Triple R Affordable Aircraft, a company dedicated to providing a formal, accountable method of refurbishing aircraft to nearly new condition and marketing them at attractive prices, announced its formation at AirVenture. Triple R’s president isAVweb publisherTom Bliss, but he explained to a press conference at AirVenture this week thatTriple R is not anAVwebcompany, project or joint venture. Blissexplained that there were only 754 new piston-engine airplanes delivered in the U.S. last year. At current prices, his data indicate that only 0.05 percent of Americans can afford a new aircraft and less than 1 percent of American pilots will buy a new airplane this year.
Triple R Affordable Aircraft’s solution is to rebuild, restore and re-equip current general aviation aircraft-nose to tail and wingtip to wingtip-following a common set of standards that can be relied upon by buyers and sellers. The refurbished aircraft will be in like-new condition, with like-new performance and sell for less than half the price of a new airplane.
Vice president and general manager Christian Pulm said Triple R Affordable Aircraft will partner with Part 145 maintenance facilities that will refurbish airplanes under a standardized protocol that will include what components will be replaced or overhauled, inspect and certify the shops and provide a centralized marketing program for the airplanes. Shops may buy, refurbish and sell refurbished airplanes that meet the Triple R standard or an owner may have his or her aircraft refurbished to Triple R standards at one of the approved shops. In addition, Triple R will assist with insurance and financing for aircraft that meet Triple R standards. The goal is to provide a supply of quality affordable aircraft to individuals, flying clubs and flight schools and a stream of revenue for industry, including OEMs that will be supplying new parts for the refurbishment shops.
