Avionics News December 2022 - 28

On a Beechcraft King Air B200, technicians
installed dual Garmin G600 TXi flight displays,
dual GTN 750Xi GPS/nav/comm multifunction
displays, S-TEC 3100 digital autopilot and new
Garmin GWX 70 weather radar.
STEVENS AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE SYSTEMS
Continued from page 27
When retrofitting a Beechcraft King Air with the
Garmin G1000 glass avionics suite, Stevens' technicians
put " extra effort into the quality and appearance of the
cockpit, " according to Brown, including refurbishing
the panel overlays and knobs and installing two Davtron
clocks.
" And we wrap the glare shield and control yokes in
a baseball-style stitched leather, " he said. " It looks like
a brand-new King Air that just rolled off the line. It's
head and shoulders above what others are doing. We also
go so far as refurbishing the nose compartment. While
no one really ever sees it, we make it look new too. We
remove the shelves, old rivnuts and everything else, fill
in all the unused holes and repaint the inside panels and
the nose. "
Smart solutions to keep customers flying
The long lead times for parts needed for repairs is
leading Brown's team to develop creative workarounds
so customers can keep flying.
" If something like a BendixKing RDR 2000 weather
radar needs repaired, it can take three to four weeks wait
time and cost upwards of $12,000, " Brown said. " If the
airplane is equipped with a GTN 750, for example, I
won't send it off for repair. Instead, I'll find a tagged or
overhauled Garmin GWX 70 or something similar and
wire it up to display on the GTN 750.
28 avionics news * december 2022
" Particularly, the older autopilots like the Collins
APS-65 and APS-80 and the Honeywell Sperry 200
system, are getting harder and harder to get repaired and
find reliable parts for. Since Garmin and S-TEC have
viable autopilot systems on the market, we're starting to
see more interest in upgrading. So, instead of repairing
some of the old equipment, the trend now is to get rid of
it and replace it with a new system. "
Making the most of every encounter
At the Tennessee MRO, the number of technicians has
nearly doubled over the years. Today, it employs a staff
of 55, including nine avionics and service technicians and
33 maintenance technicians, with the balance focused on
administrative and other tasks.
" The departments here work hand in hand with each
other, " Brown said. " I think our efficiency is higher because
of that, because of the good working relationships that we
have with each other out on the floor. "
Blacker attributes the repair station's robust growth to having
experienced, talented people on staff and to making the most of
every encounter with operators, especially pre-buy inspections.
" We've seen a lot of pre-buy inspections over the last
several years. A pre-buy inspection is an opportunity to gain
a new customer and add to our already strong customer
base, " said Blacker, adding that he expects the MRO's sales
growth to continue.
" Our growth is exponential. The hangar is full. The ramp
is full. We have plenty of work. If I had the other hangar
today, it would be full. " q
Avionics News December 2022

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