Yingling to service Beechcraft piston aircraft

Textron Aviation’s acquisition of Beechcraft has helped a local aviation company expand its services.

Yingling Aviation on Tuesday said it received Textron Aviation approval to serve as an authorized service facility for Beechcraft piston-engine aircraft. The approval means it can service Bonanzas, Barons and out-of-production Beechcraft piston-propeller aircraft.

It also means the nearly 70-year-old fixed-base operator at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport can expand its parts and service business beyond Cessna, Textron Aviation’s other product line. Almost since its founding, Yingling has been a parts dealer and service provider for Cessna’s entire line of aircraft.

Yingling president Lonnie Vaughan said the company has been and remains loyal to Cessna, and didn’t want to upset that business relationship by seeking service agreements with other aircraft manufacturers. The acquisition of Beechcraft in 2014 allowed Yingling to pursue the service expansion, Vaughan said.

“They’re both highly successful, highly established brands, and we’re thrilled to be able to represent both of them,” he said.

Vaughan said Yingling already employed some aircraft mechanics who were trained to work on Beechcraft planes. But Yingling is sending other mechanics to receive Beechcraft training.

He said the company also had to buy some specialized tooling to work on Beechcraft planes, as well as invest in Beechcraft parts to have that inventory on hand.

“Those investments will continue to flow for the next few months, too, training-wise,” he said.

Vaughan said the company hasn’t added to its base of 100 employees as part of the Beechcraft deal – at least not yet.

“The business will dictate that, though I hope so,” he said of hiring additional workers. “I hope we get to hire lots of people.”

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Yingling to service Beechcraft piston aircraft."