Diehl Aviation and Skyways Technics are teaming up to boost repairs of aircraft radomes.
Under a new deal signed by both companies, Skyways Technics’ Hungarian facility will have access to Diehl Aviation Hungary’s two autoclaves, which are used to treat composite material.
Radomes are made of nearly 30 layers of laminated prepreg material in a honeycomb structure, and require special autoclave ovens to harden. Bird strikes and hail are a typical source of damage for these aerostructures.
All steps in the repair process are to be carried out between Debrecen, where Skyways’ Hungarian facility is located, and Nyírbátor, the site of Diehl’s autoclaves.
Skyways Technics has facilities in Denmark, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., France and Australia. Its workshops capabilities include the repair of all types of structural components for ATR and narrowbody aircraft, with a focus on nose radomes and leading edges.
Since 2020 Diehl Aviation has also been using autoclaves at its Nyírbátor site and at its German headquarters in Laupheim to produce complex lightweight components for the cabin lining and air-conditioning ducts in the aircraft cabin.
Diehl will provide Skyways Technics with access to its two autoclaves in Nyírbátor and support with the necessary know-how.
At Aviation Week Network's recent Engine Leasing, Trading and Finance Europe conference, several panelists noted that third-party repairs are proving to be one of the tightest bottlenecks in the aftermarket supply chain, with smaller MRO providers struggling to recruit back the skilled staff they lost in the pandemic.
“The problem is in the parts that go outside for repair and the backlog that still exists in the subcontracted repairs,” said Ana Bidarra, engine shop planning and control manager for TAP Portugal.
“Most of the big people have been able to recruit and train, but some of the smaller outfits are finding it harder to get people in and that’s where we’re probably seeing the pinch point,” added Alistair Forbes, senior market analyst for MTU Maintenance.
Perhaps cooperation like that of Diehl and Skyways is one way to lower repair times going forward.
