Condition monitoring (CM) systems record machine-performance data remotely via sensors. CM systems can be used in different facilities, but must be manually programmed each time they are moved, a procedure that in Europe can cost around €100,000 ($140,000). The Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering of Kaiserslautern has developed a CM system that can be installed in different facilities without manual programming. The software runs on a basic language developed by Fraunhofer, which lets engineers set the system up with a “drag-and-drop” function.
The Defense Logistics Agency –Ogden awarded Goodrich a contract to provide new carbon brakes and boltless wheels for C-130 transport aircraft worth up to $400 million in revenue over the life of the program. It includes original equipment and aftermarket sales for U.S. and international customers and covers qualification activities as well as flight test and retrofit equipment.OM
Australia's Skywest Airlines has stepped up as the second customer for Fokker Services' F-100 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) upgrade. The carrier will upgrade its nine Fokker 100s (including one being prepared for service entry by Fokker Services Asia). Skywest follows launch customer Air Niugini as carriers who have opted for the Fokker GNSS upgrade, which gives the aircraft RNP 0.3 requirement capabilities.
Mesaba Airlines’ 60 Bombardier regional aircraft will receive avionics maintenance from Rockwell Collins per a 16-year Dispatch agreement. Under the long-term deal inked in August, Rockwell Collins will provide avionics component repairs and inventory for the Northwest/Delta operator’s 41 CRJ900s and 19 CRJ200s at multiple pre-positioned service locations.
Chromalloy named Jos Oude Egberink general manager of its Holland, Netherlands, operation. Oude Egberink had been acting general manager of the site since early 2008.
Jettech to install a Sandel SA4550 primary attitude display, SN4500 primary navigation displays and associated equipment into a Cessna 500 to obtain WAAS approval for a Garmin GNS-400W/500W global navigation system with an FGS-70 automatic flight control system, STC ST10945SC
Toughbook Meets New Mil Durability Specs Panasonic says its Toughbook 30 laptop, Toughbook 19 convertible tablet and Toughbook U1 ultra mobile handheld computers have performed to and above the military's new standard for mobile computers—Mil-Std-810G. Meeting this standard involved passing 20 tests, as well as IP65 ingress protection and ASTM D4169-04 vehicle vibration tests.
Latin American maintenance, repair and overhaul providers continue to expand their offerings in the worldwide MRO market, with new capabilities and certifications coming on line all the time. With increasing numbers of new-generation Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer jets being delivered into the region, and still hundreds of older-generation aircraft needing more intensive maintenance, the potential market from Latin carriers alone is enough to spur MRO development in the region.
Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services reissued STCs to install various communications and electronic systems on a range of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft, Several STCs
Boeing has closed a deal with the government for the purchase of 15 CH-147F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The program includes a 20-year in-service support and maintenance contract worth about $2.2 billion, almost twice as much as the $1.2-billion price of the helicopters. The contract includes an option to extend MRO to the life expectancy of the aircraft. No word has been released yet as to whether Boeing or a local company will be responsible for maintenance services.
Avantext , a provider of an airworthiness directive regulatory compliance and technical publications software tools for the aviation industry, moved into new offices in Conshohocken, Penn.
The Brazilian Air Force selected Vector Helicopter Services-North America to support its fleet of 32 Bell H-1H helicopters under a five-year agreement worth $15 million. Vector will provide in-country support for airframe inspection, repair services and logistics from a military facility. Its Andalusia, Ala. facility also will repair dynamic components and overhaul transmissions, gearboxes and hydraulics.
It’s competitive out there. Sales teams are working harder to get contracts, and they are often required to be more creative in crafting winning solutions. For instance, in mid-September Delta TechOps won its first Boeing 747 component MRO contract since merging with Northwest Airlines by teaming with Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. in Taiwan.
Chromate- and Lead-Free Primers A new chromate-free epoxy primer, epoxy primer surfacer and urethane primer are available from Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings for commercial, military and general aviation applications. The low-VOC, two-component, corrosion-inhibiting products contain no hexavalent chromium and meet the latest Occupational Health and Safety Administration standards for occupation exposure.
Chromalloy named Jimmy Ravenne general manager of its turbine engine MRO operation near Paris. Ravenne most recently was integrated supply chain and site leader for Secan, part of Honeywell’s aerospace aftermarket operation in France, and previously worked as VP Engineering and Maintenance for Brit Air/Groupe Air France and for SR Technics. Ravenne replaces Christophe Lecanu, controller, who served as interim general manager.
Goodrich Corp.’s Aerostructures business opened a 50,000-sq.-ft. facility at Tianjin Airport Industrial Park for MRO activities and to support original equipment manufacturing of nacelles and thrust reversers. The plant is, however, only a steppingstone to a larger facility that is scheduled to open in 2010—a 170,000-sq.-ft. site in Tianjin that will be across from the final assembly line for the Airbus A320 aircraft.
Hawker Beechcraft Services amended STCs to install an L3-Communications modular airborne data recording acquisition system-cockpit voice/data recorder to implement a digital flight data recorder system on various B200 B300 and 390 models, STCs SA10478SC and SA10942SC
The machines are coming! As Arthur C. Clarke predicts in 2001: A Space Odyssey, intelligent machines are with us and will become ever more intelligent as time progresses. The speed at which new technology develops also will accelerate, spawning new designs, materials, production techniques, repair methodologies and robotic tools.
Egyptair is becoming one of the biggest training providers in Africa and the Middle East as it opens the fourth and final phase of its training complex in Cairo. This phase adds 44 classrooms and two additional simulator bays, for a total of 92 classrooms and eight simulator bays. IT
Friday morning boardwalks are a critical element in making Continuous Improvement work. A recent boardwalk hosted by the AA’s CFM56 engine shop was informal but highly structured, friendly but candid. Each pair of supervisors and crew chiefs gave a five-minute report, starting with safety, then summarizing how they were doing against plan and noting help required. Tulsa General Manager Paul Creider offered a quick question, comment or congratulation afterwards.
C & D Zodiac amended STC to install a reinforced cockpit door on Bombardier CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700 and 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) aircraft, STC ST01415LA
