From Boeing’s decision to build a final assembly facility for the 787 in Charleston to Lockheed Martin’s choosing Greenville for final assembly of the F-16 Block 70, South Carolina continues to prove that it is a leader in supporting the global aviation industry. SC Aerospace was established by the SC Competitiveness Council to provide statewide support of Aviation.
Greenville has long been an advanced manufacturing center, and for aviation specifically, our companies in addition to Lockheed Martin include Honeywell, GE Aviation, Michelin Aircraft Tires and Solvay Cytec Carbon Fibers. Areas of specialization include the aircraft turbine business as well as the area of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) also known as Aircraft Inspection, Maintenance and Safety (AIMS). With major aircraft manufacturers located in the Greenville area, and three airports (GMU for general aviation, GSP for commercial and cargo flights, and GYH for industrial) within 20 miles of each other, Greenville, SC remains well positioned for future growth.
SCTAC (South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center/Donaldson Field) (GYH)
SCTAC is now Upstate South Carolina’s premiere Air and Technology Park. Located seven miles south from Downtown Greenville, SC, along the I-85 corridor, the park encompasses 2,600 acres and features an 8,000 foot runway. This substantial environment benefits more than 110 on-site businesses such as 3M, Solvay Cytec Carbon Fibers, Lockheed Martin, Michelin and Stevens Aviation.
- FAA Part 139 Airport Certification
- FAA Contract Air Traffic Control Tower
- Fire Department -ISO Class 2-certified
- Category 1 Instrument Landing System
Site, Parcel A (Aviation District)
- Approx. 180 acres
- Access to 8,000 foot primary runway
- I-1 Zoning
- Sub dividable
- Flat topography
- All utilities on-site
Specialized Project Financing Options
- Build-to-suit financing
- Airport Revenue bonding capabilities
- Leveraging with federal programs to diminish project costs
- New Market Tax Credits
- EB-5
- Opportunity Zone
Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU)
Greenville Downtown Airport is South Carolina’s busiest general aviation airport, providing a corporate gateway into the Upstate region. Services at GMU include:
- Aircraft Management Services
- Air Charter and Air Taxi Services
- Sales, Maintenance, Interiors and Detailing
- Aircraft Rental and Flight Instruction
- Development Ready Sites Available
Engineering & Manufacturing
ACL Airshop – Provides equipment and services to the air cargo sector worldwide at more than 50 airports, with a new factory in Greenville.
Aeronautica LLC – Engineering, Certification
Avenger Aerospace – Engineering, Certification, and Manufacturing Services
BMI Corporation – Aerodynamics (Computational Fluid Dynamics, Wind Tunnel Testing, Straight Line Testing), Design and Manufacturing
GE Aviation – Jet Engine High Pressure Turbine Blades
Honeywell – Aircraft and Helicopter Engines
KTM Solutions – “On Demand” engineering services
Lockheed Martin – Military Aircraft Manufacturing
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul
Action Research Corporation (ARC) / ARC Products, Inc. – FAA Repair Station / Assembly
Applied Tech Services, Inc. – FAA Repair Station for Engine Components
Lockheed Martin – Commercial and Military Aircraft Maintenance and Modification
Southern Air Repair – FAA Repair Station / Component repair
Stevens Aviation – (GYH Location) Phase Inspections, Special Inspections, Overhauls, Heavy Maintenance and Warranty, Dallas Airmotive Warranty, Heavy Structural Repairs, Engine Modifications, Winglet Modifications
Paint / Coating
Stevens Aviation (GYH Location) – Paint Refurbishment, Complete Strip and Repaint, Flight Control Removal and Balance, Registration Number Changes, Restripe Fuselage, Corrosion Inhibitor, Coating Application, Aircraft Detailing
Hentzen Coatings – Coatings
Roy Metal Finishing – Coatings
Carbon Fiber
Solvay Cytec – Carbon Fiber / Aircraft Components
SAATI Americas – Carbon Fiber / Aircraft Components
Other
Adex Machining – Machined Components
FSC Cutting Tool Technology – Specialized cutting tools
Michelin – Aircraft Tires
NextGen Supply Chain Integrators – Quality Management Systems – Certification Assistance and Training in ISO9001 / AS9100 / TS16949 / Lean Six Sigma
Ranger Aerospace – Provides aviation services and aerospace/defense support operations
Woven Electronics – Electronic Cabling
Greenville Technical College
The Greenville Technical College Aircraft Maintenance Program is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Veterans Administration and provides students with the technical, mechanical and academic skills needed to become aircraft maintenance technicians. The program is now housed at SC-TAC in the new Greenville Readiness Center.
Greenville Technical College’s partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University allows gives students access to expanded opportunities in the aviation field. Bachelor’s degrees in Aviation Maintenance Management, Professional Aeronautics, and Technical Management allow students to begin at Greenville Technical College and finish at Embry-Riddle.
Associate Degree offered in Applied Science
Certificates offered in Applied Science
- Aviation Powerplant Theory / Systems
- Aviation Airframe Structure/Systems
- Aviation Fundamentals
- Avionics
Other Educational Resources
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- USAeroFlight
- Carolina Aeronautical Testing and Certification Center
GE Aviation Case Study
GE Aviation Greenville produces high pressure turbine (HPT) blades for commercial aircraft engines used to power many Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Technological advancements in the new facility allow for a reduction in turbine blade production time by 50 percent. This increase in efficiency will help the Greenville facility prepare for an expected 40 percent growth in volume this year. This is largely contributed to the integration of GE’s GEnx engines with Boeing’s upcoming 787 Dreamliner.
Learn more about Greenville’s industries.
Feel free to reach out to GADC for more information, or learn more about local industries.
