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

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.

AJW Technique plans to have component repair and overhaul capability for at least 550 part numbers by June, with nearly 400 more targeted for October. Capabilities will cover avionics and instruments, fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and generator components for Airbus and Boeing aircraft. With this number of SKUs, the company that just officially opened in early April plans to process more than 25,000 repair units covering 80% of component and powerplant ATA chapters per year.

Innovative Solutions and Support is targeting a four-day turnaround on a cockpit refresh for 182 Delta Airlines MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft under a $62 million contract issued to the Pennsylvania-based avionics company in early April.

European and Japanese regulators, following the FAA’s lead, have cleared the way for Boeing 787 operators to resume revenue flights following modification of the aircraft’s battery systems and, in Japan’s case, taking added precautions to monitor the aircraft’s safety.

Budgets drive Europeans to adapt military support contracts

Providers of military MRO begin to ponder their ultimate fate

The FAA in an airworthiness directive due to be released today says the cost of modifying the auxiliary power unit battery systems on United Airlines’ six Boeing 787 will total almost $2.8 million, or $464,678 per aircraft. Boeing has not disclosed the total cost of its modification program. Mike Sinnett, 787 Chief Project Engineer, says installations will take five days per aircraft.