Chapman Freeborn, part of Avia Solutions Group, has successfully supported Leonardo Aircraft during a complex, multi-location M-346 demonstration tour across the United States and Canada.
The three-month operation ran from September to November, spanning 11 air show locations and requiring extensive coordination of personnel, equipment, and aircraft logistics across multiple regions.
The demonstrations formed part of a wider agreement with a U.S. manufacturer in support of supplying new aircraft for a government contract. Two aircraft were involved in the operation and supported by Chapman Freeborn’s Flight Support team: the M-346, a two-seat platform that served as the primary demonstration aircraft, and the C-27J, which was used to transport demonstration personnel and essential equipment throughout the tour.
End-to-end logistical services
Chapman Freeborn’s Flight Support team delivered end-to-end operational and logistical services across all locations, display airfields and alternate airfields.
During the initial setup phase, the Flight Support team was responsible for arranging all pre-flight operations, including ground handling, hotel accommodation (HOTAC), crew transportation, and daily aircraft displays to U.S. Government stakeholders. This involved ensuring that each location could fully support the clients operational and presentation requirements.
Through proactive and detailed planning, the team ensured that all aspects of ground handling for this highly complex operation were in place. This included the provision of liquid oxygen, now a rarity in modern flight operations, for the C-27J at every demonstration airfield across the United States and last-minute request for a Canada demonstration. In parallel, the team arranged and coordinated, with the assistance of the Chapman Freeborn USA office, dedicated ground transport to accompany the tour throughout the U.S. for oversized support equipment that could not be loaded onto the C-27J.
Overcoming complexities
Managing an operation of this scale and complexity presented significant challenges, requiring the team to rely on clear, consistent communication to ensure effective delivery throughout the tour. The Flight Support team was responsible for coordinating large numbers of personnel with varied operational and welfare requirements, while synchronising crew movements, equipment logistics, and fuel availability across multiple airports and time zones.
The team managed a broad range of stakeholders, including Leonardo and its end clients, ensuring operational consistency and service continuity throughout the September to November demonstration period. This required careful planning, adaptability, and the effective application of the team’s operational expertise, particularly given the considerable scale of personnel logistics involved.
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