AOG/MRT

How To Protect Your Aircraft Investment AND Make It Look Extraordinary

Protect Your Aircraft
Protect Your Aircraft

Exterior Paint

Let’s talk about the different levels of paint protection and products used in the industry today. Throughout the life of an aircraft exterior paint job, there are different products that can be used depending on the condition and oxidation levels of the paint. 

A good baseline product is Wax, Nupower II wax, used at West Star Aviation, which typically lasts 4-6 months and is a budget friendly option.  It restores and protects all types of paint. 

Next step up from Wax is ceramic coating.  An excellent Aviation Ceramic coating product is Element 119 Diamond S. This coating offers protection for 3-5 years and is a good option for newer paint jobs or customers that are looking to extend the life on the aircraft’s paint job. 

Depending on the initial condition of the paint, here at West Star, we prefer to quote ceramic coatings after seeing the paint’s condition to factor in paint correction and polishing. 


Keeping Your Interior Fresh

Typically, with aircraft maintenance events, the carpet is removed to access the floorboards and other components below the floor. This is a perfect time to have your carpet removed and cleaned.  It’s best practice to fully remove the carpets from the aircraft before deep cleaning.  West Star Aviation uses a carpet extractor machine as it minimizes the amount of water used to avoid any potential carpet shrinkage.  TFS Carpet Cleaner is recommended for excellent results.  This process freshens the look of your interior, something everyone can appreciate! 

Deep leather cleaning for the seats/dados/sidewall is also another great option to help freshen the look of a dated interior.   Often leather surfaces can be freshened up just by removing surface dirt and stains. West Star’s interior specialists recommend using Perrone Leather Cleaner and Conditioner and a mild abrasive applicator.  Be sure NOT to use harsh chemicals or cleaners not intended for purpose.  

Britework Before
Before
After

Britework

Briteworking wing/stab leading edges should be a part of every operator’s preventative maintenance routine. Time and time again, we perform inspections of wing leading edges and horizontal stab leading edges and find surface and intergranular corrosion. Most OEMs do not allow ANY corrosion on a flight surface, this leads to Engineering Orders and costly repairs, possibly replacement. Briteworking/ polishing of these bare metal surfaces on a regular basis will help keep corrosion at bay and reduce costs down the road.

West Star recommends having britework done 3-4 times per year depending on aircraft utilization, but no more than once per month. Over polishing can damage the metal.

Cleaning and preparation depends on the current condition of the metal. Sometimes a two-step process is required with different levels of polish. West Star recommends Nuvite – NuShine IIC first to remove oxidation and then repolish with Nuvite – NuShine IIS as a final polish for a mirror-like finish.

Most OEMs recommend applying Xzilon 3 (05-706) after britework is polished as this will protect the metal and is an excellent corrosion inhibitor. For Bombardier models, if the AMM procedure for polishing wing leading edges is followed, there will be no impact on the material thickness over the life of the aircraft.

Other tips to remember when polishing britework:

  • NuShine cleaning agents generally go a long way – so use small amounts
  • DO NOT over polish in one area for too long – this can burn the polish into the metal and is extremely difficult to remove
  • NEVER polish in direct sunlight, only in the hangar or shade
  • DO NOT use solvents to remove remaining polishing compound – this can stain the surface – instead use flour to absorb any remaining compound and wipe down with a clean, dry Rymplecloth or flannel cloth

For more information on these or any other services that can help protect your aircraft investment while in for maintenance, please contact any of the specialists listed below:

Dave Grasle 
618.971.6410
dgrasle@wsa.aero

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Mark White

RSM, California

Dave Godo

RSM, Ohio Valley

Mark Daniels
Tim Cane
Robbie Johnson

RSM, Mid Atlantic

Santiago Carol

RSM, Latin America

Steve Fleeman

RSM, Landing Gear

Contact Us

WSAA will be piloted at the East Alton, IL facility with the first round of apprentices anticipated to start in January 2024. For more information on West Star Aviation employment or WSAA apprentice selection criteria, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/careers or contact Katie Johnson (katiejohnson@wsa.aero) or Dave Lagermann (dlagermann@wsa.aero).

Application & Selection Process

Before applying, please be aware of the standards of conduct for employment with West Star along with the strict requirements below while attending WSAA.

  • Working in Aviation requires a commit to being drug-free.  Pre-employment drug testing along with random and reasonable suspicion testing is required for all companies employing people working in safety sensitive positions. The position you are considering applying for is safety sensitive.  If hired, you must pass a DOT drug test to start working, if you fail the job offer is rescinded.  If you pass, you must remain drug-free during employment, failing a random or reasonable suspicion test may result in termination of employment.  Please note: marijuana is legal in certain states however the FAA follows Federal law where marijuana is illegal.  This means testing positive for marijuana, or any other illegal drug, will prevent you from working in Aviation. 
  • The first 7.5 months will follow a strict schedule: Monday – Friday 7:00am – 3:30pm (breaks and meal periods provided). 
  • The expectation is to arrive inside the learning center and clocked in at 7:00am.
  • While attending WSAA, no more than 4 hours a week can be missed.  Extenuating medical circumstances will be given full consideration with supporting documentation.
  • WSAA follows an FAA approved curriculum which has certain requirements including attendance. 
  • Testing for the FAA license at the conclusion of WSAA is required, along with passing.  Two opportunities to test will be provided, if needed.  Employment may terminate if the FAA license is not obtained.
  • Candidates will be contacted to complete pre-screening assessments and questionnaires. 
  • Qualified candidates will be contacted in late November and scheduled for a tour and interview with Hiring Managers at West Star Aviation in East Alton, IL.
  • To be qualified, candidates must pass the pre-screening process along with submitting a negative DOT drug test result.
  • Finalists will be selected after onsite interviews. Job offers will be extended in mid-December with a start date of January 9, 2024.
  • Pay while learning in the Academy will be $20 per hour.  Upon successfully graduating and obtaining your FAA license, pay will increase to $27 per hour.