Aircraft asset management services specialist Acumen Aviation is launching a Static Aircraft Management (SAM) program to help customers manage grounded fleets. The program is being offered as part of Acumen’s technical asset management services, which focus on inspection services to help protect leased assets throughout the investment lifecycle.
“At this time of unique challenge and rapid transformation, we believe that it is essential to provide holistic programs that can be adapted to manage and optimize inactive commercial aircraft operations,” says Jeremy Edwards, Acumen Aviation’s chief marketing officer.
Through SAM, Acumen will help clients monitor and inspect global fleets to keep them ready for deployment through its SPARTA software, which is already being used by customers for asset management requirements and is normally packaged into service offerings to customers. Acumen Aviation CEO Alok Anand says SPARTA allows aircraft inspections to be “recorded and reported efficiently as well as store and share large amounts of aircraft records for remote work, including ability to review and report discrepancies.”
In addition to these digital offerings, Acumen says it will help customers with the provision of continuing airworthiness management, the management of powerplant programs and the implementation of short- and long-term aircraft storage programs. As part of the aircraft storage programs offering, Acumen is partnering with independent Indian MRO Air Works Group to provide tailored parking and storage solutions across India. Air Works will also provide maintenance support and import/export customs clearances. The MRO says aircraft can stay in India for up to six months under its Part 145 maintenance certification with the option for extension, subject to the approval of regulatory authorities.
According to Anand, preservation of aircraft, return to service checks and the costs associated with parking slots are the biggest concerns for operators trying to deal with grounded aircraft. “We are confident that Air Works has the proven technical ability to assist operators with these challenges,” he says. “Also, we have secured parking slots in tier 2 and 3 cities in India which are available at lower parking charges.”
Anand notes that Acumen has previously partnered with other global MROs on similar offerings, including partners in the U.S. and Europe, and it has a framework in place to work with them on a case-by-case basis.
