Jet Aviation St. Louis designs testing machine for flutter dampers on Challengers

Jet Aviation St. Louis has designed and commissioned the manufacture of a testing machine for flutter dampers on Challengers, becoming one of very few facilities in North America capable of testing flutter dampers. The machine went into service in April, allowing Jet Aviation St. Louis to complete testing of flutter dampers in three to four days and within 24 hours with advance notice. Each Challenger is equipped with six flutter dampers that are designed to help stabilize flight controls in the event of a hydraulic failure. “This new capability can eliminate up to three weeks of additional downtime for a Challenger while it’s in for other service,” said Chuck Krugh, senior vice president and general manager at Jet Aviation St. Louis. “The dampers previously had to be sent to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for testing. Now we can perform those tests on site, providing not only this valuable service but also getting our customers’ aircraft back in the air as quickly and as safely as possible.”