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.
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
Abrisa offers color correction filters for LED lights that allow customers to diffuse brightness instead of replacing bulbs. The dichroic LED filters are designed to be interchangeable for color variation, light diffusion or dramatic lighting purposes. The filters come with transparent or antireflective coatings and can be made with custom designs, patterns and screen prints. Sizes range from micro-optics up to 27 in. in diameter; the filters can operate between -60 degrees C and 100 degrees C. Abrisa, 200 S. Hallock Dr., Santa Paula, Calif. 93060
Midcoast Aviation, amended STC to install a cabin interior arrangement, passenger oxygen system and emergency lighting on Bombardier CL-604 model aircraft, STC ST02543CH-D
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.
Miro Technologies received Frost & Sullivan’s 2009 European Defense Logistics Product Line Strategy Award for its insight into customer needs and product demands.
Northrop Grumman redelivered the U.S. Air Force’s first B-2 Stealth bomber equipped with a new radar, following installation of radar hardware developed by Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems under contract to the OEM and prime contractor. The Air Force plans to equip several operational B-2 aircraft with the new radar as part of the system development and demonstration phase of its B-2 radar modernization program. It will carry out more field tests with these aircraft to gather data in support of future fielding decisions.
Northwest Aerospace Technologies, to remove existing inflight entertainment overhead monitors and install new Imagik 17-in. LCD bulkhead and overhead monitors in Boeing 757-200 aircraft, STC ST01982SE
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.
L3 Communications Aeromet, amended STC to install a Dual Universal UNS-1D flight management system on McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 series aircraft, STC ST01513AT
IFF test modes 1, 2 and TACAN now come standard on Aeroflex’s IFR 6015 ramp test set. The battery powered, portable test unit should be compact, lightweight and weatherproof to test aviation transponder modes 1,2,3A/C/S including European Elementary and Enhanced Surveillance, TCAS I, II and Military E-TCAS, TIS and DME/TACAN. New capabilities allow the 6015 test unit to emulate several different TACAN test sets, including AN/ASM-663, AN/ARM-184 and Bradley 2650 and 2655.
IAI’s Bedek Aviation Group picked AAR Corp. to provide the cargo system for its soon-to-launch 767-300 conversion program. AAR will manufacture the system, which will be installed in the aircraft IAI Bedek is converting from passenger configuration to its General Market Freighter configuration, at its Goldsboro, N.C. facility.
Mubadala Development Co. acquired a controlling share of SR Technics on April 21, buying out Istithmar’s 30% share, for total ownership of 70%. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise continues to hold a 30% share in the company. Facilities
GKN Aerospace and German laser technology specialist SLCR Lasertechnik (SLCR) intend to develop automated laser technology that will provide improved repairs to composite structures, faster and at a lower cost. The companies are working on an automated laser process to replace the time consuming, manual grinding of composite surfaces currently used to prepare them for bonded repairs. The new process removes damaged material, leaving the remaining material fibers and resin intact.
Air France Chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta said in 2004 the merger of Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines would create a “fair and balanced” partnership. At the time, critics questioned how two large major carriers with different national and corporate cultures and operating methodologies could co-exist. But after five years, the marriage seems to be working. The Air France-KLM merger created one the world’s largest airlines in terms of revenue and fleet size.
Champion Aerospace, reissued STC to replace Bendix S4LN-20, -21, -1209 or -1227 model magnetos with Slick model 4250 and 4251 magnetos on various Textron Lycoming O-235 engines, STC SE888GL
The crash of an Indonesian air force C-130 transport aircraft in East Java in May drew attention to Indonesia’s efforts to modernize its military fleet. The May 20 crash killed at least 101 people, including two on the ground. About 110 troops and family members were on board, headed to Iswahyudi air force base from Jakarta.
AFI and KLM E&MTotal revenue (FY 2007/2008): €2.86 billion External customer revenue: €969 million Income: €63 million Employees: 15,000 Network of line stations worldwide: 151
STS Holdings changed its name to STS Aviation Group in April, and rebranded its service divisions to include the STS name. STS Services was renamed STS AeroStaff Services; ATR Line Maintenance, which STS Holdings acquired in May 2006, now is STS Line Maintenance; and MOS Engineering, acquired in 2007, now is STS Engineering Solutions. Parts and supply chain management business STS Component Solutions retained its name. Training
Ameco Beijing’s board of directors named Hu Yuliang general manager to succeed Chai Weixi, whom Air China appointed general manager of Air China Technics.
Lufthansa Technik Malta launched widebody overhaul services in April with Livingston Energy Flight, which will send its Airbus A330s to the new hangar complex for the work through September. Lufthansa Technik Sofia opened its second line for Boeing and Airbus base maintenance with the April arrival of an Ural Airlines A320.
