BIZ AV / Aircraft Refurbishment Watch the video here! Bombardier Photo with a twist The inspiration for a made-to-order business jet refurbishment is collaborative creativity, while the slimmer bottom line reflects the introduction of clever pre-fab components. By Jane Stanbury | Photos COURTESY of flying colours Editor’s Note: Is your corporate aircraft looking a little tired these days? Have you ever wondered what’s involved in a custom refurbishment? We invited Peterborough, Ont.-based Flying Colours Corp. to walk us through a project that illustrates the custom design process, with a twist. In the first installment of this two-part series, we learn how a made-to-order plan and pre-engineered components combine to create a stunning, high tech Global Express interior that is both faster and less costly to install. 52 SKIES Magazine | March/April 2017 s residual aircraft prices remain low, many owners are choosing to keep their existing airplane rather than upgrade to a newer model. Continued economic uncertainty, a fluctuating dollar, and a glut of inventory in both the new and pre-owned aircraft sectors has also dampened enthusiasm for new aircraft purchases. However, there is a silver lining, as owners and operators rec- ognize the opportunities presented by the increasingly sophisticated refurbishment and overhaul market. Savvy individuals understand the value of purchasing a well-priced pre-owned aircraft, conducting a full maintenance A review, and giving the cabin a facelift through the installation of a customized interior to satisfy their specific mission. Innovations in the business jet interior sec- tor continue to move at the speed of tech- nology. In-flight entertainment and con- nectivity solutions are beginning to reflect offerings on the ground; while a mounting range of soft materials, leathers, wood veneers, and contemporary compounds such as carbon fibre, or millimetre-thin stone veneers, are being cleverly amalgamated to create striking and unique cabins. Add to this the growing number of design houses and brands—for example Hermes, Alberto Pinto, BMW, and