Lufthansa Technik scored two big wins for its photo-luminescent strips for commercial aircraft. It signed a preferred supplier agreement with Airbus on March 31, making Lufthansa Technik’s Guideline ColourFit emergency floor-path guidance system standard on Airbus’ complete line of aircraft. And, C&D Zodiac, one of the main suppliers for Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft, selected LHT to supply the Guideline ColourFit floor-path marking for use in the 100-149 seat aircraft.
Snecma announced several changes to its management structure. Yves Prete, formerly head of Sichuan Snecma Aero-engine Maintenance in China, now is VP of Snecma’s MRO division. Jean Massot, who had been SVP of Snecma Services since last January, now is VP, Sales & Marketing. Michel Brioude was named VP, spare parts. He most recently was director of commercial engines for Snecma Services. Lydie Guerville becomes VP, improvement initiatives, from her recent post as head of the rotating parts machining production unit. And, Jean-Jacques Orsini now is VP of quality.
Two new LED rechargeable, polymer flashlights from Streamlight offer users C4 LED technology, which should provide two to three times the output of previous LEDs, up to a 50,000-hour lifetime and extreme shock resistance, according to the manufacturer.
Austrian Airlines returned a Boeing 767 to service after TIMCO Aviation installed winglets on the aircraft. It took 25 days to complete the installation on OE-LAE, with the bulk of the time spent strengthening the wing and installing sensors, with only one to two days for actual winglet installation, said Austrian spokesman Michael Braun. Austrian plans to equip a total of four 767s with winglets, with two more potentially getting converted as early as May. Braun said the fourth 767 will get upgraded at its next C check.
Aerotron Air Power, to install upgraded Yaw Damper Servos for rudder flight control on various Boeing 757 and 767 series aircraft, STCs ST03599AT and ST03598AT
Honeywell International, reissued STCs to modify the electrical system and install various electronic and avionic systems on certain Eurocopter, Agusta and Sikorsky helicopters, STCs SH4228SW, SH305NM, SH304NM, SH301NM, SH300NM, SH284WE, SH2224NM and SH2216NM
Bodycote Testing’s European Technology Center in Linköping, Sweden, gained Nadcap approval to test composite materials for the aerospace industry. The laboratory is one of the first in the world to receive approval for this type of testing.
Armstrong Aerospace, reissued STC to install a Honeywell RESCU 406AF emergency locator transmitter system on various Airbus A300B4 aircraft, STC ST01940CH
All 256 recommendations from the Sikorsky Sea King Board of Inquiry report have been implemented, laying the foundation for ongoing improvement of safety in Navy aviation, the Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Russ Crane, announced on March 18. The Board of Inquiry report into the Sea King accident on Nias Island, Indonesia, in April 2005 was publicly released on June 21, 2007. The 256 recommendations are far-reaching and include a major review of airworthiness, risk management and safety, aviation maintenance regulations, training and cultural matters.
Shannon Aerospace appointed Malcolm Chandler sales area manager for customers in France, Ireland, and the U.K. Chandler previously was sales manager for ATC Lasham, focused on maintenance sales for Boeing 737 and 757 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
Phoenix Air Group, reissued STCs to install an electrical system and a Chrysler Pentastar Aviation auxiliary generator adapter assembly on Gulfstream G-159 aircraft, STC SA1699GL and SA1681GL
HEATCON Composite Systems aims to offer a third option to repair stations for composite and metal bond repair processes that require positive pressure according to part manufacturer specifications. Previously, two basic options existed for repair operations that carry out these types of repairs. One, invest in an autoclave, along with the infrastructure and supplies it requires. Or two, build an exacting mechanical device to apply pressure. The composite repair company’s new RepairClave device aims to make a cost and space efficient alternative available to MROs.
Ionce had a boss—let’s call him Mr. Yester-year—who stubbornly clung to the old adage that of the three attributes of fast, cheap, and reliable, you can only pick two. I have been reminded of Mr. Yester-year recently when speaking to a number of asset managers who tell me that ultra-high levels of consistent serviceability cannot be achieved cost effectively. In my view, these asset managers, and Mr. Yester-year, are just plain wrong.
Dana Stanley doesn’t wear earplugs or steel-toed boots to work anymore, but she fondly remembers the days when she did. “I didn’t want to leave the flight line,” she said, explaining that she worked for more than a decade as a production manager before becoming chief of quality, safety and environmental for the 402nd Maintenance Wing at Robins Air Force Base.
Interturbine Logistik and Schneller signed a distribution agreement that will see Interturbine become the quick ship partner for Schneller’s AerFilm LHR and AerMat 9000 products.
AKV Inc., to install an AKV cycle counter on Overseas Aircraft Support Bell UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1H and UH-1L and 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B and 210 helicopters, STC SR02204LA
The U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch has determined that the internal failure of a United Air Lines’ Boeing 777’s right generator caused the electrical fire event that occurred at London-Heathrow on Feb. 26, 2007. According to the AAIB report, the right generator’s circuit breaker experienced “severe internal arcing and short-circuits,” which melted other components and led to a fire that spread underneath a floor panel and damaged the opposite electrical panel.
