ABOUT...
THE AEROPLANE FACTORY

The Aeroplane Factory opened in 1977 as a shop to work primarily on the Swift. The shop does all types of work on the plane but specializes in sheet metal work and modifications. This effort has created a parallel side of making parts as needed for the repairs. Making parts has demanded new tools and tooling so we are constantly obtaining new equipment. To reverse engineer parts, the inspection department is equipped with a photo spectrometer to determine material chemistry along with hardness and tensile testing to determine strength or heat treat. The machine shop has turning, milling, and grinding capabilities. The sheet metal shop has press brakes, a contour (Farnham) roll for fuselage and leading edge skins, coining hot dimpler, broken arm router, and a 600 ton hydroform press. With each job that comes in we add tooling to make additional new parts. We currently hold five multiple, and two one-time STC’s. We have also obtained numerous field approvals. 
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Thanks, Don & Astro
(and in memory of Helo)