GA Telesis, LLC is one of the world’s biggest business aviation firms with more than $1.0 billion in resources under administration. Pastor Lopez, President of MRO Services at GA Telesis provides a broad and detailed framework of the MRO Services Division at GA Telesis and the new radome testing facility recently launched. The challenges faced during and post pandemic period, their arrangements for future development in an Exclusive interview with MRO Business Today, Pastor Lopez explains more…..Read on!
Q – GA Telesis, MRO Services Composite Group, recently completed the development of its capabilities to support CFM LEAP engine nacelle components. This will provide GAT customers with expanded capability. Can you elaborate on the above? What steps did you take to achieve this? What were the challenges faced along the way?
Ans – The operator engaged GA Telesis when they encountered an AOG. The OEM quoted the airline a long lead time to perform the required repairs. Our engineering team quickly worked with the airline to develop the necessary repairs, and our experienced technicians worked expeditiously to carry out the plan. It was a great success as we are now receiving more units. Additionally, there has been a major challenge lately with sub-component lead times. As we know, OEMs have strained supply chains due to the pandemic. However, GA Telesis has worked closely with airline engineering departments to create solutions, removing some of the supply chain burden. Our team never ceases to amaze me.
Q – Can you tell us more about your OEM alignment strategy? How has it helped you run the business?
Ans – Our goal is to reduce the operational cost of our customer base while increasing time on-wing for our products. As such, our priority is to align with OEMs. By using OEM parts, GA Telesis guarantees product reliability. Airlines benefit from having access to OEM content at sensible prices to the extent that using alternate parts, such as PMAs, does not provide any economic benefit. GA Telesis acts as a marketplace platform between the OEMs and the airlines. This gives us access to international airlines that have no desire to use PMA parts. To be clear, we are not averse to using PMA parts.
GA Telesis has a solid engineering team constantly working on repairs and solutions for our customers. For instance, there is a crew handle in the cockpit of the A300 freighter that is prone to cracks. While a handle may sound insignificant, this particular item cannot be deferred for safety reasons. One of our key US customers challenged us to repair these handles. Our team rose to the task and developed a repair for these out-of-production handles. We use this expertise to support OEMs and customers alike.
Q – Can you explain to our readers the role of Turbo Teams? How efficient are these teams in handling the AOG situation?
Ans – Our Turbo Teams are highly qualified, highly passionate technicians with a proven record. As longstanding members of our team, they understand that customer service is one of the categories that genuinely sets us apart in the marketplace. On a typical AOG, we can dispatch a team within four to eight hours, depending on flight availability. Our teams have specific toolboxes for various tasks that are capable of being checked in on any flight. Once the team arrives, they have all the tooling and the technical data required to carry out the task. In addition, our engineering team monitors the progress from the home base and can provide documentation and direction accordingly.
Q – Have you faced a challenging AOG situation? How did the Turbo Teams handle it? Can you share your experience?
Ans – All AOG situations are somewhat challenging because the customer needs the aircraft back in service as soon as possible. However, our highly experienced teams know how to navigate through these situations. Thus far, there has not been an instance in which our Turbo Teams have not been able to fulfill their commitments to our customers.
Q – The pandemic, just like everyone, must be particularly difficult. How did you manage the pandemic crisis?
Ans – We managed very well during 2020. While we shifted our focus at the onset of the pandemic, the key objective was not to operate in crisis mode. Instead, we took the necessary steps to minimize the adverse impact on the business and, more importantly, avoid disruptions to our teammates’ lives.
GA Telesis has a very seasoned management team that has experienced several crises. First, we reduced our SG&A, without compromising our staff level, to the point where our MRO Services group never had a losing month – even during the height of the pandemic. Moreover, we anticipated supply-chain issues, so we placed large orders for subcomponents from our suppliers and OEMs to ensure we had more than an adequate supply of parts. We also increased our internal manufacturing capabilities (we now have FAA approval for fabrication) to not rely on third parties when possible. Another important step was the diversification of subcontractors that perform critical processes. This proved very successful as some of our subcontractors experienced intermittent closures early on. In the end, we did not lay off a single employee. Instead, we hired technicians in the middle of a pandemic.
Q – How are you coping with the post-pandemic demand?
Ans – Our group had a record revenue year in 2021. These positive results were due to our ample material to support our current and new customers’ needs. In addition, our team worked diligently to exceed customers’ expectations. If the first five months of 2022 hold throughout the rest of the year, our team will establish a new record year. However, notwithstanding our optimism, we are cautiously watching the current economic environment and are concerned about the shift of the indicators.
Q – In 2021, GAT reported an extension and expansion of the Honeywell agreement through the end of 2028. Any other partnerships or MOUs on the radar?
Ans – Indeed, we are currently working with two new OEMs. If successful, GA Telesis will expand its electronic and fuel capabilities. Stay tuned!
Q – Just last year, GA Telesis MRO Services Group added a new radome testing facility. Can you tell us a bit more about this facility? How is it different from other competitor facilities?
Ans – The transmissivity test cell was an instant success. As soon as we received FAA approval, several operators, and competitors who lack testing facilities, began sending us work. The business went from two radomes a month to over thirty units each month. The test cell is a state-of-the-art facility that is unparalleled in its capabilities in our region. Our FAA PMI provided excellent guidance early in the design, development, and setup process. In addition, unlike most test systems, our entire test cell is computerized, generating a “heat-map” image of the radome being tested, resulting in increased quality and reliability.
Q – Any other technological advancements or expansion plans on the block?
Ans – We have commenced an initiative to significantly expand our fuel component capabilities. We now have the right people and have acquired the specific test equipment required to expand this product line. This will be a primary focus for 2022 and 2023.
Read more stories.…. CHANGES IN AEROSPACE LOGISTICS POST COVID 19
Q – Any words of advice to the youngsters planning a career in aerospace engineering.
Ans – I began my career thinking it was going to be a summer job. It has been a long summer, and I fell in love with this industry. I always give this advice to my sons; if you do your job well, you will get a raise next year. If you do things above and beyond your job responsibilities that add value to the company, you will be promoted before that. The other piece of advice is to have a passion for your job and have fun. And fun is something we do well at GA Telesis.
