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.]
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.
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
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.
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
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.]
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.
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.”
The U.S. Army Aviation Missile Command (AMCOM) awarded DynCorp International a firm fixed-price contract in November, for Kuwait Air Force (KAF) support with a Maintenance Augmentation Team for its 16 Apache AH-64D attack helicopters. The contract is valued at about $11.2 million for the first two years, increasing to more than $16 million if an option year is exercised, to extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2011.
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
Following checks, rectification and upgrade work at the Aerospace Maintenance Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., deliveries started in August of four surplus U.S. Navy Sikorsky S-61D-4/UH-3H Sea Kings, plus two recently retired from NAS Pensacola, Fla. They are being shipped to Argentina’s Naval Aviation Command for scheduled completion next March, although two are being supplied as spares sources.
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.
“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,”
A J Walter Aviation launched AJW Aviation Management Services , led by Chairman Brian Doran. The business aims to deliver complete project management for the private and corporate jet sector, including asset sourcing and purchase; design, completion and refurbishment; component support and logistics; operational management; training and recruitment.
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.
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.
AAR Corp. elected Donald J. Wetekam an officer of the company. Wetekam is group VP of AAR’s maintenance, repair and overhaul segment and oversees its domestics and international MRO business.
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.
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.
