New Stowage Assembly Saves Highly Coveted Baggage Bin Space

Greensboro, North Carolina – 5 April 2011…TIMCO Aerosystems, a unit of TIMCO Aviation Services, announced this week that it has completed delivery of 12 shipsets of its newly certified overhead life raft stowage solution for AirTran Airways. The new storage solution was recently designed and certified by TIMCO for B737NG aircraft.

Life rafts, required on aircraft flying certain over-water routes, have tended to pose a storage challenge on narrowbody aircraft. TIMCO’s solution avoids the use of highly-coveted baggage bin space by instead storing life rafts in the ceiling above the aisle in the aircraft.

“The installed bins look and function very well for us. The rafts are an important element of our long-haul strategy and allow us to fly more efficient routes to many of our destinations, particularly in the Caribbean, while not interfering with precious overhead bin space,” said Kent Horton, Director of Engineering for AirTran Airways. “TIMCO’s ability to provide this turnkey solution and product is certainly valued.”

TIMCO’s manufactured solution is certified to meet all regulatory requirements, and can be installed on newly manufactured aircraft as well as on existing fleets as part of retrofit programs.

Mark Peterman, Vice President of TIMCO Aerosystems said, “It is very satisfying to have developed and installed another innovative aircraft cabin product that addresses a challenge facing airlines like AirTran. We look forward to certifying the stowage assembly on other aircraft fleet types in the near future.”

TIMCO Aviation Services is one of the world’s largest independent aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) companies, providing operators with base maintenance, engine MRO and line services through the TIMCO LineCare network. The company’s TIMCO Aerosystems business is one of a select few companies that can support its customers with a full spectrum of cabin solutions including state-of-the-art design engineering; interiors products including the FeatherWeight™ line of galleys, lavatories and seating; integration project management; and certification services under its FAA ODA Authority.

For additional information, please contact Jeff Luedeke at +1.336.668.4410 x3153, email:  jeff.luedeke@timco.aero