Rheinland Air Service (RAS), Europe’s independently-owned regional aircraft MRO organization, is announcing its recent facility expansion – plus its brand-new ATR approval – at era2011, the general assembly of the European Regions Airline Association. The event is being held September 28–30 2011, at the Marriott Rome Park Hotel in Rome, Italy.
Centrally based at Düsseldorf’s Moenchengladbach Airport, RAS is an EASA Part 145 and Part 21 approved organization. The company, which also holds approvals from Russia and Bermuda, focuses on base maintenance for the ATR 42/72 series. Additionally, RAS is authorized on the Boeing 737 series, the Airbus A320 family, Bombardier Dash 8s, Jetstream 31/41, and Fokker 50 aircraft.
At era2011, RAS will introduce the new and expanded facilities at its Moenchengladbach home base, which can simultaneously accommodate up to six ATR aircraft. The RAS facility now includes a new paint shop; 400m² of workshop space; 200m² of office space; 400m² of parts storage space, plus a 200m² staff lounge. Representing an investment of $1 million USD, the expansion that finished in early-2011 added an additional 1200m² to the already-impressive 4,000m² RAS facility.
RAS will also be announcing its new ATR Repair and Overhaul approval certificate for Flight Controls. This approval follows a stringent, just-completed audit of the RAS facility and technicians. RAS’ exacting quality assurance exceeded the audit tolerances, leading to the company receiving just the second ATR Flight Controls authorization in all of Europe.
“As one of only three companies in the world with this coveted ATR approval, our customers’ confidence and satisfaction can only increase,” says Johannes Schaesberg, RAS Chairman. “Combined with our recent maintenance facility expansion at Moenchengladbach, customers will experience even better, faster, and more reliable assistance with all their MRO needs.”
With the expansion, RAS is able to support continued growth in its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) business. The company currently services more than 75 aircraft annually. Its broad range of MRO services include engine checks and repairs; structural repair of aircraft; component repair and overhaul; paint and interior work; cabin refurbishment; plus complete avionics installations and customizations (HF, ELT, EGPWS). From its well-stocked warehouse filled with $2 million USD in aircraft component parts, RAS is able to guarantee short turn-around times on repairs and meet customers’ fixed deadlines.
“With our new facilities, we further improve the special handling required for aircraft parts,” says Walter Lange, RAS Chief Operating Officer. “In addition, the shop expansion will enhance the inspection and testing of avionics systems.”
As an EASA-approved Part 21 organization for avionics and electronics solutions, RAS has long been a leader in developing and installing customized avionics. RAS is accredited to authorize minor aircraft changes and supervise the approval process. Avionics services include hardware and software updates and upgrades; flight-deck modifications; and system training. RAS is a dealer for Rockwell Collins and Honeywell avionics, and is authorized to install EGPWS, HF, and TCAS systems for the ATR 42/72 used by many European airlines.
“Avionics continue to get more and more important,” added Lange. “In our new avionics shop, we have the perfect working environment. I cannot imagine a better environment for customizing advanced avionics solutions for our customers.”
In addition to explaining the benefits of its recent expansion and ATR approval, RAS will also be discussing plans to build another maintenance hangar within the next 12–18 months, doubling its capacity. Stop by the RAS booth at era2011 to find out more.
About Rheinland Air Service
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, RAS is one of the largest MRO companies for ATR base maintenance in Europe. The company employs about 150 people at its headquarters, its hangar in Moenchengladbach, in Weeze, Frankfurt Hahn and Munich Executive Airport (Oberpfaffenhofen). For airlines, business and privately-owned aircraft, RAS provides qualified, EASA-certified maintenance and repair. For ground handling at airports, RAS offers a wide range of services. In Munich (OBF, EDMO) and Moenchengladbach (MGL, EDLN), RAS provides support for passengers and crews, as well as comprehensive services for aircraft supply. At the airports in Düsseldorf-Weeze (NRN, EDLV), Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) and Mönchengladbach (MGL, EDLN), RAS also offers aircraft refueling services. www.ras.de