HEATCON Composite Systems introduced an updated version of its HCS9000B/9200B hot bonders. These feature rapid startup and a new USB interface for data export; data capture analysis software and a USB drive are included. The units’ navigation has been improved with an enhanced menu, text entry systems, and automatic graph scaling, HEATCON says. Other added features include capabilities for up to 30 customizable, user-named profiles and a high-resolution LCD screen. HEATCON Composite Systems, 600 Andover Park East, Seattle, WA 98188
Over 10 years ago, I asked the quality director for a large MRO, “Do you know your big challenges?” He leaned back to a filing cabinet and pulled a file labeled “MEDA DATA.” On top of the fat files were a few colored bar charts. He pointed to the largest columns and talked about topics like failure to follow procedures, poor verbal and written communication, a reluctance of the workforce to speak up when they recognize conditions that are likely to cause problems and not enough qualified employees.
Following negotiations in late 2008, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has been contracted to upgrade 42 Pakistan Air Force F-16 combat aircraft, to boost their capabilities towards matching newer Block 50 versions. Four of the original 46 Pakistani Block 15 F-16s are already in the U.S. to assess mid-life upgrade requirements planned for the entire PAF fleet. Work will be undertaken from 2009 at TAI facilities near Ankara, Turkey. Pakistan picked TAI for the F-16 upgrade contract following competition with SABCA in Belgium, and Fokker in the Netherlands.
A 250 ml two-component aerosol container became available in May from AzkoNobel Aerospace Coatings, as an alternative to its 400 ml aerosol. The company offers the new-size aerosol as a convenient and easier-to-use package that works well as a touch-up tool. It is designed to produce a high-quality finish and nearly invisible repairs on special-effect mica colors.
Government signature was announced on April 14 with Embraer of a $140 million contract to modernize a Brazilian Naval Aviation (FAMB) squadron of 12 Douglas A-4 (locally AF-1) Skyhawk light attack aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney J52-P408 turbojets as the main component of its maritime air force. The Skyhawks comprise nine single-seat AF-1s and three two-seat AF-1A trainers, from 23 FAMB A-4KUs previously operated by Kuwait.
ILS celebrates its 30th anniversary on May 31. ILS President Bruce Langsen said ILS has about 60 million line items in its database. Each business day ILS on average receives 60,000 access, 150,000 part searches, 5,000 repair capability searches and 40,000 requests for quotes.
Kimberly-Clark Corp. acquired Jackson Products , a Fenton, Mo., based provider of welding safety products, personal protective equipment and work zone safety products more widely known as Jackson Safety. Tom Burns, the current president and CEO of Jackson Safety, will continue to lead the 400-employee business as a division of Kimberly-Clark Professional.
Air Blue in Pakistan and AJW Aviation signed a five-year, power-by-the-hour contract to support 11 additional Airbus A319 and A321 aircraft scheduled to be inducted into Air Blue’s fleet between now and 2011. The contract supplements an existing power-by-the-hour agreement between the two companies.
It has been a long journey, but suppliers to Airbus and Boeing are getting ready to put radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags on aircraft parts. The technology for fully passive UHF tags has matured, the international data standards are close to publication and, from manufacturers to maintainers, RFID is gathering momentum.
Crane Aerospace added Michael Romito as president of its aerospace group, to lead sites in Burbank, Calif.; Elyria, Ohio; Lynnwood, Wash.; and Lyon, France. Romito previously served as a consultant to several divisions of Alliant Techsystems.
Newport Corp. offers a new series of pneumatic vibration isolators. The S-2000 Stabilizer series incorporates Newport’s patented self-centering pendulum design, laminar-flow dampening system and precision auto-leveling valves. Additional features include enhanced leveling indicators, recessed lifting channels, and a significantly lower magnetic permeability design. It is designed for isolating optical tables, large inspection equipment, heavy machinery and large area sub-floors, Newport says.
SR Technics appointed André Wall COO and member of its group executive board, effective May 15. Wall joined SRT from Jet Aviation in Zurich, where he was COO. Prior to this, Wall served as president and CEO of MTU Maintenance in Berlin for three years.
Goodrich’s Alabama Service Center received Boeing approval to provide overheat service bulletin inspections and modifications for Boeing 737NG aircraft. The service bulletin, SB1079, mandates inspection of the aircraft’s GE CFM56-7 engine thrust reverser inner walls and insulation blankets as well as checking for signs of heat damaged and correcting possible heat-related issues.
MUMBAI—Trouble between union and management at Indian MRO company AirWorks Engineering is said to be behind the sabotage of industrialist Anil Ambani’s Bell 412 helicopter in Mumbai. The Kafkaesque plot unfolded in April at AirWorks’ Mumbai international airport hangar, when pebbles were found in the fuel tank of the helicopter. Following this discovery, Bharat Borge, the man who spotted the pebbles in the fuel tank, was found dead on a railway track in a Mumbai suburb with a suicide note in his pocket.
Ahlers Aerospace, to install a night vision goggle compatible interior lighting system on Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada) 430 helicopters, STC SR09546RC
To compile our biennial Top 10 lists, we survey dozens of airframe MRO providers around the world, and we rely completely on their integrity in providing accurate, relevant numbers. We ask only for their civil aircraft airframe maintenance man-hours—excluding component, engine, line maintenance and any other related aftermarket man-hour figures. For example, we queried PEMCO World Air Services, the commercial arm of the former PEMCO Air Group, but not Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc., which emerged from the split-up of the group with all of the military work.
J P Instruments, to install the J.P. Instruments EDM-960 primary engine data management system on numerous general aviation aircraft models, STC SA01828SE
FlightSafety International says 40 of its full flight simulators have been qualified under the EASA flight simulator training device catch-up process, which allows European licensed flight crews under EASA to train with simulators located outside EASA member states’ jurisdiction. The 40 simulators are located at 15 FlightSafety learning centers in North America. Three new simulators at its London/Farnborough training center also received JAA Level D qualification from the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority.
Gulf Air signed a 10-year OnPoint services agreement with GE Aviation for its latest CFM56-5B engines that will power 15 Airbus A320s slated for delivery between late 2009 and 2013. Gulf Air currently operates 10 CFM56-5-powered A320 aircraft. The $100 million, 10-year MRO contract covers 30 CFM56-5B engines with GE’s Tech Insertion configuration, valued at $270 million, along with a handful of spares.
GKN Aerospace now is A J Walter Aviation’s preferred supplier of composite and metallic structural repairs for MRO customers, per a five-year agreement. GKN also will be responsible for assessing and costing the repair of each item and for completing each repair as agreed with AJW within a 30-day turnaround time. It will warranty each repair for 12 months.
