RUAG achieves European first with repainting of Challenger 350 in Munich

RUAG Aviation is the first company in Europe to fully repaint a Bombardier Challenger 350 since the aircraft’s launch in 2013. The project, a significant milestone for the company, was completed in record time with maximum transparency, and focused on implementing minute and precise customisations, applying personalised artwork and harmonising finishing effects.

The project was ordered by Windrose Air Jet Charter on behalf of a customer, and involved repainting a brand-new Challenger 350 jet based on a persoenalised design scheme. The partnership between RUAG Aviation and Windrose spans many years, during which RUAG already proved its solid capacities in aircraft painting on multiple occasions, most recently in August 2015.

"Aircraft owners are largely concerned with aircraft resale value," explains Reinhard Imhoff, Sales Manager/Exterior Services in Munich. He continues, "Full repainting and finishing services for aircraft exteriors are necessary for maintenance, durability and value preservation and are performed at set intervals or at the moment of resale."

Windrose’s customer had a personal vision for the brand-new aircraft, and had selected a designer, who provided a complete design brief, specifying every aspect of the project including optical effects and paint. This vision incorporated elements of fine artwork and bold graphics, which even covered the interior surface of the passenger door.

The success of the project hinged on the precise implementation of the customer’s specifications as well as timely delivery and adherence to budget. RUAG Aviation’s specialists were able to optimise downtime by recommending alternative Bombardier-certified paint and finishes without compromising quality or the owner’s visual concept. The multi-layer, special-effect paint system, chosen in close collaboration with the design office and the owner, provided the desired opalescent visual effects and cut project time significantly.

Transparency was ensured throughout the project, as RUAG Aviation’s in-house painting consultancy team provided the customer with daily progress reports, which included photographs along with the written documentation.

RUAG Aviation is proud to have achieved this milestone and to be part of another customer success story.

In addition to full aircraft repainting, RUAG Aviation provides one-stop shop solutions which include MRO, cabin interiors, system upgrades, FBO, and support and consulting.

RUAG Aviation is a leading supplier, support provider and integrator of systems and components for civil and military aviation worldwide.

Servicing aircraft and helicopters throughout their entire life cycle, the company’s core competencies include maintenance, repair and overhaul services, upgrades, and the development, manufacturing and integration of subsystems.

RUAG is an authorised service centre for OEMs of renown, such as Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Bombardier, Cirrus, Cessna, Diamond, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Finmeccanica, Piaggio, Sikorsky, Pilatus, Piper, and Mooney, as well as a service centre for 328 Support Services, Hawker Beechcraft, Viking und MD Helicopters. RUAG Aviation is also a partner to the Swiss Armed Forces and other international air forces.

The company is also the manufacturer (OEM) of the Dornier 228, a versatile aircraft for challenging special missions and passenger and cargo operations.

RUAG Aviation is a certified Part 21J EASA Design Organisation, Part 21G EASA Production Organisation and Part 145 EASA Maintenance Organisation.