Aircraft branding covers the graphics that identify an operator: tail logos, fuselage stripes, cabin-door lettering and the wider livery look. It also extends to the ground-support vehicles, tugs, baggage carts and hangar walls that carry the same brand on the apron.
This service is for charter operators, flight schools, aviation businesses and private owners who want a consistent visual identity, and who understand that anything applied to an aircraft is controlled by aviation rules, not only by design preference.
About this service
An aircraft is not a vehicle wrap project. Any film applied to the airframe has to suit the aircraft manufacturer’s requirements and the operator’s maintenance programme, and the work is coordinated with the operator and its approved aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO). In practice the AMO decides what may be applied, where, and with which approved material, and it signs off the aircraft afterwards. We do not hold aviation approvals ourselves. What we offer is to work with your AMO: preparing artwork, producing graphics to its specification and applying them under its direction, normally in a hangar it controls.
Graphics must not change or obscure the nationality and registration markings required by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), and must leave mandatory placards, access panels, static wicks, drain holes, vents, antennae, sensors and inspection areas clear. Any film used on the airframe has to be aviation-suitable and approved for that application. Depending on the area covered, the added mass may need to be assessed for weight and balance, and drainage, static and inspection considerations may also need review. Those assessments and sign-offs belong to the AMO.
Ground-side branding is simpler. Tugs, fuel bowsers, crew vans, baggage tractors and hangar doors or walls can be branded with vehicle and signage vinyl, subject to the airport or hangar owner’s access and safety rules. Installation location and access are arranged per project, as this work is carried out at your airport or hangar rather than at our Rivonia workshop.
Suitable vehicles and common uses
- Light aircraft operated by flight schools and clubs, with AMO approval
- Charter and business aircraft where the operator wants logo or stripe graphics
- Helicopters, subject to the operator’s and AMO’s requirements
- Aircraft tugs, baggage tractors and ground power units
- Crew vans, airside utility vehicles and fuel bowsers
- Hangar doors, walls and interior signage
- Aviation offices, reception areas and briefing rooms
Available options
- Tail, engine cowling or fuselage logo graphics, using approved aviation-suitable film specified or accepted by the AMO
- Cheatlines, stripes and accent graphics designed around the existing registration markings
- Cut lettering for operator names, subject to SACAA marking requirements and AMO approval
- Ground-support vehicle branding using vehicle vinyl, such as 3M or Avery Dennison film, subject to material availability
- Hangar door, wall and window graphics
- Interior wayfinding and safety-information signage for hangars and offices, where the content is supplied or approved by you
- Artwork and layout preparation for your AMO to review before any production
Options depend on the material available at the time of your project and on your vehicle. We confirm exactly what is possible in your quotation.
Why choose it
- One consistent identity across aircraft, ground equipment and buildings
- Graphics can often be changed later without a full repaint, subject to AMO procedures
- Artwork is planned around mandatory markings and access points from the start
- Your AMO stays in control of anything that touches the airframe
- Ground-side branding can be done without involving the aircraft at all
Things to consider
- Nothing goes on an aircraft without the operator’s and AMO’s approval, which can change scope or materials
- Only aviation-suitable films approved for the application may be used, which limits colour and finish choices
- Weight and balance, drainage, static and inspection requirements can restrict where graphics may sit
- Hangar time and airside access depend on the operator’s schedule and the airport’s rules
- Airframe graphics are subject to the manufacturer’s and maintenance requirements, so removal and replacement must also follow AMO procedures
Preparation and installation process
- Brief with operator and AMO. We meet you and, where the airframe is involved, your AMO to agree what may be applied, where, and with which approved materials. Ground-side items are scoped at the same time.
- Marking and access review. Using aircraft drawings or photos, we map registration markings, placards, panels, drains, vents and antennae so the artwork avoids them.
- Artwork for approval. Designs are laid out to scale and submitted to you and the AMO. Changes requested for weight, inspection or marking reasons are made before production.
- Production to specification. Graphics are produced only in the approved material. Ground-support and hangar graphics use the vinyl and laminate agreed for each surface.
- Installation under AMO direction. Airframe graphics are applied in the hangar under the AMO’s control and procedures. Vehicle and hangar signage is installed according to the site’s access and safety rules.
- Inspection and sign-off. We check edges and alignment, and the AMO carries out its own inspection and any required documentation before the aircraft returns to service.
What affects the price
- Whether the project covers the airframe, ground equipment, hangar signage or all three
- The approved aviation-suitable film specified for airframe work
- Size and number of graphics, and how complex the surfaces are
- Artwork preparation and the number of approval rounds with the operator and AMO
- Hangar or airside access conditions, including security clearance and escort requirements
- Removal of existing graphics, carried out according to AMO procedures
Every vehicle is different, so we quote each job individually. Your final quotation depends on the vehicle, the material, how much of the vehicle is covered, any artwork, and the condition of the paint once we have assessed it.
Turnaround
Timing depends on approvals more than on installation. The AMO’s review of artwork and materials, the availability of approved aviation-suitable film, hangar slots that fit around the aircraft’s maintenance and flight schedule, and airside access arrangements all affect when work can start. Ground-support vehicle and hangar signage can often be scheduled separately. Timing is confirmed with the quote once scope, approvals and access are clear.
Care and maintenance
- Follow your AMO’s cleaning and inspection procedures for airframe graphics
- Use only aircraft cleaning products that the AMO accepts for the film and surrounding surfaces
- Report lifting edges or damage on airframe graphics to the AMO before the next flight
- Wash ground-support vehicles by hand where possible and keep pressure washers away from edges
- Keep hangar wall graphics clear of forklift and tug traffic where practical
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a logo on my aircraft without involving the maintenance organisation?
No. Anything applied to the airframe has to be approved by the operator and its AMO, which also signs the aircraft off afterwards. We are happy to coordinate with your AMO, but we do not proceed without it.
Can graphics cover or restyle the registration letters?
Graphics must not alter or obscure the nationality and registration markings the SACAA requires. Designs are planned around those markings, and the AMO confirms that they remain compliant.
Do you hold aviation approvals?
We do not claim any aviation approvals. Airframe work is carried out under the direction and approval of your AMO, using film it accepts for the application.
Can you brand our ground-support vehicles and hangar now, and the aircraft later?
Yes. Ground-side branding does not depend on aircraft approvals, so it can go ahead first. We keep the artwork files so airframe graphics can match when they are approved.
Where is the work done?
At your airport, hangar or apron, not at our Rivonia workshop. Installation location, airside access and any security requirements are arranged per project with you and the site owner.
Areas we serve
Customers bring their vehicles to our workshop in Rivonia, Sandton from across Gauteng. All installations take place at the workshop.
