News
In June, Central Aero featured in the Kiwi Flyer June/July issue. Here's the article.
Hamilton based Central Aero Electrical Limited
overhauls and maintains many types of electrical
aircraft equipment for a range of operators and
maintenance organisations.
FORMED IN July 2008 and gaining a Part
145 certification in December 2008, the
company aims to provide a cost effective
servicing and supply facility for aircraft
electrical and ignition components. On
the eve of its first anniversary, KiwiFlyer
spoke with founder
Martin Ross on the
achievements to date
and where the company
is headed in concert
with its neighbour and
partner, Central Aero
Engineering Limited.
The jewels in the
crown for Central
Aero Electrical is that
it holds CAA Part 145
certification and can
draw on many years
of expertise in general
aviation electrical
components. Martin
would be one of very
few sole traders with
this level of certification
and skill base. Martin isn’t entirely on his
own though, with the team at Central
Aero Engineering able to assist when
circumstances dictate. Experienced aircraft
avionics engineer Mike Smith is also on call
and specialises in electronic components
such as voltage regulators and strobes.
Quality assurance is key to the operation
with Martin noting that “We are building
our reputation on the production of quality
overhauled components that can often be
turned around in a very tight timeframe.
Central Aero Electrical values its customers
and endeavours to satisfy, retain, and
encourage other companies and individuals
to use our services.”
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Martin Ross at work on the Central
Aero
Electrical test bench. |
Available facilities
The comprehensive yet compact
workshop has a large component test
bench. This test bench has in fact served
many years at other locations in New
Zealand and with four three phase motors
within its belly, a 14600 rpm and 500 amp
loading is within its capabilities.
Allied to the test bench is a magneto rig.
Designed for dual magnetos it will handle
up to a 12 cylinder magneto although 4 and
6 cylinder versions are more common fare.
A late model capacity tester brings
the ability to test current leakage with an
increasing range of minor diagnostic and
hand tooling completing the set up.
For Martin the opportunity to start out
on his own was largely possibly through the
test bench becoming available. This plus
the factor of offering a personalised service
appealed to Martin, particularly because
he could bring personal interest to any
problem or overhaul that
was presented.
Service capabilities
Martin explains
that; “A factor with the
operation of a small
business is that anything
is likely to roll up to the
door and this means that
not only does expertise
need to be maintained
for the traditional GA
range of products, but
also the latest solid state
systems found in todays
light sport aircraft need
to be addressed. Central
Aero Engineering is
becoming something of
a magnet in attracting the next generation
of light aircraft so interesting challenges
abound.”
While the usual fare of piston engine
starter/ generator, control unit rectification
and overhaul work along with the 500
hour requirement for magnetos makes up
a fair proportion of
daily work, a steadily
growing amount of
turbine electrical
components are
also passing through
the shop. This is
confirmed by recent
rectification of
generator control
units fitted to the
Pratt & Whitney PT6
series found in PAC
Cresco and XL750
aircraft along with
those common to
the Walter turbine
engine and RR250
power-plants within
the Bell 206 series of
helicopters.
Other areas of expertise include the
installation, servicing and repair of the
range of Whelen strobe lights plus the
bedding in of brushes on starter/generator
units by ‘motoring in’ at 12v 40amp in
‘starter’ mode. This procedure enables
a one day turnaround whereas a similar
process in ‘generator’ mode can take up
to three days. Central Aero Electrical also
stocks and supplies other aircraft parts
for re-sale including starters, batteries,
alternators, strobe units, starter generators,
GCU’s, voltage regulators, ignition switches,
and HT ignition harnesses.
As with any certified maintenance
organisation, having the correct manual
for the job required is paramount. There
are times however when a manual is
not available. The best information in
these cases is invariably a circuit diagram
and parts list. It is times like this when
specialised knowledge and experience
coupled with accurate fault diagnosis is
required. Then a procedure is developed,
documented and followed. Many an
Eastern European sourced component has
been rescued in this way by Martin.
Central Aero Electrical may be a small
repair organisations but it has dedicated
service coupled with allied organisations
under the same roof that enable it to
participate far beyond its perceived size.
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