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.
ATK Integrated Systems to install special mission equipment including surveillance and mission radio systems in M7 Aerospace SA227-DC (C-26B) and Cessna 208B aircraft, STCs SA00024MC and SA00025MC
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.
Interaction is key to effective human factors education, according to some in the technical training business. While computer-based training, or CBT, can reduce costs and make coursework accessible to larger groups of employees, online courses cannot quite replicate the impact of a classroom course with an experienced instructor, says Wolfgang Hobelsberger, training manager for Nayak Aviation Service.
Swiss International Airlines subsidiary Edelweiss Air extended its contract with SR Technics for Airbus A320 maintenance for an additional three years and three months. The renewal agreement, which extends to March 2012, includes line, light and base maintenance; maintenance operations control; engineering services; component support; engine maintenance and logistics management.OM
LONDON—The big issue on EASA’s agenda this year is the introduction of implementing rules for Operations & Licensing, which cover commercial air transport operations for aeroplanes and helicopters. Why? Because the existing EU-Ops regulation (EASA regulation 216/2008) passed by the European Parliament on July 16, 2008, only covers fixed-wing types.
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.
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.
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.
Rockwell Collins received an STC for its Wide Area Augmentation System Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance upgrade for Hawker 800XP aircraft equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics system, following the completion of its flight test program at the end of June. The STC now is available through Rockwell Collins authorized dealers and Hawker Beechcraft Services. Parts/Components
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.
ExelTech interim CEO Robin Wohnsigl stepped down on Aug. 17 to revert to his role on the company’s board of directors. He is succeeded by Sylvain Duval, who served as ExelTech’s president and COO since April 2008. Stephen Hops also joined the company as VP operations, responsible for maintenance in both Montreal and Quebec, supply chain, quality assurance and training, planning, continuous improvement and customer relations.
OEM Defense Services, formed in October 2008 by five European equipment manufacturers to cooperatively support the aviation assets of national militaries, is fully operational. The companies—Diehl Aerospace, Liebherr Aerospace, Safran, Thales and Zodiac Aerospace—was intended to provide logistical support and services that include MRO for the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft and the NH90 and Tiger helicopters. Its service offerings and equipment capabilities in many cases match the contractor support requirements for other fleets in service.
AAR Corp. signed a letter of intent with SuperJet International to become a service center for the Sukhoi Superjet 100. As part of SuperJet’s MRO network, AAR will provide heavy airframe maintenance, modifications, interior and exterior refurbishments, unscheduled maintenance services, line and overnight maintenance, as well as field teams for off-site support.
Flightstar Aircraft Services inked a contract with Precision Conversions to convert a Boeing 757-200 from passenger to freighter configuration for a Chinese carrier, to be completed by November. Engines
Flight Structures amended STCs to install overhead crew rest and video entertainment system provisions on Boeing 747-400 series aircraft, STCs SA5906NM and SA4991NM
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.
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.
