Just as MROs tout high quality, safety and turnaround time as imperative elements to successful maintenance, Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings is positioning its full-fledged entry as a commercial aviation paint supplier in a similar fashion. Its Jet Glo Express coating systems, which consists of a pre-treatment, corrosion protective primer and topcoat, is designed to be applied within a few days, last a long time and maintain a vivid appearance, while delivering green benefits.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. added two new MROs to its global network of authorized facilities, in addition to restructuring its customer support organization in Europe. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based Arabian Aircraft Service Co. (ARABASCO) joins the Hawker Beechcraft network to support the Hawker 800 series, and the MRO plans to add other models, such as the 900XP. Located at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, ARABASCO is the first Saudi Arabian maintenance facility with which Hawker Beechcraft has formed an alliance.
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.
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
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
Singapore Technologies Aerospace again sits atop our charts with more than eight million man-hours amassed in 2008, but O&M's biennial survey of the airframe MRO market reveals burgeoning competition in the lower ranks and changes in the middle ground. Data points to a shift among top players and illustrates the impact of the down economy on business. Companies interviewed by O&M cited negative market conditions ranging from parked aircraft to loss of major customers and shut downs of major facilities.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. picked PartsBase’s search engine services to streamline procurement processes for post-production aircraft parts and repair services. PartsBase’s software features function sets designed to assist locating, pricing and bidding aircraft parts and services.
A new digital valve controller is available from Tridak. The model 345 unit can be used to control any pneumatically operated dispensing valve, including both single and double acting pneumatically operated valves. Its manufacturer suggests it is well-suited for actuating valves in high-volume production settings; the model 345 unit has a 0.001 to 10 second cycle time range, settable in 0.0001 second increments.
Armstrong Aerospace, reissued STC to install a Honeywell RESCU 406AF emergency locator transmitter system on McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 aircraft, STC ST01997CH
Qantas finished deploying Mxi’s Maintenix software for its first three A380 aircraft . Its A380 Fast Track implementation is phase one of Project Marlin, which will implement Mxi’s Maintenix software across the Qantas fleet. Qantas operates more than 130 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and it has 17 more A380s on order.
Aeroxchange expanded its agreement with Delta Air Lines through 2017 , building on an existing contract with Northwest Airlines. Delta plans to roll out Aeroxchange’s Marketplace e-commerce solution in phases, beginning with its AeroBuy procurement product and then AeroRepair, which tracks the repair order lifecycle.
Component Control is integrating Avtrak GlobalNet’s Web-based maintenance tracking system into its Quantum software, to allow users to monitor maintenance progress from anywhere in the world via the Avtrak program. Two-way communication and automatic updates are designed to ensure all data is up to date, Component Control says.
Lufthansa Technik Switzerland launched a new VIP cabin interior facility in Basel, adjoining its maintenance hangar there. Its extended portfolio includes technical services for Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jets.
Lockheed Martin added the Turkish Air Force (THK) 2nd Air Supply and Maintenance Center in Kayseri, Turkey, to its global network of authorized C-130 service facilities on April 17.
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.
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.
GENOA—Sukhoi must create a tailored support system capable of meeting the specific requirements of a variety of regional operators—costumers who demand auxiliary support, out of the door service, competitive prices and a quality guarantee. These are, according to Alessandro Franzoni, CEO of Superjet International, the keys to crafting a successful aftermarket service for the Sukhoi Superjet 100, the 95-seat regional aircraft being developed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC), the civil arm of the Sukhoi group.
The Obama administration in May unveiled a $16 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2010 that focuses on the Next Generation (NextGen) air traffic control system and controller staffing issues. The fiscal 2010 budget sidesteps the funding issue, but only for a year. The administration expects to renew its push for dramatic changes in aviation funding beginning in 2011, the administration budget documents say.
Electronic Cable Specialists, to install EZMount Arm mechanical mounting assemblies on the lower frame of cockpit sliding windows on McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft, STC ST02708CH
Chromalloy joint venture BELAC reduced the price of its high pressure turbine blades by 9% in early May under a new pricing structure. The company estimates the operators can save $200,000-$300,000 on a single set of BELAC HPT turbine blades over OEM products.
Implementing a big information technology project is akin to having a baby—while you eagerly await its arrival, not everything goes as perfectly as you planned, according to Ruben Arguero, VP of the MRO business unit at Mexicana. In both cases, there’s a lot to plan, before and after the birth.
