AviationWeek.com

Two of the big questions in commercial aviation today are “How long will low fuel prices continue?” and “What effect will they have on the longevity of mature equipment?”

As the latest part of Boeing's top-to-bottom supply chain shake-up, the manufacturer is to bring production of 737 and 777 flap actuation systems in-house.

The purchase of Mxi Technologies by IFS is still revealing some very interesting possibilities. IFS Aerospace and Defense Director Graham Grose notes that Mxi’s Maintenix has been a best-of-breed aviation maintenance management system, installed for nearly 20 years alongside the leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. So a mature gateway has been built to connect Maintenix to ERPs used by Maintenix clients.

While building up facilities to service its Leap engines, CFM reaffirms commitment to aftermarket competition.

Engine retirements are slowing, and ramp-up in certain engine overhauls is increasing, which puts pressure on serviceable material supplies.

Focus on the “Project Performance Pyramid”—people, processes and proactivity—was key to the airline’s success.

Career plans often don’t follow a planned trajectory and instead come from being in the right place, raising a hand and being flexible.

Watch Chinese drone maker EHang's progress in ground and flight testing of the large multi-rotor vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicle.

Aircraft Maintenance Systems released a major new version of its MRO tracking software designed to enhance back-end functions to keep the software technically fresh.

More efficient engines usually operate at higher temperatures, and this can require better oils. Modern oils have been developed to run not only at higher temperatures, but also to reduce maintenance costs.

Tiodize has developed new greases that work at temperatures up to 1,400F.

Facing a last-minute book idea emergency? If you are ready to scramble, here are some stocking filler gift ideas for aviation geeks.

Enterprise and asset management software company IFS serves four distinct, diverse aerospace and defense markets.

The software that extracts data from maintenance management systems can boost the time mechanics actually spend working on aircraft by 30%.

Estonia’s new national carrier Nordica has entered into a wide-ranging partnership with LOT Polish Airlines in an effort to stabilize its business.

The plant will supply higher-grade aluminum for wing skins and introduce machining to cut costs of the final parts, said Ingo Kroepfl, vice president for Aleris’s aerospace business.

IBM software is being used streamline a technician’s notes—aka unstructured data—helping to discover the cause of a fault and apply the most effective prevention or repair strategy.

Sydney-based 1Ansah is using natural language processing and machine learning to take advantage of a huge database for information and training while working on Airbus Helicopters.

Fused Deposition Modeling allows designers to create part geometries that would simply be impossible to make with traditional manufacturing techniques.

Transmitting, collecting and processing data as efficiently as possible is critical to leveraging Big Data in aviation.

“Engineers use these applications in their everyday lives, so it makes sense to exploit them in the work environment.”

Repairs to large titanium parts expected to drive demand for additive systems.

Economic appeal of lighter aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 expands the demand for structural core materials.

Pulse’s rugged design makes it easy to install in most locations on any aircraft, and it is formulated for high reliability and maintainability.

PTC continues to be a leading provider of product lifecycle management and is adding technician training to its wheelhouse.