Despite record sales of new business aircraft, legacy corporate jets and turboprops continue to fly. For the MRO industry, keeping those aircraft airborne presents increasing opportunities. Along with the usual cabin refurbishments and flightdeck upgrades, many aircraft are, or soon will be, in need of complex structural repairs requiring unique engineering solutions.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Applying Lean industrial practices to the aviation MRO business is a practical yet challenging proposition, according to the industry consultants and front line staff who participated in the AVIATION WEEK Management Forum "Lean and Six Sigma for MRO" held here in early October.

As far back as 1998, the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, realized it would be facing dwindling supply sources for the electronics used on the F-16 fighters it maintains. In fact, some 70 percent of the fighter's original electronic components are no longer being manufactured, according to Mike Jackson, chief of the business operations division, office of the aircraft supply chain manager.