A new composite surface preparation can lessen the labor-intensive process.

Airbus is bringing to market the A330 passenger to freighter program with ST Aerospace, with the aircraft to enter service in 2016. Both the A330-300 (to come first) and -200 (due a year later) will be part of the P2F program which also includes EADS' EFW unit. ST Aerospace will have the development lead, with EFW performing the modification and marketing. The arrangement has been under work for three years.

An MRO's perennially prickly problem is presenting itself at precisely the most inopportune of times. That problem is lack of manpower, and it's manifesting itself during an era ripe with demand for outsourced MRO. The issue seems particularly acute among at some independent North American MROs. At the same time, customers are calling on those MROs to offer nose-to-tail services, and more. In this environment, it's not just the strong that survive, it's the supple. Skills Shortage

Eirtech Aviation added two narrowbody hangars in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The facilities join Eirtech's operations in Shannon, Ireland and Dublin.

AAR received design approvals from the FAA and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to perform custom interior modifications on Xiamen Airlines' Boeing 757-200 aircraft. AAR will modify the aircraft into a three-class configuration and install new seats.

FRANKFURT—The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently came up with some encouraging figures. It was never safer to fly than it was in 2011. There were 0.77 hull losses per one million departures in 2005; in 2011 that figures improved significantly to 0.37. And there were regions like Europe or North Asia that did not have any hull losses at all last year.

Distributor: Atlantic Fasteners Applications: Socket head cap screws in A286 material are used throughout the aerospace industry. According to Atlantic Fasteners' President Tony Peterson, it can be difficult to economically source the head cap screws in small quantities. He says that Atlantic Fasteners requires a $35 minimum order and certifications at no charge to help solve this problem. Specifications: Available in several part numbers and quantities. www.atlanticfasteners.com

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandated the replacement of six aluminum rivets on the Airbus A380 in its latest airworthiness directive (AD 12-014) for the type. The rivets have been used at the junction of Fuselage Stringer 21 left and right and Frame 0. During an engineering review, the pieces have been found “not in compliance with the certification requirements.” While the structural limit load capability is still ensured, the rivets may not sustain ultimate load stress, according to fatigue analysis.