Aircraft Maintenance Technology

MAY 2017

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GENER AL AVIATION CONTINENTAL INVESTS IN NEW FACILITY IN MOBILE International Holding Corporation has chosen the city of Mobile, AL, for the first step of a three-year global investment plan to expand its manufacturing, customer ser vice, and engineering infrastructure. This first step will build a new manufacturing facility and corporate office located at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley and will replace the company's current 11 building footprint with a single, state-of-the-art facility designed for lean manufacturing and office systems. The new facility will be nearly 225,000 square feet with the majority being dedicated to advanced engine and parts manufacturing. The facility will be populated with new manufacturing equipment and include a special area designated for evaluation of new manufacturing techniques and processes, including additive manufacturing and automation. "The current operation being spread throughout multiple buildings, drives many challenges and inefficiencies," said Michael Skolnik, executive vice president Global Operations. "Continental Motors has been a big part of the local Mobile community for over 50 years and is pleased with the com- munity support that allows us to renew our commitment to the region and our great team members for many years to come. The "greenfield" facility will modernize our manu- facturing processes into a world class, high productivity, vertically integrated center of manufacturing excellence in the new center of aviation in Mobile, AL," he said. Building a new factor y is only one part of the plan to transform Continental Motors and the way the company designs, manufactures, certifies, and supports products. CMG will build a new customer and technical ser vice infrastructure and environment that will allow assisting customers through phone, email, and app support, regardless of their location in the world, 24/7/365. Furthermore, Continental Motors will increase its capacity to develop new products and expand China market access with a new engineering and design ser vice center based in China. "We are pleased to announce a renewed partnership with all to secure the company's future for another 100 years. Further, I am pleased to announce our commitment to our global team members and customers with a firm investment to modernize our facilities, products, and support." said Rhett Ross, president and CEO of Continental Motors Group Ltd. Continental Motors will finish building design and equipment selection in 2017 and will move into its new North American facility in 2019. 8 MAY 2017 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY THIS IS a Lycoming cylinder undergoing a leakdown test. Continental's facility rebuilds Lycoming engines. CONTINENTAL MOTORS ALL VALVES are lapped and maintain specific locations. TIM KERN or loss of compression. A change in tem- perature from normal, in normal opera- tion, can also be a sign of immediate or impending trouble. Engines arrive in Fairhope at all stages of life, from newer units whose propel- lers have encountered unexpected solid objects, to run-out (and beyond), to engines with low hours, but which have exceeded calendar time limit. (Continental recommends 12-year overhauls, regard- less of total time.) All rebuilds are fitted with new AN hardware (nuts, bolts, washers), as well as new fasteners in critical areas such as connecting rods and counterweight bolts. Bearings, rings — all new, as well. Yes, and new magnetos. After valves and guides (new or re-used) are fitted up and valve seats are re-cut if necessary, every valve is lapped into its specific position. Then each is checked, typically at 80 psi, for leakage, using the classic soapy water method, effective for over 100 years. Continental maintains a selection of rotable stock for long lead-time items like crankshafts. Cranks can be and often are reground within factory limits. "Often, since we are using better equipment and SOPHISTICATED TITAN sump. TIM KERN

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