Inside MRO

When Moog Aircraft Group launched its total support program for flight-control systems for the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, the concept was simple: Guarantee airlines that a component will be ready to ship within 2 hr.—or as little as 10 min. in an aircraft-on-ground (AOG) situation—from a location no more than 6-7 hr. from anyplace in the world.

CFM56 overhaul market should top $15 billion in next three years.

How much longer will young aircraft fetch higher prices for their parts than as whole airplanes?

Common maintenance programs and data formats could save time and money.

Lucerne, Switzerland

GE and Boeing separately are working on ways to connect the data dots to save airlines money.

Of the hundreds of products and services we wrote about in MRO Links this year, these garnered the most interest from readers. The Top 10, broken down by category, include nacelle repairs, spare parts, composites, inflight entertainment, cargo conversions and cabin interiors. To access more information about the following, go to www.AviationWeek.com/mrolinks and enter the Link number under the Advanced Search section of the page. 1. Nacelle Needs

Tough economic times force innovation and make airline and aftermarket businesses evaluate what is core to their strategy. At the same time, next-gen aircraft and engine technology is forcing major industry changes. What do you want your business to be doing in five years and what are you doing now to ensure you will get to that point? Here are a few market dynamics to think about:

1. Double Shades Manufacturer: Aerospace Technologies Group Applications: Aerospace Technologies Group introduced its electro-mechanical shade systems in 2002, but the company has since made specific versions for Airbus (the Powertech NG Shade System found on some A380s) and for Boeing (the Ambiance Shade System certified for the 777).

Regional jet retirements limit MRO opportunities.

New technology and methods forge a template for future training, but challenges and cost concerns remain.

Error reduction in a maintenance operation demands optimal performance from technicians. But in this era of downsized workforces, aggressive cost-cutting and constant time pressures, it's tougher than ever to extract peak performance from mechanics every day.

Software upgrades, for the most part, are now an on-wing proposition. But, as Mitch Klink of the Avionics Maintenance Conference explains, all software modifications—and the media/hardware to transfer them—should conform to the baseline version of the Arinc 615 protocol to allow the use of portable data-loaders for on-wing applications. He cautions that, often when these upgrades are performed on-wing, the LRUs containing the new software versions become non-interchangeable with the LRUs containing the previous software versions.

1. New Stability Manufacturer: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Applications: Trelleborg's new material, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer E8T89, is designed to be used for the aerospace range of O-rings in civilian aircraft hydraulic systems. It remains stable in Type IV and V phosphate ester fluids even at elevated temperatures. Specifications: The material is compliant with NAS 1613 Rev 5. The LRCCP in France accredited it to NFL17-241B8, and Boeing has approved it for use.

Airlines are attempting to increase avionics functionality through upgrades.

Washington FAA will not change the cargo flight deck security requirements that give operators a choice between a reinforced barrier or a clearly defined security procedure to keep intruders and explosives off of their aircraft.

EGAT's president talks growth plans and how it competes with lower-priced competition in China.

Even if making money in the airframe maintenance business is hard to do, a lot of companies still want to get into it.

Lucerne, Switzerland

A Purdue program is researching the hangar of the future.

1. 5-Axis for Small Parts Manufacturer: Hardinge Group Applications: The recently announced Bridgeport GX-250 5AX is a five-axis vertical machining center designed for work on small parts that need to have fine surface finishes. Specifications: The C-frame machine features NANO Smoothing, a tool center point control and polar coordinate, cylindrical and helical interpolation, plus other features and options such as tool and part probes.

BA Engineering preps for 787 and A380s, seeks synergies with Iberia

1. Spicing It Up Manufacturer: Airbus Applications: Airbus's Space Innovative Catering Equipment (Spice) should be available for aircraft deliveries in the early 2020s. Specifications: The system includes foldable service carts and has a weight savings of 400-600 kg (881-1,322 lb.). www.airbus.com/innovation/well-being/inside/spice/ Link 610

In the arcane world of airline technical services purchasing, the dynamics are changing along with the economics of the industry.

Lack of effective communication, one of the Dirty Dozen root causes of human error in maintenance, is to blame for many of the problems that crop up in the hangar. When organizations address this topic, typically they zero in on handovers between shifts and clarity of written items in logbooks. Rarely do managers step back and consider how they are communicating through the signage posted around the workplace. It may seem a small thing, but the words on your walls matter.