSM modification are booked from now until the end of the year. Installations are currently being scheduled for January and February of 2005. Learjet 30-series operators are encouraged to schedule their RVSM upgrades now to avoid equipment back orders. West Star added 22 experienced avionics technicians to its Avionics Installation Department in order to accommodate the high customer demand. If the RVSM modification is scheduled sufficiently in advance, West Star’s turn time is 2-2 * weeks.
“ We originally developed the Learjet 30-series RVSM STC to take care of our existing customer base,” said Greg Laabs, West Star’s Vice President of Operations. “The response has far exceeded our initial expectations and we’ve acquired a number of new customers as a result. We attribute this to the high quality, state-of-the-art Honeywell components used in our RVSM solution as well as West Star’s expertise and commitment to customer support.”
West Star’s RVSM STC includes Learjet 30-series aircraft with the FC-200 and FC-530/531 autopilots and various wing configurations. Aircraft modified with Avcon Fins, Avcon Extended Range Tip Tanks, and Raisbeck Lockers are also included in the STC. Plans to amend the STC to include Raisbeck ZR and ZR Lite wing modifications are in process and FAA approval is expected in January 2005.
