When electronic flight bags (EFBs) were introduced a decade ago, they were little more than small, portable, cool tools that displayed navigation charts. But now that EFBs have evolved into multi-purpose, installed systems that can enhance safety of flight and operational efficiencies, they are a growing source of new retrofit business for MROs. Prompting this was an FAA initiative that encouraged more operators to consider EFBs for the first time.

On Nov. 8, 2005, Congress, acting on the recommendation of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), authorized the closure of 22 major military bases in the United States by no later than Sept. 15, 2011. Those are in addition to 97 base closures approved under the four previous BRAC rounds, which took place in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995.

United Services launched its line maintenance network in August, essentially leveraging its brand through a network of independent line service specialists. "We did not want to take the risk of establishing joint ventures, or own and staff new locations to grow our line service business," said Alan Butterfield, the company's vice president for line maintenance. "We concluded that the best way to do this was to set up alliances between ourselves and competent maintenance providers that would offer our customers a one-stop shop.