_Overhaul & Maintenance

Columbia Helicopters , amended STC to install Honeywell solid state flight data recorder on Boeing Defense & Space Group 107-II and Kawasaki Heavy Industries KV107-II helicopters, STC SR00923SE

Aviation Specialties Unlimited , one only STCs to install a supplemental lighting system on various Eurocopter France AS-350 and Bell 430 helicopters, Several STCs

Conferences and Exhibitions Jan. 21–22 MRO Middle East 2009 Conference & Exhibition, Dubai, UAE Jan. 27–28 Eco-Aviation & Fuel Management Forum, Miami, Fla. March 11–12 DTAR, Washington, D.C. March 26–27 ADS-B Management Forum, Washington, D.C. Contacts Registration Info: Anita Joyce Wright, registration producer, 800-240-7645 in the U.S. or +1 212-904-6344; fax +1 212-904-3334

Mod Works , amended STC to install Vision Micro Systems VM1000/EC100 digital/analog engine instrumentation and caution advisory system on various Mooney, Piper, Tiger, True Flight and Navion aircraft, STC SA01516AT

AeroMech Inc. , amended STC for group Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum approval for Falcon 10 aircraft, STC ST01187SE

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Caribbean Airlines plans to launch a technical apprenticeship program this year to recruit and train maintenance workers, following recent moves to bring MRO back in-house. In July, the Trinidad and Tobago-based carrier finished its first “ in-sourced ” C check on a Boeing 737-800NG, and it finished up a second in late November. [See Interview, p.14 for more on Caribbean Airlines.]

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Embraer will implement Quantum Control ’ s enterprise resource planning software for its new U.S. Embraer Executive Jets service centers, set to open this quarter. The OEM also uses Quantum software at its Windsor Locks, Conn., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., executive jet service centers.

Compiled by Elyse Moody
American Airlines VP-Line Maintenance Danny Martinez is retiring and will be succeeded by Ken Durst, former managing director-line maintenance for American’s Southwest division. Durst formerly was general manager of American’s MRO base in Tulsa, Okla.

Compiled by Elyse Moody
SriLankan Airlines finished rolling out Miro Technologies ’ AuRa suite of enterprise management and business intelligence maintenance, engineering and materials management modules across its maintenance and engineering department. The implementation process took less than six months after initial evaluations.

STOL Aviation , reissued STC to modify the powerplant installation, fuselage (other than weld assembly), wing flaps and tail wheel installation to conform to the designs of the corresponding installations, assemblies and components of the Interstate Engineering and Type Design Co. Model S-1B2 airplane (Army L-6 XL-6), STC SA622AL

By Frank Jackman
Four years ago, a partnership with PMA maker Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp. was an important element in Air Canada Technical Services’ strategy as the MRO provider and its parent company, Air Canada, emerged from bankruptcy. In an interview in the December 2004 issue of O&M, Bill Zoeller, then-president of ACTS, cited the relationship with Chromalloy as one of a number of global alliances ACTS was in the process of forming. He went on to say that using Chromalloy-made parts for the GE CF34 engine it had been able to significantly reduce overhaul costs.

Staff
In partnership with Safety-Kleen, Kimberly-Clark Professional offers safe disposal options for its WypAll disposable wipers. It says the disposable wipers are safer than reusable ones, which can contain traces of oil, grease and heavy metals even when freshly laundered. Its disposal methods aim to make using disposable wipers more convenient and more “green.”

Staff
The Helicopter Association International announced winners of its 2009 Salute to Excellence Awards. HAI recognized Tony Cramp , senior advisor air safety and global projects for Shell Aircraft International in Rotterdam, with its Joe Mashman Safety Award. Rich Higgins , helicopter crew chief for Cablevision Systems Corp. in Farmingdale, N.Y., won its Helicopter Maintenance Award. And, Jeffery L. Peabody , a maintenance technician with Air Logistics of Alaska, in Fairbanks, Alaska, will receive the Aviation Repair Specialist Award. HAI will present the awards on Feb.

Meeker Aviation Services , to install mounting provisions for a tail boom radar altimeter on Bell 407 helicopters, STC SR02162LA

Compiled by Elyse Moody
M7 Aerospace named Jay W. Trees director of sales and marketing for MRO. Trees previously held senior positions with Avchem, Aerospace Products International, Inc. and ERIKS Aerospace, Inc.

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Embraer will implement Quantum Control ’ s enterprise resource planning software for its new U.S. Embraer Executive Jets service centers, set to open this quarter. The OEM also uses Quantum software at its Windsor Locks, Conn., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., executive jet service centers.

John Fricker
The Indian Air Force (IAF) can address an alarming dip in its operational capabilities by upgrading its fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000 combat aircraft, even as it evaluates a global tender floated for purchasing 126 new combat aircraft, claimed France’s Thales major electronics group, on the verge of inking a major modernization contract in early November.

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Lockheed Martin will apply its P-3 Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP) to Canada’s fleet of CP-140 Aurora aircraft under a newly announced $156 million contract. Ten Canadian CP-140 Aurora aircraft will receive Life Extension Kits consisting of all-new outer wings, center wing lower surface assemblies, horizontal stabilizers, wing and horizontal stabilizer leading edges, and various other items to be installed as needed.

Gulfstream Aerospace , to install a Raytheon (AlliedSignal) AN/APX-100B (V) IFF system on G-IV aircraft, STC ST02746AT-D

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Jet Aviation Basel opened a 3,300-sq.-meter (35,520-sq.-ft.) hangar extension that will be used for Dassault Falcon completions. Jet Aviation said the hangar was completed in just seven months and cost CHF6 million. The hangar will boost completions and free up space for maintenance in other hangars.

—Elyse Moody
“Many defense organizations are outsourcing maintenance and modification programs to the industry on availability and capability contracts,” IFS CEO Alastair Sorbie said in a company statement. “The industry has a lot to gain by improving the turnaround times by introducing more sophisticated planning,”

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Embraer will implement Quantum Controls enterprise resource planning software for its new U.S. Embraer Executive Jets service centers, set to open this quarter. The OEM also uses Quantum software at its Windsor Locks, Conn., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., executive jet service centers.

Frank Jackman
O&M: Bedek opened new hangars in July. Are they primarily for passenger to freighter conversions, or do you plan to do heavy airframe work there, as well?

Compiled by Elyse Moody
AAR Corp. is carrying out mods on six Allegiant Air MD-80s at its Will Rogers World Airport facility in Oklahoma City. Work on the first aircraft began in October.

Compiled by Elyse Moody
Airbus Americas added Tom Anderson , recently of Virgin America, as SVP, Airbus North America Customer Services. He will report to Airbus Americas President and CEO Barry Eccleston and succeeds Francois Mourareau, who is retiring after nearly 40 years with Airbus.