Sales and installation of the advanced antennas and aircraft base radio will be available through Flying Colours Corp.’ Peterborough, ON. and St. Louis, MO. locations. The continued strengthening of the business aviation sector is driving greater use of connected services for avionics, aircraft health monitoring, and cabin WiFi. This is increasing the demand for inflight connectivity that is dependable, immediate, and secure, and necessitating a wider variety of options for owners and operators.
“Every time we talk to a customer about refurbishment, or completions, we have the connectivity conversation. We already have extensive experience upgrading and installing connectivity equipment, and regularly advise on the most suitable options for a customer’s mission profile. Adding the SmartSky equipment to our roster brings yet another dimension to our offering as it expands the choice for those seeking an unparalleled connectivity experience that supports both the cabin, and the aircraft, in North America,” says Kevin Kliethermes, director of sales, Flying Colours Corp.
The SmartSky Networks’ flagship equipment consists of two sleek antennas and a small aircraft base radio (ABR). The antenna and radio design has been optimized for business aviation use by providing high throughput to and from the aircraft – a key requirement for today’s cloud-native applications and services. Flying Colours Corp. will be providing the entire shipset through SmartSky’s latest Early Arrival promotion, and already has equipment available for immediate installation on many STC’d aircraft types.
“We are pleased to add Flying Colours Corp. to our community of partners and share in their commitment to delivering the highest quality and performance for business aviation’s connectivity needs. Their track record of delivering exceptional aftermarket services, developing STC’s, and installing innovative systems has established Flying Colours Corp. as a sought-after provider for business aviation,” says Dave Helfgott, SmartSky Networks, CEO.
Photo Caption: Flying Colours Corp. set to install SmartSky equipment in the USA and Canada.
The approval, given on 28 October, means that a full range of regular and line maintenance work can be undertaken at Flying Colours Corp’s Peterborough-headquarters on business jets listed on the 2-REG registry. Bolstering the approval Flying Colours Corp. is also approved to undertake continuing airworthiness and maintenance work on a comprehensive set of airframes, including all those listed under its Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) approval. These include Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault models, amongst others. This validation also grants Flying Colours Corp. the privilege to sign Certificates of Release to Service for 2- REG aircraft, so supporting a faster re-entry into service after maintenance work is completed.
“More and more operators are using the 2-REG Aircraft Registry for its efficient services, streamlined approach, and ease of obtaining personalized registration marks for their aircraft, so we are delighted to have attained this approval,” commented Eric Gillespie, executive vice president, Flying Colours Corp. “We can now support even more aircraft in their maintenance needs including the 2-REG aircraft falling under our TCCA approvals. For customers listed on this registry and operating in Europe or North America they now have another choice in terms of maintenance services. For reduced downtime interiors, avionics upgrades or exterior paintwork services can be conducted in parallel with the maintenance. That is very attractive to many owners, particularly in the current dynamic business aviation landscape. ”
This latest approval adds to the existing broad range of maintenance approvals that Flying Colours Corp. has achieved. Current approvals include CAAC, Cayman Islands, GACA, FAA, EASA, the Isle of Man, the State of Qatar and Transport Canada. Combined, these certifications enable the business to offer ongoing services to the growing number of private aircraft entered into these registries.
Photo caption: Flying Colours Corp. approved to conduct maintenance on 2-Reg aircraft.
During the event job seekers will be shown around the facility to learn more about one of Peterborough’s most dynamic international companies. The business is hoping to fill a significant number of roles and is anticipating that some applicants will have had experience as a paint professional in parallel industries including the automotive, boat/yachting or freight sector, while a number of the roles will be supported by on-the-job training.
Ian Ross, Flying Colours HR director said, “This type of recruitment event showcases the diversity of our business. We work on aircraft of all types from small propellor aircraft through to large private jets. Every paint job is different and requires a new approach which keeps our team engaged. With the recent growth of activity in the business aviation sector we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of aircraft passing through our paint hangar which is why we are seeking new talent to join our existing team. We’re interested in meeting everyone from recent grads who want the opportunity to develop a new career, to seasoned professionals, skilled painters, paint technicians and supervisors.”
Existing employees will be on hand to explain their roles, andmanagement will respond to specific company questions while the HR team will be accepting resumes and organizing interviews. Flying Colours specializes in the custom completion and maintenance of mid to large size business jets and is the largest tenant at the airport. The fourth and largest paint shop was opened at the facility in 2020 and accommodates any size business aircraft including Bombardier Global 7500, Gulfstream G700 types, as well as narrow body executive airliners such as the A220 or B737-900 models.
The purpose-built paint shop is designed with functionality and sustainability in mind. Fully computerised and climate controlled, the new booth is equipped with energy efficient lights that optimize paint colour matches and visibility for technicians. The sanding, paint, purge, and cure application sequence reduces environmental impact through intelligently designed air recirculation and exhaust systems which decrease the amount of heat needed to operate, while reducing the amount of paint emissions released into the air.
Those attending the recruitment fair will also be able view a business aircraft and learn about how working at Flying Colours provides the opportunity to earn a good wage, excellent benefits and enjoy career progression, while performing interesting and varied work.
The event will be held Friday 19 November from 4 pm to 7pm. To preschedule an interview, resumes can be sent in advance to HR@flyingcolourscorp.com with Paint Technician Event in the subject line.
Get in touch
Peterborough, Ontario
901-120 Airport Rd
Peterborough, Ontario
Canada, K9J 0E7
Phone +1 (705) 742-4688
AOG +1 (855) 742-4688
Fax +1 (705) 742-8861
St. Louis, Missouri
525 Turbine Ave
Chesterfield, Missouri
USA, 63005
Phone +1 (636) 530-7000
AOG +1 (314) 602-5366
Fax +1 (636) 530-7001
With the support of the Government of Canada though the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Avec le soutien du gouvernement du Canada par l’entremise de l'Agence fédérale de développement économique pour le Sud de l'Ontario.
