Overview
In the southeastern corner of Kansas, Sabreliner's engine accessory and fuel control facility is located near the municipal airport in Independence, Kan. This modern facility was opened in 1987 for the repair and overhaul of engine accessories, and Sabreliner acquired it along with another facility in 1992. Under Sabreliner ownership Independence has continued to perform both commercial and military accessory repair, with an emphasis on engine fuel controls.

Primary Capabilities and Specialties
Turbine engine accessory inspection, repair, overhaul and testing

Specialization in fuel system components including fuel controls and fuel pumps

Repair and overhaul of aviation-quality actuators, servos, and other hydraulic/mechanical components that are not strictly engine-related

Product-Specific Qualifications, Experience, and Proven Performance
Main fuel controls for J85 (including T63 and T703 afterburner), T53, and Rolls-Royce Model 250 engines, including

Wide variety of other military engine accessories (for a complete listing of accessory types, click here)

UH-60 (Blackhawk) servo repair and overhaul

Floor Space Under Roof
Approximately 25,000 square feet

Machinery, Equipment, and Tools
Independence operates approximately 30 calibrated flow and test benches which provide thorough and accurate adjustment and final testing capabilities for the accessories they service. These test benches include, among others:

• Driven flow benches with up to 100 horsepower for fuel controls, fuel pumps, governors, and power units
• Non-driven flow benches for fuel controls, valves, nozzles, and spray bars
• Oil pump testers with variable flow and temperature capability
• Actuator test benches for liquid and screw actuators
• Environmental test benches for low and high temperatures

In general, the test benches are constructed in modular fashion and with a high degree of adjustability. They readily can be adapted and recalibrated to test accessories from engines on which Independence has not previously worked.

Assembly of critical components is performed in a clean room controlled per MIL-STD-209C.

The Independence facility possesses general shop machinery including mills, lathes, grinders, and drills.

Welding equipment is available for TIG and spot-welding processes.

Independence is equipped for standard cleaning processes including pressure blast, ultrasonic cleaning, and vapor degreasing.

All necessary inspection equipment and tools are in place at Independence. Dimensional inspection is accomplished using precision gauges and hand-held measuring devices that routinely are calibrated in conformance with ANSI Z540 and ISO 10012 by the in-house metrology lab. Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) equipment is available on-site for fluorescent penetrant, magnetic particle, and radiographic (x-ray) inspection processes.

Personnel
The technician work force has skills in all phases of accessory repair, including disassembly/assembly; cleaning; machining; and, especially, inspection, NDI, and bench testing. Their training, experience, and work ethic suit them perfectly for the performance of quick-turnaround overhauls often required in the accessory market, and for high-volume production efforts as well.

Quality Assurance Systems and Certifications

Government Property Control System
Independence operates under an approved Government Property Control Manual. The property system is fully compliant with FAR Part 45.5 and DFARS Part 245, and is periodically reviewed by Defense Contract Management Command Wichita.

Purchasing System
Procurement for Independence operations is performed by Sabreliner's centralized Purchasing Department in St. Louis. The purchasing system and procedures periodically are reviewed and approved by Defense Contract Management Command St. Louis.

Environmental Compliance
The Independence facility operates in compliance with all Federal, state, and local environmental requirements. An approved Integrated Environmental Response Plan that meets these requirements is in place at Independence. The Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Regulations, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations are among the major Federal regulations with which the facility complies.