Global Boosts Services Portfolio
Global Aerospace Design Corporation has obtained FAA approval for Boeing 777-300 passenger to cargo conversions. It has also added the Boeing 737-400, 737-500 and Airbus A310-300 to its FAA supplemental type certificate for ADS-B Out. The amendment uses the FreeFlight 1203C receiver to provide accurate global positioning of an aircraft.

VSE Corporation Acquires HAECO Special Services
MRO provider VSE Corporation has acquired HAECO Special Services, which provides MRO support solutions for military and government aircraft from two hangar locations in Greensboro, North Carolina. According to VSE, the acquisition will expand its MRO capabilities with access to new facilities, certifications and technical expertise required to provide end-to-end support for government fleets.

Avianor and AKKA Obtain EASA A330 Preighter STC
AKKA Technologies and Avianor have worked collaboratively to obtain an EASA supplemental type certificate (STC) for an Airbus A330 “preighter” conversion, which will enable operators to convert their A330 passenger fleets to cargo in compliance with EASA specifications until the end of 2021. The new STC builds on Avianor’s main deck cargo conversion STC from Transport Canada Civil Aviation.

Aeroji Begins Operational Beta Release
Aero-engine “social marketplace” startup Aeroji has started the operational beta release of its cloud-based platform, which will feature real assets for leasing, trading and sales. Aeroji users will be able to track, favorite and compare assets, chat with each other and upload documents related to shop visits or inspection reports. Since the startup began beta testing in December 2020, British Airways and MTU Maintenance Lease Services B.V. have signed on as beta testers alongside other established testers such as Kellstrom Aerospace and KG Aircraft Rotables. Aeroji says interested aviation professionals are still welcome to join the beta testing phase before the platform’s scheduled launch in April 2021.

Airbus Picks Stratasys for 3D Printed MRO Parts
Additive manufacturing specialist Stratasys has been awarded a contract extension by Airbus that expands the range of 3D printed parts for Airbus to include replacement and spare parts for MRO. It also extends part types beyond those developed for the A350 to other aircraft platforms such as the A320/300/330/340.

AEI Awarded Transair Freighter Conversion Contract
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. has been awarded a contract to provide Transair with an AEI B737-400SF freighter conversion. The aircraft will commence modification in June 2021 at Commercial Jet, an authorized AEI Conversion Center, in Dothan, Alabama. The aircraft will be Transair’s first B737-400SF freighter. Transair also operates a fleet of five B737-200F freighters.

Kontron Reaches Wi-Fi Installation Milestone with Chinese Airline
Kontron has announced it has reached a milestone of 400 aircraft installations completed of inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFE&C) equipment for a major Chinese commercial airline. As the supplier of hardware and software for the project, Kontron has been working closely with the airline’s engineering department and MRO on the installations, which began in early 2019 and are planned to continue through 2021.

New Boeing 777-300ER Freighter Conversion Project
Aviation advisory firm Split Rock Aviation has engaged with Sequoia Aircraft Conversions to develop a Boeing 777-300ER converted freighter. The conversion program will be based in Wichita, Kansas with an engineering packaged completed by Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research. According to Sequoia, the 777-300ER converted freighter will be ideally suited to replace aging three engine MD-10/11s and 747-200/400 cargo aircraft.

USAF Performing C-40 Crew Rest Modifications
The U.S. Air Force is modifying aircraft in its C-40 fleet to meet Air Force and FAA crew rest requirements during extended missions. Modifications include installing two rest seats in the crew rest area that recline to a flat horizontal position so pilots can sleep during long missions, changing wiring to allow crew rest lights to turn off without needing to shut off lights in the entire cabin, and installing a sound deadening curtain. The upgrades are expected to be completed by May 2021.

Epcor Adds New Honeywell APU Capability
AFI KLM E&M subsidiary Epcor has added Honeywell GTCP131-9C auxiliary power units (APU) to its support service capability. It will offer APU repair and maintenance, including warranty repairs, to worldwide operators of the Airbus A220 equipped with the APU type.