Kelly Aerospace Energy Systems, reissued STC to install the JanAero Devices Division Cycle air conditioning system on various Cessna 310 model aircraft, STC SA775CE
CAE received FAA Inspection Authorization approval for six of its e-Learning maintenance training courses, which cover Boeing 737NG engine ground operations, advanced digital principles, human factors, maintenance diagnostic systems and reduced vertical separation minimums. It signed a technical training agreement with Canada’s Jazz Air, under which Jazz maintenance training programs will be licensed to CAE.
The Commemorative Air Force brought James C. “Woody” Woodford on board as director of maintenance for its headquarters in Midland, Texas. Woodford, a 27-year CAF member, will report to Bob Stenevik, VP of operations and maintenance.
Over the past few decades, we have seen a shift within the aviation industry to be more environmentally responsible. Although well-intentioned, some argue that environmentally friendly business can be at odds with profitable business. In my view, this logic is flawed. Environmentally friendly business practices and improving the bottom line don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I believe the crude oil sticker shock of 2008 taught our industry some important lessons and also emphasized the need to find creative solutions to change.
During the Internet boom, retailers and consumer packaged goods manufacturers began talking about a new kind of demand-driven supply chain. Rather than build product based on historical forecasts, load up a warehouse and then push it out to the marketplace, savvy supply chain managers would capture real-time demand from point of sale systems and cash registers and use the emerging supply chain planning and management tools to make things according to demand. Sell one, make one.
Nayak Aircraft Service will offer several support options for the Sukhoi Superjet, according to Sales Manager Friedrich-Wilhelm Wilms. These will include both line maintenance and base maintenance, with structural repair in authorized service centers and technical training once the program is in operation.
Tunisair Technics selected Messier Services to maintain and overhaul landing gear on 10 of its Airbus A319/A320 aircraft. Messier Services’ U.K. facility is completing the work that will last until 2014. Engines
Lufthansa Technik’s ‘nice’ inflight entertainment and cabin management system became available for retrofit to Bombardier Global and Challenger business jets. The retrofit is part of a package offered by Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services during D check inspections; it includes cabin refurbishment and complete repainting of the aircraft. Parts/Components
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.
Dallas Airmotive signed a five-year engine service agreement with Avantair to repair, maintain, overhaul and provide field service on PT6A-66 engines that power the operator’s Piaggio Avanti turboprop aircraft. Dallas Airmotive has been a PT6 OEM-authorized distributor and designated overhaul facility since 1967.
I look forward every year to AVIATION WEEK’S MRO Americas and MRO Military conferences in the spring as opportunities to get a sense of the industry’s mood and direction. This year’s event was one of conflicting signals.
BEIJING—China’s newly formed military aircraft and missile company, Avic Defense, is emphasizing maintenance as part of a business model that it has expanded far beyond just making original equipment. General Manager Wang Yawei says the company will forge a complete value chain covering the whole life cycle of its products, from weapons system predevelopment to maintenance and support guarantees for equipment that it has sold.
Qantas cut 500 more management positions in mid-April, to slash costs and streamline the airline. CEO Alan Joyce said a statement that Qantas wants to avoid redundancies but is exploring alternatives to further cuts, such as part time work, various types of leave and other tactics. He said the the group’s diversified business portfolio and financial management have “cushioned” the impact of market conditions on its business. “Taking further action on costs and capacity will ensure we can continue to benefit from these strategies,” Joyce said.
StandardAero appointed Chris Swan VP/general manager of its component services operation in Cincinnati. Swan joins the DAE company from GE Aviation, where he served as regional director, Americas for commercial field service among other roles. Airframes
The Bell Helicopter Training Academy launched its first online course for customer service facilities that maintain Bell 412 products. The 412-CSF field maintenance refresher course, available through Bell’s Learning Management System, allows technicians to complete refresher training requirements and earn full Bell Achievement Ranking System training credits online. IT
Madrid Aerospace Services delivered its first overhauled landing gear , an Airbus A320 gear belonging to Iberia Airlines, in early April. The 50/50 joint venture of ST Aerospace and Iberia Maintenance, formed in February 2008 and approved by the European Commission last June, operates two lines, one for A320s and one for A330/340s, but it plans to expand its capacity to six lines. Located near Madrid Barajas Airport, Madrid Aerospace Services received AESA and EASA approval in December 2008.
In an extensive move toward expanding its long-term engineering operations, Canberra’s Defense Materiel Organization (DMO) awarded a contract on March 11 to Australian Aerospace and subcontractor Lockheed Martin to provide Through-Life Support (TLS) services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s 12 C-130J Hercules transports. DMO Aerospace Division Head, Air Vice-Marshal Colin Thorne, said that the $A292 million ($192.46 million) TLS contract “will provide innovative solutions to C-130J maintenance and reduce future costs of ownership.
The Longbow Limited Liability Co., marked the first successful powered flight of the Radar Electronics Unit (REU) configuration of the Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) onboard an AH-64D Apache Block III prototype attack helicopter. The joint venture of Northrop Grumman Corp. and Lockheed Martin’s radar is designed to enable the Apache Longbow to rapidly search, detect, locate, classify, prioritize and engage both moving and stationary targets, while improving power ratios and providing built-in processor expansion growth. Parts/Components
