Revolutionary lift technology on display at Dubai 2001

Dubai, UAE
For the first time in the Middle East Kentucky corporation, Strategic Technologies Inc (STI), will showcase its ground breaking product in the Middle East in conjunction with its regional partner, Dubai-based Knox Aeronautics and Tooling Company (KATC), headed by Managing Director, Sheikh Awad bin Mohammed al Mujurin.

The US company will demonstrate its unique self-contained hydraulic lifts - the LGH-2000(tm) and 2000SE(tm) - at the Dubai air show's home, Airport Expo Dubai from November 4-8.

"With a large section of the aviation industry running into financial turbulence the ability to lower both the price and turnaround time of aircraft maintenance is more important than ever before. Our products deliver this capability and Dubai 2001, being a trade only event, provides the perfect forum to raise regional awareness of STI and its products amongst key, decision makers from our specific target market," said Gregory S. Skaggs, Senior Vice President, STI.

The revolutionary LGH-2000(tm) and 2000SE(tm) replace the traditional time consuming and manpower intensive methods of performing landing gear and strut seal changes for most two-axle aircraft such as the B747, B757, B767 and DC8. Also, with modifications, the lift can be used on single or triple axle aircraft such as the B737, A320 and the B777.

The completely mobile device underwent testing by a US airline in the latter part of 1999. Using the LGH-2000(tm), the maintenance crew completed their task of changing 24 landing gear strut seals, the average number carried out on a single aircraft over a 12 month period, within under 40 man-hours as opposed to the traditional turn around time of 76 man-hours. This new technology reportedly resulted in savings in excess of US $128,000.

Additionally, the elapsed time to perform the task using STI's LGH-2000 was 6 hours as opposed to 10 hours with the conventional method. This resulted in additional savings by placing the aircraft in a 'flight ready' condition sooner.

"Apart from the time factor, using the LGH-2000(tm) also cuts back the allocation of human resources to landing gear maintenance as well as reducing costs. The testing airline bought both the LGH-2000(tm) and LGH-2000SE(tm) soon after. Less time, less manpower, less money. That is a very persuasive argument," said Skaggs.

STI, which specialises in the design, manufacturing and distribution of aircraft maintenance tooling, is currently researching the possibility of manufacturing some of the non-electrical parts of the LGH-2000(tm) series in Dubai.

"We are currently conducting talks with Sheikh Saad bin Sulieman al Khayyat of KATC concerning the feasibility of such a scheme and hope to resolve the issue soon," said Skaggs.

STI has also focused significant efforts towards establishing exclusive agents worldwide to effectively market the LGH-2000(tm) series on an international scale. KATC became the first company to partner with STI, being appointed as the exclusive agent for the Middle East and Africa.

Skaggs also stated that STI is presently in negotiations with another company for the Pacific Rim countries. "These negotiations have only recently begun, but have progressed in an extremely quick and seamless manner. We are very encouraged, at present, concerning the prospect of reaching a mutually beneficial outcome."

STI and its local partner, KATC, will conduct daily displays of the LGH-2000SE(tm) throughout Dubai 2001 at their stand. STI also said there is a possibility of a demonstration of their product with a local airline.

"When companies focusing on such specialised equipment as this decide to exhibit at Dubai 2001 it indicates that our efforts to cater to all elements of the aviation sector are bearing fruit. The Dubai air show is a conduit between aerospace companies and aviation decision makers," said Clive Richardson, CEO, Fairs and Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai 2001.

To date, 10 national pavilions have been confirmed for the air show, including the first time participation by an official Swedish pavilion, mounted by the Swedish Civil Aviation Group (SCAG). The show has exhibitors from 35 countries.