Navigating COVID-19

Click on the sections below to find out more information.

• Facility hours and operations

  While state, local and foreign governments are issuing orders closing nonessential business, the countries where we operate are currently allowing businesses like ours to continue serving customers at all facilities. We will closely monitor the situation and notify any impacted customers if this changes. Global travel restrictions are changing daily, so it is important to consult publicly available information before planning a trip to a Textron Aviation service center location.
  
  Our 1CALL team will continue to be your point of contact for any AOG needs. If Textron Aviation is unable to provide service at your location, including during a warranty period, we will work with our network of authorized service facilities to ensure that your needs are met as quickly as possible.
  
  In the EU – Some Textron Aviation Service Centres in the EU have implemented temporary updated operating hours to limit the impact of COVID-19 while maintaining full services for customers. We look forward to returning to regular operating hours as soon as possible. Please reference the Service Locator page for current information about each location.

• Parts availability and delivery

  Our Parts Distribution Network is working diligently to ensure that you have the support you need at this time. Unless mandated, Textron Aviation has no plans to interrupt parts shipments. While we haven’t experienced an impact on FedEx shipping schedules, we hope that you understand this is an evolving situation. There could be some delays in parts deliveries due to the changing nature of the global situation and airline and handler schedules. As always, our team will approach challenges with a solution-based mindset and will do our best to ensure you receive your parts as quickly as possible.

• Visiting a Textron Aviation facility

  Effective immediately, all Textron Aviation employees and visitors, including contractors, customers, suppliers and vendors, are required to wear a face covering at all times when inside Textron Aviation facilities. Please contact your Textron Aviation representative if you are planning to visit a facility and do not have a face covering to wear while on-site.

  In the US – With the health and well-being of our employees and guests the top priority, Textron Aviation has implemented a Visitor Information Form. All guests, including but not limited to customers, vendors, suppliers and contractors, visiting Textron Aviation US facilities will be required to complete the form prior to their visit. Visitors are required to answer all the questions in the survey, including the name and contact information of their Textron Aviation representative. Once access is approved, your Textron Aviation representative will communicate with you regarding additional visitor protocol. Our teams are committed to doing everything possible to create an exceptional guest experience, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

  In the EU and Asia-Pacific – With various travel restrictions in place, we have taken additional steps concerning all visits to our facilities in Europe and Asia-Pacific. At this time, please notify the facility in advance of your arrival if you plan to visit. Our teams are committed to doing everything possible to accommodate visits, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

  Textron Aviation has developed an EU Visitor Protocol Form for all guests to complete before entry is granted. All persons, including but not limited to customers, vendors, suppliers and contractors, visiting Textron Aviation facilities will be required to complete the form prior to their visit. Visitors are required to answer all the questions in the survey, including the name and contact information of their Textron Aviation representative. Once access is approved, your Textron Aviation representative will communicate with you regarding additional visitor protocol whilst you are at our premises. Please download and complete the EU form and bring it with you when you visit an EU location.

  Information about Latin America – The US is currently allowing businesses like ours to continue serving Latin American customers, and we are maintaining our usual hours of operation at all facilities. Global travel restrictions are changing daily, so it is important to consult publicly available information before planning a trip to a Textron Aviation service center location.

• Caring for your aircraft

  Textron Aviation is closely aligned with the guidance of government and local public health authorities in the regions we operate to ensure all necessary actions and precautions are taken.

  Disinfecting your aircraft:

  Zip-Chem Calla 1452 and Netbiokem DSAM, Zep Aviation RTU (#H025), Bacoban for Aerospace, and Bioesque Botanical Disinfectant Solution may be used to disinfect an aircraft interior.¹ In testing performed by Textron Aviation’s materials engineering team, these products did not adversely affect samples of hard surfaces, interior leather, or windows. Aircraft interiors furnished with custom-based materials may need further evaluation by spot-testing on an inconspicuous area.
  
  Only use approved disinfectants shown above for Textron Aviation aircraft interiors. Products containing unapproved chemicals can damage the interior. Please contact Textron Aviation if (316-517-5800) should there be any question about what products to use.

  If you’re unable to attain these disinfectants due to shortages, we recommend these alternative cleaning options (Please note, cleaning may remove germs, viruses and other contaminants from surfaces, but may not be effective to kill them):

  • Aircraft furnishings: We recommend using isopropyl alcohol (IPA)/water mix (60% IPA/40% water, by volume). For best results, wipe the surface with an IPA/water mix and let it dry. This mix can also be sprayed onto soft surfaces, like carpet, but do not use this IPA/water mix on aircraft leather and windows.
  • Leather and windows: Any commercially available soap and water, such as dishwashing soap, can be used.
  • Electronic displays: For glass products with anti-reflective (AR) coating, use a concentration of greater than 50% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) with a micro-fiber cloth to prevent scratches. Do not use bleach or Lysol® wipes, or any cleaners with Citric Acid or Sodium Bicarbonate as these can etch the coating on these displays. AR glass is used on displays and touchscreens in the Garmin G1000, G3000, and G5000 systems, as well as Collins Proline21 and Proline Fusion. Do not use IPA on acrylic, Lexan, or Polycarbonate screens such as the Garmin GNS 430/530.

  
  The following options are not approved for use in Textron Aviation aircraft:

  • Ozone generators: Ozone can be highly reactive to organic materials. Depending on its degree of ozonation, this method may degrade surfaces or rubber hoses.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: any solution of hydrogen peroxide may evaporate when used as a mist, degrading leathers, acrylic, or polycarbonate window coatings.
  • UV light: UV light causes the leather coating to fade out, furniture coating to crack and furniture stains to deteriorate.

  
  

  In the EU, we request that any aircraft being brought to a Textron Aviation facility for maintenance is first disinfected in accordance with EASA Safety Directive 2020-02 Operational measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus ‘SARS-CoV-2’ infection. While we are still confirming availability at all EU company-owned locations, our contracted cleaning service providers may be able to support this directive. Your Textron Aviation representative can provide you with additional information.
  
  To see the list of approved aircraft disinfectants please download the list here.

  1 These solutions are recommended by their manufacturers as generally effective against human coronavirus strains. Textron Aviation is not aware if they have been specifically tested for effectiveness against COVID-19.

  Preserving your aircraft:

  If you decide to preserve your aircraft during this time, reference Chapter 10 in your Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) for directions and information. In addition to offering overall guidance, Chapter 10 will point you to the relevant Engine Maintenance Manual (EMM) for your aircraft, which provides engine storage requirements. Requirements for several lengths of downtime, including “Ninety-One Days and Over Storage,” are available for customers to determine what is necessary for their aircraft. All storage steps should be documented in the logs if required or in a preservation log. Please note, if your aircraft has been exposed to environmental contaminants (such as salt water or runway de-icing fluids), we recommend a complete aircraft wash before storage. Refer to AMM Chapter 12, Exterior Cleaning, for further information.

  EASA SIB 2020-02R4:

  In response to EASA SIB 2020-02R4 concerning operational recommendations of cabin and cockpit recirculation fans and installation of HEPA filters, you should reference and follow the published operating procedures and limitations noted within each respective Aircraft Flight Manual or Pilot Operating Handbook. You should also reference and follow the published guidance for maintenance and for approved cabin air filters noted in Chapter 21 of the applicable aircraft maintenance manual and illustrated parts catalog. Textron Aviation recommends using only approved filters as noted in the applicable technical publications and does not recommend installation of other filters outside of aircraft type design. Please contact your Field Service Representative or Product Support Hotline team for questions or more information.

• Travel and events

  We are assessing our participation in all remaining 2020 industry events and will share updates as they are available.

  As a company, we have limited all non-essential employee travel and group meetings. Textron Aviation employees who have traveled to areas of known exposure, or who have received notification from public health officials that they are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19, will be quarantined at home for 14 days before returning to work.

• Demonstration flight protocols

  Textron Aviation is focused on keeping our flight crews and customers safe while choosing the aircraft that best suits their mission. In order to ensure the utmost safety for all, extra precautions and protocols are now in place during each demonstration flight.

  New protocols include:

  • Extra precautions taken prior to takeoff, throughout flight and after landing.
  • These include aircraft sanitation, attendee screenings and the use of PPE.
  • Demonstrations will be scheduled for one customer group at a time.
  • Executive demonstrations do not allow for appropriate social distancing and must be acknowledged by all passengers.
  • Therefore, additional sanitation and PPE precautions are being taken to protect passengers and flight crews.
  • Pilot demonstrations require face masks be worn below 25,000 ft. altitude.
  • Additional time between demonstrations to clean and disinfect the aircraft.

  
  Anyone feeling ill is asked to stay home. All customers, vendors and guests must complete the Visitor Screening Form before entering campus.
• Important contact information

  If you need help, or if you have any questions, please reach out to your general manager or local service team, Parts and Distribution team, or 1CALL for AOG support, which remains fully operational and is available 24/7.

  Dial +1.316.517.2090 in the US or +49.211.454.9766 in the EU for 1CALL support.