For the last five months it’s been a training bonanza at the Dean Baldwin Painting’s Peru, IN facility.
Since April, the runway has been closed for repairs and resurfacing preventing aircraft from arriving for painting services at the, 159,000 Sq. Ft painting facility located on the Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base airport (GUS). The airport is owned and operated by USAF and is also home to the 434 Aerial Fueling Reserve Wing.
Even as the airport is closed the employees are making great use of the non-aircraft time for extensive training with the objective to use the five-month period to advance the skills of the experienced workforce and train the over 45 newly hired employees. The new less experienced employees are trained in the essentials of the aircraft painting process and will develop skills such as aircraft masking, sanding, aircraft washing, equipment operations, as well as safety necessities and the proper use of PPE. The new prep employees will have the opportunity to practice their skills on demo aircraft and training aids.
The more seasoned employees are learning new processes and gaining OJT that will allow them to advance to higher pay grade levels within the established DBP Career Progression program. When the runway and facility open in September, employees will have spent many hours using training aids, including a DC9 decommissioned aircraft to practice skills. Paint manufacturers, Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings and PPG Aerospace Coatings also took part by providing training encompassing the most current painting processes from pre-treat application and priming to topcoat application techniques. PPG Aerospace Coatings also conducted simulated painting using a Virtual Paint booth. Employees were scored on their performance and the top scorers received award certificates.
Don’t forget to watch our exceptional team in action:
ABOUT DEAN BALDWIN PAINTING, LP:
For over 58 years Dean Baldwin Painting LP. has been setting a high standard for aircraft painting and customer service by continually providing the best aircraft refinishing services in the aviation industry. With a reputation for value and integrity, the company has built lasting customer relationships throughout the aviation industry. In addition to excellent aircraft painting, the trained and experienced staff of 350 professionals provide other services that include flight control balancing, minor maintenance, service checks, aircraft weigh and custom liveries. The company services approximately 300 aircraft each year at its’ four locations; Roswell, NM; Peru, IN, Macon, GA and Goodyear, AZ. utilizing 14 bays. The company can services aircraft as large as the B747 size aircraft. Dean Baldwin Painting LP is a woman-minority owned, independent, aircraft painting company.
