SHANGHAI, China - GE - Aviation has opened a new China Operations Center (CHOC) here to provide dedicated customer and product support for the country's growing aviation market. The Center officially began 24-hour, seven day a week operations on August 10.
"There are more than 1,600 GE and CFM56 engines in service in China. With the opening of the China Operations Center, we now support that fleet locally," said Tony Aiello, general manager of Customer and Product Support for GE - Aviation. "The Center is staffed by highly trained Chinese nationals who bring a wealth of technical expertise to the role and eliminate any potential language barriers. We're offering a menu of services that translates to a 'one-stop shop' and even better support for our customers including OnPointSM Diagnostics."
The CHOC mirrors the Customer Support Center based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and supports all GE and CFM56* engine models. In addition to technical line and shop maintenance support, the CHOC also provides expanded services such as in-country technical and spare part AOG (aircraft on the ground) support, lease engine dispatch, and fleet data management, as well as enhanced support for smaller operators. The center integrates engine diagnostics (health monitoring) with the product support elements to develop proactive solutions to fleet issues.
"This new center is a logical extension of GE's support of our customers in China," said Mike Wilking, president, China Region, for GE - Aviation. "Coupled with the Spare Parts Service Center in Beijing, the Aero Engine Maintenance Training Center in Guanghan City, and the On Wing Support operations in Xiamen, GE is providing a comprehensive package that will help our customers continue to succeed in an increasingly competitive and dynamic industry."
Each of the nine Technical Support Engineers (TSEs) has extensive aviation experience within China and completed an intensive 15-week training program at the Customer Support Center, including immersion training and hands-on support experience.
GE - Aviation's OnPointSM Diagnostics program has two levels of services: Standard Diagnostics which is available without charge to all GE and CFM engine operators and customizable Comprehensive Diagnostics that includes engine trend reports to assist an operator with its regulatory reporting and engine exceedance and fault troubleshooting.
GE - Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. GE also is a world-leading provider of maintenance and support services for jet engines.
SM OnPoint is a service mark of General Electric Company
* CFM56 engines are produced by CFM international, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Snecma