Premier Turbines, a division of Dallas Airmotive, Inc., marked a significant milestone in the company's corporate engine business with the completion of the 1,000th Honeywell TFE731 engine serviced. The engine is used on a Learjet 35A and underwent a Core Zone Inspection, Honeywell's terminology for a zero time overhaul.

The engine was formally presented by Jim Robertson, vice president and general manager of Premier Turbines, to Chuck Strong of East Coast Jets, and Director of Maintenance Gary Hall, on September 13. "Our TFE731 program is a great source of pride, and this event represents a major accomplishment for our company," Robertson said. "We've reached this milestone in less than eight years. Since joining forces with Dallas Airmotive, our business has rapidly expanded and we expect continued growth in this product line."

Approximately 200 employees and guests were in attendance at Premier's Neosho, MO turbine overhaul facility as Robertson presented East Coast Jets with commemorative plaques to mark the event.

Dallas Airmotive also acknowledged East Coast Jets at the NBAA meeting in Las Vegas on October 12. The company presented East Coast Jets with models of their Learjet 35A painted in ECJs new scheme.

More than 11,000 TFE731 engines power a worldwide corporate fleet of 3,950 aircraft operating in 83 countries. It has been in service for 32 years while accumulating more than 100 million flight hours.

Jim Donlan, president and CEO of Dallas Airmotive, said, "Premier has an excellent engine repair and overhaul facility that is especially well-suited to supporting the rapid growth of our TFE731 business. Premier Turbines complements our reputation for providing responsive customer service and support to operators flying the TFE731."

Premier Turbines is one of two independent companies in North America authorized by Honeywell to perform TFE731 Core Zone Inspections, as well as Major Periodic Inspections. Authorized since 1996, Premier's heavy maintenance capabilities augment Dallas Airmotive's existing Honeywell approved TFE731 major service centers in Dallas, TX, Minneapolis, MN, and West Palm Beach, FL.

In addition to the TFE731, Premier Turbines is authorized to repair and overhaul the Rolls-Royce Model 250 and T703, General Electric CJ610, CF700, J85, and T700, and Teledyne Continental J69.

FMI: www.dallasairmotive.com, www.bba-aviation.com