Inside C&L Aerospace’s Saab 340B+ Conversion Project for Air Rarotonga

Lindsay Bjerregaard August 14, 2018
Credit: C&L Aerospace

C&L Aerospace sold this 340B+ MSN 368 to Air Rarotonga, a regional airline operating out of the Cook Islands. The company, which has been a long-time Saab partner to the airline, says a key component of the deal was a trade in of Air Rarotonga’s Saab 340A model and one CT7-5A engine. C&L plans to part out the 340A and sell its components along with both CT7-5A engines.

Credit: C&L Aerospace

Along with the sale, C&L completed a complete refurbishment of the aircraft along with a variety of maintenance tasks to bring it to half-life until its next inspection.

Credit: C&L Aerospace

C&L stripped the aircraft’s exterior and painted it with Air Rarotonga’s livery.

Credit: C&L Aerospace

The interior was completely refurbished. This included carpet replacement in the cabin and sidewall and passenger compartment seat configuration. Sidewalls, overhead bins, ceiling panels, cove panels, galleys and the lavatory were repainted.

Credit: C&L Aerospace

Maintenance checks and updates were performed, including installation of a KHF 950 avionics system and ditching capability. C&L also performed a variety of calendar inspections.

Credit: C&L Aerospace

C&L says the refurbishment and maintenance project took approximately 90 days, since Air Rarotonga wanted to ensure a quality refurbishment. “This seamless transition for Air Rarotonga, from a 340A model to a 340B model, was made possible through the experience and versatility of C&L’s worldwide Saab support operation,” says Jameel Wazir, executive vice president, C&L Aerospace. A spokesperson for the MRO provider adds that Air Rarotonga is ecstatic with the results and they anticipate future deals with the airline.

Credit: C&L Aerospace

The newly-refurbished aircraft is one of 10 Saab 340Bs C&L agreed to purchase from Japan Air Commuter (JAC) as part of the airline’s fleet renewal. C&L says these aircraft are all being made available for sale or lease and will be refurbished or customized as necessary to meet customer needs.

Credit: J o/Wikimedia Commons

Deliveries of the 340Bs purchased from JAC began in 2016 and C&L says they will run through early 2020. C&L has been ferrying each aircraft from Japan at the time of its retirement from the airline’s fleet to C&L’s facility in Bangor, Maine.

C&L Aerospace, a Maine-based provider of MRO and engine sales/leasing programs for the corporate and regional aviation industries, has completed the sale and refurbishment of a Saab 340B+ aircraft for Air Rarotonga. Read on to find out what went into the refurbishment and C&L’s plans for the other 340B+ aircraft it acquired from Japan Air Commuter.

Lindsay Bjerregaard

Lindsay Bjerregaard is managing editor for Aviation Week’s MRO portfolio. Her coverage focuses on MRO technology, workforce, and product and service news for MRO Digest, Inside MRO and Aviation Week Marketplace.