04 Oct 1st ARTS order: Installation of cargo door
At the turn of the millennium, Gerald Unger founded ARTS in order to be able to work flexibly as a project manager for structural mechanics in aviation. Shortly after founding the company, he received his first order. For the second freighter conversion of an Airbus A310 MRT ever carried out, he was responsible for installing the cargo door and travelled to Hamburg with the first two ARTS employees.
On Point
We expanded our service portfolio, gained more and more customers within the industry and are now a major player in the aviation segment.
Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg was faced with the challenge of converting the civil Airbus A310 into a Multi Role Transporter (MRT). At the time, this aircraft type was being converted for the first time into a multi-role aircraft with the possibility of operating a flying hospital.
The first prototype for this passenger-to-freighter (P2F) mission was taken over by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH in Dresden.
Structural reinforcement is essential for a cargo aircraft, so that the load of the cargo door can be lifted. The installation of the cargo door was not to be underestimated, especially since the freighter conversion of a used machine was not yet been carried out frequently. In addition, a freighter conversion is usually unique, as there are always individual construction stages or older design changes in civil aircraft which a designer usually does not know during the conception phase. Since ARTS founder Gerald Unger already gained experience with the first P2F A310 MRT during his work at EFW where he developed individual solution concepts for the initial construction, he was more than qualified for this challenge.
Job preparation
There was already a freighter conversion for this aircraft type, but there was no pre-defined procedure and still too little experience. As Gerald Unger and 2 ARTS colleagues were able to contribute their project experience from the first retrofit, ARTS supported the work and project planning in advance and structured all necessary activities in such a way that all modifications could be safely completed within the planned six-month layover period.
In the early planning phase, you could already see that additional structural mechanics were needed in order to be able to finish the conversion in section 13/14 in time. ARTS knew exactly who would be the right candidates for the team and was able to win them over as employees for this project.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Reduction of MRO costs
refurbished A380 aircraft seats
Countries worldwide have a dedicated ARTS aircraft maintenance consultant
When I founded my company at that time, my goal was to be able to plan projects independently and flexibly and to complete my studies at the same time. However, the customer requirements showed me the potential behind the project business, so that the development of the company came to the fore for me. This assignment was the kick-off of an exciting journey for ARTS that is still going on. This was followed by many other projects within the aviation industry. After the P2F A310 MRT project, my team and I moved on to Airbus in Hamburg, Manching and finally to Toulouse. More and more colleagues came on board. Together as a team we supported our customers in exciting projects of new developments and prototypes.
This first project was the kick-off of an exciting journey for ARTS that is still going on. It was followed by many other projects within the aviation industry. After the P2F A310 MRT project, the small ARTS team moved on to Airbus in Hamburg, followed by Manching near Munich and finally to Toulouse, France. More and more colleagues joined ARTS. Together as a team, ARTS supported its customers in exciting development and prototypes projects.
From the Airbus A340-500, -600, A330NEO, A320NEO to the challenges of the A380 production up to the support during the prototyping of the A350; ARTS actively participated in a huge variety of projects and in the turn of time for numerous aerospace customers.