GA Telesis and aircraft leasing and air cargo company Air Transport Services Group have entered into a joint venture to build a GA Telesis specialised procedures aero engine hospital (SPAH) in Central or Midwest USA.

The aero engine hospital will be capable of inducting more than 200 engines per year, and is planned to begin operations in the first quarter of 2022.

The exact location is under evaluation, although the joint venture partners said they were primarily considering a centralised location in the USA “with a strong interstate and airport network”.

The SPAH will target engines manufactured by General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, International Aero Engines and CFM International.

The grand opening for GA Telesis’ first SPAH, in Helsinki, Finland, is scheduled for 13 June. It features an integrated test cell capable of producing 100,000 lbs of thrust. A similar test cell is expected to be installed at the US SPAH.

“Prior to completion of our SPAH in Helsinki, we have had overwhelming demand for maintenance slots from our global customers,” said GA Telesis’ Engine Strategy Group president Russell Shelton. “This strategic partnership with ATSG will deliver a one-of-a-kind resource to jet engine owners and operators in North and South America, and the test cell will be a game changer.”

Air Transport Services Group president and CEO Rich Corrado said the company was “excited to join with GA Telesis to bring engine repair solutions to our portfolio of industry-leading aviation services”.