HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-02-08, Page 12Crossroads
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Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Exeter Times Advocate
MD 87 takes GoderichAircraft to new altitude
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
HURON PARK — "It's a big job but we're young
and eager," says Andy Orr from Goderich Aircraft in
Huron Park about the latest project the firm is about
to undertake.
Goderich Aircraft announced last December the
company had signed a contract with BCI Jets of
Chicago, Illinois to convert an MD 87 airliner to an
executive VIP jet.
The project took a major step forward Jan. 27 with
the arrival of the 39.75 metre long jet in Huron Park.
Orr said the runway size wasn't a problem for the jet
but the firm will need minor modifications for its
hangers to accommodate the length of the jet.
"We couldn't go any bigger," said Orr.
The contract came about through a referral from
another customer last September which led to a
phone call, a meeting at a convention and finally the
contract being signed in December.
The work on the aircraft will involve installing the
amenities usual on a luxury VIP aircraft, including a
stateroom, with ensuite lavatory and conference
room. Goderich Aircraft has also been awarded the
contract to do the heavy maintenance on the plane.
The customer is involved in airline leasing and is
looking to refurbish aircraft coming in off leases to
have them ready for individual, companies and
heads of state looking for VIP outfitted jets.
The type of work to be done on the jet will not be
different for Goderich Aircraft, although the scale of
the project will be. "There's not many in Canada that
do it," said Orr.
In addition to the 81 working at the business, Orr
said 20-30 people will be hired in order for the firm
to keep up with its current commitments that see 14
aircraft in various stages of work. Those hired will
have more of the same type of skills used at the busi-
ness, and will be heavily called on said Orr.
The location of Goderich Aircraft, according to Orr,
gives the company a talented base of labour to draw
on within a 45 minute radius of Huron Park.
"It takes us into the highest level of completion,"
said Orr. "It's the pinnacle."
Andy Orr, in charge of aircraft completion sales for Goderich Aircraft in Huron Park, stands in front of an MD
87 airliner that arrived in Huron Park Jan. 27.The company has been awarded a contract to refurbish the jet
into an executive VIP aircraft. (photos/Pat Bolen)