Low-Density Fuel Tank Sealant Royal Adhesives and Sealants’ Hardman WS8032 Light Weight Rapid Curing manganese dioxide cured polysulfide aircraft sealant now is fully qualified to SAE International’s aerospace material (AMS) 3281D type II Class B aircraft fuel tank sealant specification.
—In 2008 American Airlines’ 12,000 techs performed nearly 90% of maintenance in house, compared with 30-70% by other major airlines. AA does all its own airframe maintenance, another departure from common practice in the U.S.
Beagle Aerospace added full CFM56 series thrust reverser overhaul, repair and test capabilities at its Christchurch, Dorset, U.K., facility per a successful July 29 audit by the U.K's Civil Aviation Authority.
Armstrong Aerospace amended STC to install a Honeywell RESCU 406AF/AFN emergency locator transmitter system on Lockheed Martin 382G aircraft, STC ST02109CH
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.
Mubadala Development Co. of Abu Dhabi is on its way to building a major MRO center in the area, after signing an agreement with GE Aviation that finalizes a strategic partnership the companies initiated in 2008. Highlights of the deal include a commitment by GE and its affiliates to provide technical support and services to SR Technics and Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, Mubadala’s affiliate MRO companies, as well as material support and licenses to service select GE engines.
On June 28, 2008, the pilots of an ABX Air Boeing 767-200, N799AX, were performing an engine start checklist for a cargo flight from San Francisco International Airport when they heard a loud pop and hissing sound from the “supernumerary” compartment behind the cockpit. The first officer had just been in the supernumerary a minute before and everything appeared fine.
A series of “meet and confer” discussions between Pratt & Whitney and the International Association of Machinists over the future of two maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in Connecticut was scheduled to conclude early in September. A Pratt & Whitney representative said the company is looking for concessions in the union’s collective bargaining agreement that will keep the Cheshire Engine Facility and the Connecticut Airfoil Repair Operation (CARO) in East Hartford open beyond the first half of 2010.
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).
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.
Learjet amended STC to install a Honeywell enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) software upgrade and/or optional Runway Awareness and Advisory System with GPS interface, EGPWS software upgrade or Runway Awareness and Advisory System Inhibit on Learjet 45 aircraft, STC ST00195BO
PlaneTechs promoted David Pearson to president, filling the position left open when Ian Rollo left the company in mid-2008. Pearson formerly was PlaneTechs‘ SVP of sales.
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.
Gulfstream’s second generation enhanced vision system (EVS II) is available for new and in-service G150 aircraft, following its July 1 FAA certification on the type. The EVS II system, developed in cooperation with Kollsman, consists of a nose-mounted infrared camera that sends images to a 12 in.-by-10 in. LCD multi-function display.
Aero Precision Industries formed a stocking distributor agreement with Honeywell Defense and Space that allows all international military users to meet their rotary wing logistics needs on multiple platforms, including the UH-60 (S70), MH-60, HH-60 and SH-60. The agreement also supplements Aero Precision’s current fixed wing agreement by providing stocking distribution for all Honeywell fixed and rotary wing military aircraft products worldwide.
