Tim Ashenfelter, owner of MSP Jet Center, has a history of finding opportunity in an economic downturn, and last year proved no different. With the aviation industry suffering, GDAS (General Dynamics Aviation Services), the major service provider on Minneapolis International Airport, vacated its maintenance facility, leaving 70 mechanics and 20 administrative people unemployed. Ashenfelter saw an opportunity and made a deal with Signature Flight Support to lease 10,000 sq ft with an option to expand into another 25,000 sq ft.
He hired Dan Henchal, who has a long history in the MRO business, as director of technical services, and opened MSP Jet Center with four employees. The MRO offers maintenance, repair and overhaul on Gulfstream, Astra, Challenger 300 and 600 series, Hawker, Falcon, Citation and Learjet aircraft. It is currently in negotiations to be a designated Honeywell TFE731 service center. It also offers service on the Honeywell HTF7000, Honeywell APU 36 series, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300 and PW500 series, and Rolls-Royce Tay/Spey.
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