FAQs

Yes. We quote many services on a flat rate basis. Some things, however, require an inspection. For example, bodywork hidden under the paint, corrosion removal or other hidden damage.

It takes fifteen working days to paint the average aircraft. Extra colours and modifications may add to the time line. Additional services such as maintenance and interior work may also extend the delivery date, but it makes sense to do as much as possible in one visit to Sky Harbour.

Yes. We are a “one stop shop.” See available services.
Maintenance and Avionics
Interior and Cabinetry

Upon arrival at our facility, you need to have with you:

• A cheque for half of the quoted price.
• Your aircraft journey log and aircraft key.
• Photocopies of any decals or logos you would like on your aircraft.
• Any pictures or diagrams of a proposed paint scheme.
• If it is a Canadian commercially registered aircraft, we will require instructions on maintenance procedures in accordance with your maintenance control manual.

If we do not already have manuals for your aircraft, we will require unlimited access to the maintenance manuals for your aircraft to obtain information such as control balance requirement and you may either bring the manuals with the aircraft or enable us to obtain fax extracts at our request. By forwarding your slot deposit you are specifically agreeing to this condition.

We ask that you bring your aircraft in as light as possible. It may be necessary to drain the fuel because of leakage through the seams under the belly and wings, causing major paint problems. If this situation arises, you may or may not be notified.

Canada Customs

Customs service in Goderich is available during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. As Goderich is a CANPASS airport (Customs not on the field), pilots must communicate directly with Canada Customs at 1-800-265-6233, prior to departure from the United States. At least one hour’s notice is required. Upon arrival in Goderich, pilots are required to call the 1-800 number, again, to confirm arrival. Customs Inspectors come to the airport only on a random spot check basis.

Returning Home

Our company has access to a Cherokee 140 and Aztec, which is usually available for picking up crews and delivering pilots when airplanes are either incoming or finished. This service is available at standard charter rates and it is necessary to request the use of this service in advance to ensure accommodation.

We also have drivers who are available to pick up crews at London or Toronto airports, or another suggested place. Charges for this service vary depending on the distance.

It is hand cleaned with all possible fairings associated inspection plates and controls removed for painting.

Any corrosion found on the aircraft is appropriately removed. The surface is washed with a metal preparation solution and the metal is then treated with a corrosion inhibiting conversion coating.

All composite parts are cleaned and sanded prior to painting and then primed with a filler primer to eliminate pinholes.

All required bodywork is completed.

If required or requested, the seams are aerodynamically sealed with a seam seal compound.

Upon completion of the preparatory work, the aircraft is primed using an epoxy filiform resistant primer and painted with a full polyurethane topcoat.

Any metallic colours used are clear coated for lasting protection. If the metallic stripe is the third colour, the additional colour charge of $800.00 US will also be applicable.

The controls are removed, checked for balance and reinstalled. Any necessary adjustments will be made, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, on a time and materials basis.

The de-ice boots are resealed with a sealing compound and if requested as an option, erosion boots are formed with the sealing compound on erosion prone areas (ie. wing tips, tail tips, wing roots).

Aircraft 2 Year Warranty

Sky Harbour Aircraft will touch up or refinish any part of the exterior finish found to be defective in material or workmanship by Sky Harbour Aircraft without charge to the customer.

This warranty does not cover any of the following:

Normal wear and tear;

Misuse, abuse, accident or negligence by the customer;

Corrosion;

Repairs shall be carried out only at Sky Harbour Aircraft unless designated otherwise.

This warranty is void if the airplane is abused or tampered with or repairs are attempted by anyone other than Sky Harbour Aircraft or its designee.

The express warranty obligations set forth herein shall be the sole exclusive remedy of the customers and are limited to the repair of the defective area or part. Sky Harbour Aircraft will not be liable for the consequential damages sustained in connection with the work performed. The implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are expressly excepted.

Yes. All controls are removed before the aircraft is stripped along with the engine cowls and inspection panels. They are then cleaned, etched, corrosion inhibited and painted. The balance is then checked against the manufacturers specifications and if necessary, adjusted. The check is included in the quoted paint price.

Yes. We are an approved maintenance organization under the supervision of Transport Canada and have a full engineering staff. The Federal Aviation Administration recognizes our procedures as meeting U.S. requirements.

We will use whatever you like. We suggest a full polyurethane top coat for the major colour, usually white. The accent colours can also be a polyurethane or, for a wider colour selection an acrylic urethane which includes metallic colours. The two best general aviation paints on the market are, in our opinion, U.S. Paint’s Awlgrip and Sherwin Williams’ Jet Glo and Acryglo. The primer we use is a filiform resistant epoxy.

You can choose colours and designs when you deliver your airplane. However, we understand that our customers are very busy, or may appreciate more time to decide, so we suggest that you contact our Computer Design department, via e-mail, prior to your arrival describing the design and schemes you want, and we can do all or some of the design work ahead of time.

Ground or air transportation is available upon request at a reasonable rate.

There is no duty or tax applicable to work carried out in Canada for U.S. customers. However, you must report to U.S. customs after picking up your aircraft. All corporate owned A/C require brokerage papers. We provide a customs broker if necessary and complete all paperwork on your behalf for a nominal fee.

No. When you strip all the paint off and repaint there is no appreciable change in weight. An adjustment to the weight and balance is unnecessary. We offer weighing services if you wish.

Paint is made up of solvents and solids. It is the solvent that is the carrier of the pigments, resins and additives. The solvents evaporate upon application and the total weight applied to the aircraft is less than 4 pounds per gallon of paint used. A Citation SII will use 10 to 12 gallons of paint.

Yes, we do. Over the past several years there has been an increased emphasis to use more environmentally friendly products. It is the solvents in paint that escape into the air and by increasing the concentration of solids, the resins and pigment, you can reduce the amount of solvent. The result is less overspray in the air, more paint going onto the aircraft and a harder finish.

The cost is higher per gallon and it is more difficult to achieve the same gloss as with conventional paint.

Each manufacturer outlines how the magnesium must be treated if the metal is exposed to the air. Because corrosion sets in so quickly we clean the surfaces in one day, treat them in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements, place them in a hot box for the night to ensure all moisture is evaporated and prime them the following morning. This leaves the metal exposed for less than 24 hours.

Paint Care and Maintenance

It is difficult for dirt, grime and grease to adhere to our topcoat. However, over time, a build up of dirt, grease and other contaminants can cause the finish to appear dull. The mirror-like gloss can be easily maintained by following these simple rules.

DO

1. Regular cleaning will avoid build up of dirt, grease, and other contaminants which can slowly cause premature aging of your topcoat. This premature aging can cause the finish to appear dull.

2. Wash the surface regularly with fresh water and a mild detergent, which does not contain alkalies, acids, or abrasives.

3. When washing, it is important to keep the surface wet to prevent the detergent from drying on the surface. Use soft, non-abrasive cloths, sponges or washing mitts when washing.

4. Thoroughly rinse all surfaces with fresh water after washing to remove all detergent residue. A water softener is recommended to eliminate hard water residue. Wiping the surface dry with a chamois or soft cotton towel is recommended.

5. Solvents such as toluene, lacquer thinner, M.E.K., acetone, or kerosene may be used to soften or remove heavy build ups of grease and grime, felt tip markings, or aerosol spray paint on the topcoat.

6. When using solvents to remove stains, test an inconspicuous area first. Apply cleaning solvents with soft clean cloths. Wipe up solvent quickly. Do not allow solvent to dry on the surface or puddle and soak into the surface. After the use of solvents, wash these areas with a mild detergent and water to remove any residue.

7. Always thoroughly rinse all surfaces with fresh water after cleaning with detergents or solvents. Latent solvent residue can attack the topcoat, while the wash down residue will attract dirt.

DO NOT

1. Do not use traditional waxes. General: Traditional waxes break down rapidly. The residue can cause the topcoat to appear yellow, plus it attracts dirt. This creates the need to maintain the wax, increasing overall maintenance. Traditional waxes which contain no abrasives probably do little harm to the coating, but offer no benefit.

2. Do not use abrasives, scratch pads, or compounds. Scratching the surface gives dirt a place to cling while wearing out the resin layer. Using abrasives of any kind will reduce the overall life of the finish and voids the limited warranty.

3. Do not use acrylic Teflon coatings over the finish. Use of these coatings voids the limited warranty.