Embraer and Kenya Airways want to establish the airframer's second authorized service center in Africa for commercial aircraft, to specialize in E-Jets.
FAA officials have long touted efforts such as the agency's systems safety approach as more efficient uses of its resources. The congressionally mandated budget cuts are putting this to the test—and industry had better hope the agency is right.
1. Performance Excellence Manufacturer: Huntsman Advanced Materials Applications: Huntsman Advanced Materials, part of the Huntsman family of companies, specializes in synthetics, adhesives and laminating systems for both aircraft manufacturing and repair. The company is just one of fewer than 600 suppliers to earn a 2012 Boeing Performance Excellence award. www.huntsman.com
As regional carriers readjust their maintenance needs and operations, a growing number of independent MROs are benefiting as new business comes their way.
The RB211 program bankrupted Rolls-Royce, forcing the U.K. government to step in and save the project and the company. Both recovered—Rolls-Royce is still delivering and developing engines, and the RB211 will go down as one of the most versatile and successful engine series of the jet age.
1. By The Book Provider: Aeronautical Repair Station Association Offerings: ARSA specializes in regulatory compliance training. The association's courses focus primarily on the requirements of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations pertaining to design, production and maintenance, and on gaining Inspection Authorization acceptance from the FAA. Standard and customized courses are available. www.arsa.org Link 606 2: More Lean Provider: Duggan Associates
1. Racing Ahead MRO: Applied Composites Engineering Offerings: Indianpolis-based Applied Composites Engineering (ACE) got its start in 1982 in the motor racing industry. By 2007, the company's focus was 100% aerospace, including manufacturing and aftermarket support. ACE has 12,000 sq. ft. of dedicated MRO space and services radomes, engine nacelles, flight controls, interior components, and more for airline and business aviation customers. www.appliedcomposites.com Link 610 2. Chasing Dreams
The global civil aircraft fleet should increase 3.9% over the next 10 years to 32,500 aircraft, and the value of the aftermarket supporting that fleet likely will grow at a 3.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to $69 billion by 2022, according to an Aviation Week forecast. While the growth percentages look small and could indicate a constrained airline capacity increase for the next few years, while keeping maintenance costs in check, a look at the underlying numbers make this a much more dynamic story.
In September 1996, Embraer announced the arrival of its regional jet family in North America when Continental Express ordered 200 ERJ 145s. Even though only 25 of the commitments were firm, the message was clear: Embraer's 50-seat market entry was going to be a major player in the world's biggest aviation market. Recently, a few ERJ 145s were involved in a very different kind of transaction that delivered an equally emphatic, but different message.
No Fault Founds (NFFs) occur when parts appear faulty on an aircraft or in a line check, but test as fault-free in the shop. They are a frustrating waste of money and effort because although they appear to be benign, they still must be vetted. Reducing NFFs remains tough to accomplish. As old causes are discovered and resolved, new challenges arise, for example in increasingly complex avionics software.
An American Airlines-US Airways merger offers the combined carrier clear opportunities to leverage existing assets as part of a long-term MRO strategy that mixes in-house and outsourced work. Just how much work will stay in the new American's hangars is anyone's guess, however, particularly considering the apparent clash of philosophies.
Blowing sand in the Middle East and high levels of airborne particulate matter from industrial pollution in Asia are parts of the impetus behind a new generation of thermal barrier coatings (TBC) designed to better protect engine components and withstand corrosive elements. TBC corrosion is becoming a growing issue, specifically attributable to the build-up of calcium magnesium aluminosilicates (CMAS).
As more nacelles are made of composites, their repair market is becoming quite diverse. “Fleet transitions are adding complexity, failure modes vary as aircraft age, and operators are customizing work scopes to fit their needs,” says Meredith Siegfried, CEO of Nordam, a major nacelle OEM and repair specialist. Siegfried says most of today's nacelle work stems from mature aircraft, which generally employ comparable technologies and materials, so today's primary focus is on doing the work faster and cheaper.
New-generation turbine engines are being designed to run hotter for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This requires a second generation of thermal barrier coating (TBC) technologies that offer greater protection for costly engine components such as the high-pressure turbine blades and vanes. “The new generation of ceramic TBCs, which are referred to as 'Low K TBC,' will provide lower conductivity, resulting in greater insulative conductivity,” says Ravi Shankar, director of coating and process technologies for Chromalloy.
Finance is playing an ever-increasing role in today's airline industry, with nearly half the world's commercial fleet under lease, according to Lufthansa Technik. And that trend is growing. Banks and private-equity firms are becoming more involved, expanding their investments from aircraft into engine and component financing as well.
