TTA’s Tour of the World of Aircraft
In this ongoing series, Thrust Tech Accessories (TTA) shines a light on the many different aircraft types presently in service around the world. Join us as we explore the roles they play in the myriad industries they serve and the challenges they sometimes see in performing their important duties day-by-day, year-after-year, all across the globe.
We also wish to underscore the key role that MROs like TTA play behind-the-scenes in providing overhaul, repair, overhaul, and modification of engines and airframe accessory components that keep such aircraft flying properly, safely – and long into the future.
Bombardier’s Soaring Success
Over the past 80 years, Bombardier has built its business reputation on creativity, growth, and innovation. “Uniquely, it’s soared in success by building just about anything that moves – from snowmobiles to ambulances, rolling railroad stock, personal watercraft, subway cars, commercial aircraft and business jets,” says Stanley Kowlessar, general manager, Thrust Tech Accessories (TTA), an FAA 145 and EASA Certified repair station provider of MRO services in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “This true story is, quite frankly, an amazing journey.”
In rural Quebec, Canada, Joseph-Armand Bombardier built his first snowmobile at the age of 15, and several years later launched his first commercial snowmobile. Then in 1942, he officially founded L’Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée to manufacture a 12-seat B12 snowmobile. Other snow-going vehicles followed for ambulance, freight transport, mail delivery and school transportation.
Branching out, Bombardier also launched the world-famous Ski-Doo personal watercraft in 1959. Then in 1970, the company acquired Lohnerwerke in Vienna, Austria, a manufacturer of motor scooters and trams, and its subsidiary, the engine manufacturer ROTAX. In 1973, Bombardier dove deeper into rail. Mass transit followed as the firm manufactured 423 cars for the City of Montreal’s subway system. And in 1982, Bombardier inked a $1 billion contract to supply 825 subway cars for the New York City Transit Authority.
First taking to the skies in 1986, Bombardier purchased Canadair, the leading Canadian aircraft manufacturer of Challenger widebody business jets plus the CL-215 amphibious firefighting aircraft. Over the years, the iconic Challenger aircraft evolved and in 2021, the company launched the Challenger 3500, featuring the most technologically advanced cabin in its class. Today, those aircraft have become popular business jets for the world’s top corporate flight departments and charter operators.
The CRJ platform truly revolutionized regional commercial air travel…
“From our perspective, another important Bombardier aviation milestone occurred in 1989, when Bombardier launched the 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) program,” says Kowlessar. That CRJ program was certified in 1992 and evolved into the 70-seat CRJ700 in 1997, the 86-seat CRJ900 in 2000 and the 100-seat CRJ1000 in 2007. “The CRJ platform truly revolutionized regional commercial air travel,” emphasizes Kowlessar. “That aircraft connected many smaller cities to major airline hubs, thus broadening the accessibility of air transportation for many more people.”
Brands come and go, though. It’s the ebb and flow of all types of businesses, not limited to aviation. From a business perspective, Bombardier is now focusing on larger, business jets. So, over the years, it’s shed not only the CRJ brand, but also Learjet and De Havilland. The last Learjet rolled off the production line in 2022.
That said, many of those CRJs and De Havilland Dash-8s are still in the air today and quite popular with TTA’s clients. “Last year, for example, we received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support specific overhaul requirements for the motors needed on stabilizer actuators for Learjet airframes,” Kowlessar notes, and “we’ve been able to assist many customers who needed this critical MRO work completed.”
Currently, Bombardier’s shining star on the business jet side is the company’s ultra-long-range Global Express business jet, which is capable of flying non-stop from Montreal to Tokyo. The platform now includes the Global Express XRS (6000), Global 5000, Global 5500, Global 6500, Global 7500 and the industry’s new flagship, the Global 8000, introduced in 2022.
TTA plans to grow this segment of our business to meet increasing industry needs…
“That aircraft combines the fastest speed, longest range, and smoothest ride with proven reliability and a healthy cabin that offers the latest ‘connectivity’ technology,’” Kowlessar emphasizes. “While TTA does Global Express MRO work now, we’re definitely planning to grow this segment of our business to meet increasing industry needs related to that Global platform.
But whatever Bombardier platform that TTA’s customers use – Globus, CRJ or Challenger, Kowlessar stresses that “we’re here to assist with cost-effective, aviation MRO services and solutions.” In particular, TTA does a sizable amount of MRO business with the CRJ and Challenger platforms. That might include everything from hydraulic pumps to pump and motor packages, pneumatic valves, PDUs, stab actuators, generators and more. “We also recently expanded our in-house parts inventory to help with quicker turnaround and to keep clients’ aircraft in the air where they’re making money,” he adds.
With more than 80 years of incredible history, Bombardier has created everything that moves from snowmobiles to rail rolling stock, personal watercraft, subway cars, commercial and business aircraft. “We can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for that company,” says Kowlessar, adding that “TTA itself is also evolving and expanding, so we’re well-positioned to serve customers with what’s next on the aviation industry’s horizon.”
Please Also Read:
In addition to this feature on Bombardier, review tales of other regional aircraft types, such as Embraer. Also learn about some of aviation’s most notorious “workhorses” including the mission of rotorcraft in service to public safety and the highly specialized crop dusters that are a vital tool for the nation’s high-production farmers.
