Our story

Our Story — Built by Engineers, Guided by Family

ACS began at Southend Airport in 2002, founded by lifetime aircraft engineer and respected industry figure Jonathan Jacques. What started as a small shop for wheels, brakes, windscreens and other simple systems has grown—deliberately, step by step—into a multi-discipline maintenance partner spanning landing gear, hydraulics, avionics, power generation, emergency equipment and more. Today, we’re scaling for the next generation while keeping the same engineer-led DNA— now guided alongside James Jacques, an experienced, licensed aircraft engineer.

"Certified, compliant, and trusted by the aviation industry."

We hold full approvals from aviation authorities and manufacturers, giving you complete confidence in our work.

Our capability list is comprised of over 2,500 line items. To us it’s more of a register of our previously maintained parts than it is a list of what we can do. We have the ability to add items at a moment notice, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than further developing our capability.

All our certificates and authorisations are available to view or download.

2002

Southend Beginnings

Founded by Jonathan Jacques. Initial focus on wheels, brakes, windscreens and core inspections.

2005

Tooling & Electrics

Introduced tooling and light electrical work (lights, rain protection systems).

2007

Batteries at Scale

Battery overhaul, CAP check & repair became a major workstream.

2009

More Space, More Capability

Gained additional workshops at Southend, enabling a dedicated machine & engineering shop.

2010

Undercarriage Overhauls

Began overhaul services for light-aircraft landing gear.

2012

Flight Controls

Flight-control repair established as a prominent capability.

2015

Shoeburyness Move

Relocated to Shoeburyness (still an active site). Added a hydrostatic test facility.

2016

Electrical & Emergency Equipment

Opened a dedicated electrical shop and began emergency equipment services.

2017

Second Shoeburyness site

Expanded again; relocated the electrical shop for capacity and created a dedicated emergency equipment shop.

2019

Heavy Maintenance

Completed our first heavy-aircraft landing gear overhaul.

2023

Succession Starts

Jonathan’s son, James Jacques—an experienced, licensed aircraft engineer—joined to begin next-generation leadership and succession.

2024

Expansion and Change

Outgrew existing facilities; acquired another Shoeburyness site and began renovations. In November 2024, due to declining health, Jonathan sadly passed—a difficult moment for ACS and a shock to the British Aircraft Maintenance Community.

2025

New Landing-Gear hub & Engine Approval

22 Towerfield Road approved as our dedicated landing gear systems workshop. Gained EASA Part-145 B Engine Maintenance approval, following development of our engine maintenance workshop at Southend Airport.

2026

Expansion, Rebrand, and Beyond

Brand refresh and capacity growth. Launching a customer maintenance portal, and expanding engine maintenance, undercarriage workshops, and complex systems capability.

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