Oct. 23--Air Capital Interiors is displaying its aircraft interior cabinet and upholstery repair services at the National Business Aviation Association's annual show for the first time this week in Las Vegas.
It's also the first week the new company will be officially open for business near 37th Street North and Webb Road in Wichita.
For the past few months, company officials have been installing a spray booth, dust collection system and other equipment, renovating a site, putting together a quality management system and tending to the multitude of details related to launching a company.
The company was founded to help plane owners who want to extend the life of worn and dated business aircraft.
"We're going to do interior refurbishments for in-service aircraft," said Rodney Wilson, Air Capital Interiors president. That includes cabinetry refinishing and re-veneering and re-upholstery of panels, sidewalls and headliners for private and corporate aviation.
Services range from complete refurbishments with custom designs and materials to simpler furniture and upholstery repairs, the company said. It also can design and manufacture a complete cabin interior package for aircraft development projects and prototyping.
The idea for the service came from the owners of the Appearance Group, a Wichita company that specializes in cleaning and detailing corporate aircraft and refurbishing leather.
"Their customers have been talking to them about refurbishments," Wilson said.
That's when Appearance Group executives Don and Matt Henry approached Wilson with the idea. Wilson most recently was director of business development for regional and business jets at Precision Pattern. He left the company in May.
Air Capital Interiors is co-owned by the Henrys, Wilson and the company's director of operations, Terry Crumrine.
Typical repair services will be done through a network of aircraft maintenance and repair facilities across the U.S., Wilson said. Most repairs can be completed while an airplane is undergoing routine aircraft maintenance, he said.
The initial plan is to have eight employees, including skilled technicians and craftsmen.
"As the business grows and we see that the market is expanding, we'll expand our skills," Wilson said.
Before NBAA, the company had a few conversations with prospects. But Wilson said he didn't want to talk to prospective customers before the company was up and ready to do business.
"NBAA is my first opportunity to get out there and meet with prospects," he said.
Reach Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @mmcmillin.
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