MRO News Briefs, Aug. 21-27, 2022

Heads Up Technologies Acquires STG Aerospace
Aircraft lighting, cabin management systems and flight deck safety product manufacturer Heads Up Technologies has acquired STG Aerospace. STG Aerospace says the acquisition creates an exciting solution set for its customers. 

Air Astana Plans In-House MRO Expansion
Air Astana has announced that it plans to expand its in-house maintenance capability at regional bases in the near future in line with its plans to expand its fleet to 59 aircraft by 2025. 

NIAR WERX, Erickson Unveil First A321 Conversion 
Wichita State University’s NIAR WERX and Erickson Precision Ventures have announced their first collaborative passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversion of an Airbus A321 following their agreement signed in May. The A321 will be NIAR WERX’s first PTF conversion of the aircraft type.

FAA Retires Airworthiness Directive Databases
The FAA has retired several databases within its Regulatory Guidance Library as part of its efforts to migrate to its Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS). On Aug. 16 it retired the databases for Emergency Airworthiness Directives, Airworthiness Directives and Airworthiness Directives: Biweekly. These AD documents will now only be available on the DRS.

Korean Traffic Drives Dornier Technology MRO Growth
Philippine MRO Dornier Technology has announced its plans to open a tenth line station this year, with plans to operate 15 line stations in the Philippines by 2025. It says it has benefited from the sudden recovery in passenger traffic from Korea, including winning three line maintenance contracts from Korean low-cost carriers Air Busan, Air Seoul and Jeju Air.

Vas Aero Acquires Four A330-300s, 11 PW4168 Engines
VAS Aero Services has acquired four Airbus A330-300 aircraft and 11 Pratt & Whitney PW4168 engines from American Airlines. The aircraft were retired in 2020 from the carrier’s fleet and will now be sent for teardown. The engines will be placed with MRO partner SR Technics for engine lease pool support and ultimately disassembled to feed its used serviceable material stock.

APOC Aviation Appoints New CCO
APOC Aviation has promoted Kevin Wall to the role of chief commercial officer. Wall, who was previously the company’s senior vice president of business development across the U.S., will run APOC’s global commercial operations from its recently opened Miami office. 

Egyptian Carrier Selects MRO software
Egypt-based AlMasria Universal Airlines, which operates scheduled and charter services, has signed up for Rusada’s Envision software to manage its airworthiness, maintenance and flight operations. The carrier opted for multiple modules including fleet management, operational control, base and line maintenance, and inventory management.

Rostec Establishing Engine Repair Center
Russian industrial conglomerate Rostec has announced plans to establish a specialized aircraft engine parts repair center for United Engine Corporation engines. It says the facility, which is expected to be complete in 2024, will speed up repairs, reduce costs and reduce burden on manufacturers by expanding the availability of spare parts.

PAG Plans PTB Group Acquisition
Precision Aviation Group (PAG) has entered a definitive agreement to acquire PTB Group, an Australia and U.S.-based MRO specialized in Pratt & Whitney PT6 and Honeywell TPE331 engine repair services, engine and airframe leasing and supply chain services. The acquisition will increase PAG’s repair stations to 20 worldwide.