Spirit AeroSystems Aftermarket Customer Support Joint Venture Taikoo Spirit Receives EASA Certification

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 10, 2012 /CNW/ - On March 21, 2012, Taikoo Spirit AeroSystems (Jinjiang) Composite Co. Ltd. (short name as Taikoo Spirit) received EASA certification for inspection, repair and overhaul of various thrust reversers, flight controls and other composite components. This certification is in addition to existing CAAC and FAA certifications. Located in Jinjiang, China, Taikoo Spirit is a joint venture between Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd (HAECO), and Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. as primary shareholders. Other shareholders include China Airlines Ltd, Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd (TAECO), Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Quanzhou Export Processing Zone Investment Management Co., Ltd (EPZ).

"Spirit and our collaborators are committed to building the capabilities of Taikoo Spirit to serve the Asia Pacific and global markets and EASA certification is the latest step in building a world class MRO facility," said Mike Williams, VP/GM of Spirit Aftermarket Customer Support. "As part of our global MRO network, Taikoo Spirit continues to grow and expand to meet ever increasing demand from customers across the globe."

Taikoo Spirit currently provides repair, manufacture and after-sale services to support both narrow and wide body aircraft on Boeing and Airbus composite components in P.R. China and the Asia Pacific region.

On the web: www.spiritaero.com/aftermarket

About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR), with headquarters in Wichita, Kan., USA, is one of the world's largest non-OEM designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial aircraft. In addition to its Wichita and Chanute facilities in Kansas, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla.; Kinston, N.C.; Prestwick, Scotland; Preston, England; Subang, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France. In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus.

About Taikoo Spirit
Taikoo Spirit commenced operations in November 2009 and is a state-of-the-art 17,000 sqm composite and metal bond component repair station. The facility was purpose built with brand-new high quality equipment, such as PAA Line, clean room (bond room), two paint booths, two autoclaves, etc, and designed to process the largest thrust reverser components (i.e. B777 GE90 T/R). Furthermore the facility is self-sufficient in all key processes.

Taikoo Spirit is CAAC, EASA and FAA approved for Inspection, Repair and Overhaul of various Thrust Reversers (such as B737 CFM56-7 T/R, B777 GE90 (90/94/115), Trent800 and PW4000 T/R, B747/B767 PW4000 and CF6-80C2 T/R, A330 T700 N/C), Flight Controls and other composite components. Furthermore, Taikoo Spirit is authorized to carry out NDT, Painting, Surface Treatment and Welding. Taikoo Spirit is also developing its service scope to different aircraft types with the following components: Radome, Nose Cowls, Fan Cowls, Engine Fairing, etc. More information can be found here: http://www.taikoospirit.com

SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems

Ken Evans, Corporate Communications, [phone]

http://www.spiritaero.com