On October 4, Ameco Beijing's new state-of-the-art Boeing 747 Painting and Overhaul Hangar was officially put into operation when the hangar opened its gates for the first aircraft, a Jade Cargo International Airlines B747-400ERF scheduled for C-check. With this new facility in operation, Ameco Beijing is well prepared for the upcoming heavy maintenance winter peak season.

Higher Flexibility and Shorter TAT

The new hangar is especially designed for commercial aircraft heavy maintenance and painting services and can host either one Boeing 747 for painting or one Boeing 747, 767 and 737 for heavy maintenance simultaneously. Ameco Beijing has invested 270 million yuan for construction of this 21,000 sq.m. building, consisting of a 10,000 sq.m. maintenance hall and adjacent buildings for small parts painting, material storage and offices.

It is equipped with modern docking systems, cranes and other equipment that enables Ameco Beijing to perform painting and heavy maintenance work without moving the aircraft, which remarkably shortens TAT and increases efficiency.

The design of the new hangar paid particular attention to environmental friendly production processes. Six air-handling units for fresh air supply and exhaust purposes will ingest fresh air and distribute it throughout the maintenance hall following a heating and humidifying process. At the same time, contaminated air is absorbed into the underground trench to be filtered by paint mist filters and active carbon filters. Wastewater from cleaning is collected by an underground drainage trench and sent to the technical center for purification.

Besides this new painting and overhaul hangar Ameco Beijing's facility encompasses an A380-hangar entirely used for line maintenance services, a 4-bay overhaul hangar and a painting hangar.

Company Profile

Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation (Ameco Beijing) is a joint venture between Air China and Lufthansa German Airlines. It was established on August 1, 1989, with Air China holding 60% and Lufthansa 40% of the registered capital of US$187.53 million.

Ameco Beijing provides maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for airframes, engines and components of commercial aircraft. It also offers engineering and logistics services, GSE calibration as well as technical training. Ameco Beijing is an MRO provider licensed by CAAC, FAA, EASA as well as many other countries' regulatory authorities and acts as a Designated Modification Design Organization (DMDOR) authorized by CAAC.

Photograph: Ameco Beijing's new Boeing 747 Painting and Overhaul Hangar. Photo by Li Kaiyan.