AAR Receives FAA, EASA Approval for 717-200 Interior Modifications

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (September 5, 2012) – AAR (NYSE: AIR) has received design approvals from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Europe’s airworthiness authority, to perform custom interior modifications for Boeing 717-200 aircraft operated by a startup European airline.

AAR’s design modifies the 717-200 aircraft from a two-class configuration into a high-density one-class configuration. The modification also includes installation of certified slim line seats for the first time for this aircraft type.

AAR Engineering Services developed the design and managed the processes to obtain both the FAA and EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approvals, while working closely with the seat manufacturer in its certification efforts. Additionally, modification of the prototype aircraft was accomplished at AAR’s maintenance facility in Miami, Fla.

“Customers appreciate AAR’s ability to offer full turnkey solutions,” said Ron Eaton, Vice President, AAR Engineering Services. “AAR provides seamless integration services, from engineering design and program management to modification kits, certification and installation. We’re a one-stop shop for our customers’ aircraft modification needs.”

AAR Engineering Services provides a wide range of high-quality, cost-effective technical services, specializing in interior reconfigurations, structural and systems modifications, and avionics upgrades requiring FAA or other regulatory agency approvals.