Cooling Window Coatings Solar-reflective coatings that don’t change the color of plastic or glass aircraft windows are being developed by PPG Industries, which says the technology reduces the load on aircraft air conditioning systems for lower operating costs. PPG says its coatings will offer an advantage over competitive products because they are not visibility reflective and don’t change the aircraft’s appearance.
Interfast plans to expand its footprint outside North America with the acquisition of Burwood Fastener Products in Chobham, Surrey, U.K. The Canadian fastener manufacturer announced a letter of intent to acquire its competitor on Aug. 4. The strategic move would give Interfast a “firm base of operations in Europe” at its ninth facility (and first outside North America), which will operate as Interfast Europe Ltd., the company says. Facilities
The U.S. military is known for its odd, sometimes inexplicable acronyms. But the Air Force’s F2AST program, which stands for Future Flexible and Sustainment Tool, seems to hit the nail on the head.
You’re in the prime of your career, at the peak of your earning power and accustomed to traveling the world as a respected member of the elite aerospace profession. Then, the bottom drops out. No one’s immune to fiscal gravity these days, not in this economy. That gravity has been exerting an inexorable pull lately.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration amended Aeronautical Engineers’ Boeing 737-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion supplemental type certificate to add the 737-400. AEI’s conversion STC (VSTC-201) was first issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in 2005 for 737-300 series aircraft and was amended in 2007 to add the 737-400; it also been approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency and Brazil’s Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil.
Goodrich Corp. and Xi’an Aircraft International Corp. (XIAC) agreed to form two new joint venture companies in Xi’an, China, focused on landing gear and engine nacelle components. The new joint ventures, both owned 50:50 by Goodrich and XIAC, are slated to compete for work on the in-development COMAC C919 single-aisle commercial aircraft as well as manufacuring various landing gear and nacelle components and subassemblies for other aircraft. Goodrich currently has three facilities in Hong Kong, Tianjin, and Xiamen, China.
Curtiss-Wright Controls signed a license agreement with Boeing to make and sell replacement flight control spare parts and utility actuation products directly to operators of the 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777.
The Defense Ministry reports that a modified Boeing Chinook Mk3 heavy-lift helicopter successfully completed its initial test flight at Boscombe Down proving ground in the Mk3 updating program on June 6 (see photo p.74). Eight Mk3 Chinooks are being upgraded to make them compatible with avionics, cockpits and other systems in 40 Mk2 Chinooks operated by the Royal Air Force. Boeing is leading the effort, which includes input from Qinetiq and GE Aviation Systems. The refitted Mk3 helicopters are scheduled to be delivered later this year and through 2010.
Flight Structures amended STCs to install overhead crew rest and video entertainment system provisions on Boeing 747-400 series aircraft, STCs SA5906NM and SA4991NM
FAA is weighing costs, data requirements, training needs and a number of other factors as the agency prepares for a comprehensive rulemaking that would require all aviation certificate holders, product manufacturers and applicants and employers to develop a Safety Management System (SMS).
U.S. Naval Air Systems Command awarded Bobby Stroud, production director at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, the Department of Navy Superior Civilian Service Award “for outstanding technical and managerial contributions,” including the “pay-for-performance system that [he] devised and implemented [that] drove cost-conscious behavior” that saved at least $5 million. Stroud also emphasized workforce development that “institutionalized a culture of continuous improvement and problem solving.”
LED Pen Lights Streamlight’s FiberWrap fiberglass polymer pen lights come in four high-intensity LED colors. The red, green, white and blue PolyStylus pen lights feature a 5-mm LED designed for shock-resistance and a 100-hour lifetime. Customers can buy the pen lights separately or pick a PolyStylus combo pack that comes with a white LED module and interchangeable red, green and blue modules.
MTU Aero Engines and GE Aviation signed a 10-year agreement to jointly develop component repairs, with the initial focus on repairs for the hot section components in GE CF34 engines. MTU said the first repairs should be available in early 2010. This is the first agreement of this type that MTU has signed with an OEM. Repair development is not restricted to GE engines.
Delta TechOps signed a memorandum of understanding with Hawaiian Airlines to provide maintenance support for Hawaiian’s new Airbus A330-200 fleet, in a deal Delta is valuing at as much as $500 million. The deal also includes the extension of an existing support agreement for Hawaiian’s Boeing 767 fleet.
Audio International reissued STC to install the Hollingsead International Sentry One cockpit entry door surveillance camera system on various Boeing 747 series aircraft, STC ST01472LA-D
Flight Display Systems gained FAA parts manufacturer approval for three cabin entertainment products: the VGA distribution amplifier (DAPS350), a universal remote control (FDREMOTE-M), and a 7-in. widescreen LCD and mount (FD70ARM 28V).
BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul appointed Mark Taylor general manager of ERO Component Repair and Accessories. Taylor has worked for ERO’s H+S Aviation in Portsmouth, England for more than 19 years, including six years overseeing H+S Aviations component repair program. In addition to Portsmouth’s repair program, all U.S.-based component repair activity of Dallas Airmotive and Premier Turbines will report through Taylor.
Lycoming Engines selected Yingling Aviation as a new authorized service center approved to sell, install and provide regular and warranty services on Lycoming’s complete line of reciprocating engines, including the IE2, which features electronic controls, and the IO-233 LSA, designed specifically for light sport aircraft applications.
Hawker Beechcraft Services factory-owned service centers offer the Beechcraft King Air 90x upgrade for King Air C90 and E90 owners, a two-part upgrade that provides a gross weight increase and composite winglets. The gross weight increase supplemental type certificate, developed by Centex Aerospace, applies to King Air C90 and E90 models with standard engines or Pratt and Whitney PT6A-135A engines. It approves increasing the King Air C90 and C90A (LJ-577 to serial number LJ-1137) payload 835 lb.
O&M European Editor Bill Burchell’s emerging technologies cover story highlights several innovative developments in the MRO industry and forecasts how such solutions will impact the aftermarket. For instance, Bill reports that prognostic maintenance systems could slice “no fault found” events by 50-80%. “The use of neural networks in software design enables systems to ‘learn’ from the data they process,” says Honeywell’s Kristen Law. Research underway could enable remote monitoring of aircraft structural health.
