"HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Timco Aviation Services Inc. will establish its first Pennsylvania engine maintenance operation at a 75,000-square-foot facility at the Pittsburgh International Airport, officials announced yesterday. The company will create at least 200 jobs over the next five years.Pennsylvania has offered the company a $1.15 million financial package as an incentive, according to Gov. Edward G. Rendell. The incentive package includes a $250,000 Opportunity Grant, $300,000 in Job Training Assistance and $600,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits. The company is also eligible to apply for a $5 million loan through the Citizens Bank Job Bank program."We're very pleased to be opening our new engine center in Pittsburgh and appreciate the support we have received from state, local and airport authorities," said Roy Rimmer, chairman and chief executive officer of Timco, which is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. "This facility is ideal because it offers on-ramp access, close proximity to major roadways and a pre-built ready-to-launch 120,000 pound engine test cell for conducting performance and recertification tests."The new CFM56 engine center eventually will employ approximately 200. The 75,000 square-foot center, scheduled to begin operations in early 2006, will offer off-wing maintenance, repair and overhaul services on CFM56-3 series engines, as well as on-wing support services for all CFM56 series engines. The CFM56 engine powers more than 5,800 aircraft worldwide (2,380 of which are used by airlines flying in North America), constituting about 31.7% of the current commercial airline fleet, including the Boeing 737, the Airbus A319, A320, A321 and A340, and the re-engined DC-8 and KC135.Timco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roy T. Rimmer, Jr. stated, "With the maturing of CFM56 engines being used in North America, our new engine center in Pittsburgh will be well positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for the overhaul and repair of this popular engine," said Roy T. Rimmer Jr., Timco chairman and CEO. "The center will initially offer teardown and inspection work on CFM56 engines, with full shop capabilities for CFM56-3 series engines expected to be in operation by mid-2006. Over the next two years, Timco will expand the center's capabilities to include all CFM56 series engines. The facility at Pittsburgh International Airport offers several advantages, including on-wing ramp access, close proximity to major roadways, and a pre-built, ready-to-launch 120,000-pound engine test cell for conducting performance and recertification tests."Timco President and Chief Operating Officer Gil West stated, "For the past 10 years, our engine center in Oscoda, Mich., has been a leader in providing on- wing support and maintenance, repair and overhaul services for JT8D engines, as well as on-wing support for CFM56 through a partnering arrangement," added Gil West, president and chief operating officer. "Our Oscoda facility will continue to perform MRO services on JT8D engines and we believe that supplementing those capabilities with full CFM56 repair and overhaul capability is a logical next step in the expansion of our engine operations."In addition to airframe heavy maintenance, Timko provides engine component and flight control repair, overhaul and engineering services. The company has nearly 4,000 employees at sites throughout the United States.Visit Timco Aviation Services Inc.: www.timco.aero"