Ametek acquired U.K.-based Muirhead Aerospace, the maker of motion technology parts and avionics MRO provider. The Esterline Technologies Corp. subsidiary is to join Ametek’s Aerospace and Defense division.
Flight Display Systems named Joe Little VP, research and development, to oversee the Alpharetta, Ga.-based company’s development of inflight entertainment solutions for business and commercial aircraft.
The U.S. Congress was notified Sept. 26 of a possible foreign military sale to France of upgrade kits for four Boeing E-3F Sentry AWACS aircraft. Upgrades would include Block 40/45 Mission Computing and Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) Interface, plus enhanced ESM, Mode 5/S Identification Friend or Foe, related spare and repair parts, and other support equipment. With options, program costs could reach $400 million.
Onboard Systems , amended STC to build and install an Onboard Systems Model E-51 cargo hook load cell system on various MD Helicopter 369, 500N and 600N models, STC SH4908NM
The first Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat) BAE Hawk Mk.51/51A advanced jet trainer undergoing an avionics upgrade by Patria made its initial flight at Jämsä, in late September. The digital glass cockpit and systems upgrade is the second phase of a program launched in December 2006. Finland has 49 Hawk 51s, mostly assembled by Patria in 1980-1985, plus 18 ex-Swiss Hawk Mk.66s acquired in 2007.
Duncan Aviation added Scott Mehlhose to its Battle Creek, Mich., engine service sales team, where he will work in Pratt & Whitney, GE CF34 and Honeywell APU products. Mehlhose previously was engine lead technician for P&W engines.
3M expanded its PPS Paint Preparation System with a new mini-pressure cup that allows users to mix and spray products from the same container using a pressure-fed gun. The Type H/O Mini Pressure Cup incorporates many of the features of 3M’s 28-ounce size pressure cup. The six-ounce container also is disposable, and it is designed to make the application of gel coats or varnishes easy with high-output air flow from the pressure cup. 3M says the mini-cup is ideal for spot repairs, finishing work and other small touch-up jobs.
U.S. Airways picked Goodrich to refurbish the thrust reversers on its CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A320s. The custom-tailored program is set to last through 2012, and it also provides initial exchange units. Joint Ventures/Acquisitions
Air China, China Eastern and China Southern signed a cooperative maintenance agreement they hope will improve aircraft service and operational competitiveness, said an airline representative. The deal signed at the Zhuhai airshow is the first such agreement between these carriers and covers line maintenance, parts and material pooling, repairs and even maintenance training. Ameco Beijing could stand to benefit from this agreement because it offers all of the services covered under the three airline’s maintenance pact.
A J Walter Aviation and private Danish airline Jet Time signed a five-year , power-by-the-hour agreement under which A J Walter also will maintain a consignment stock in Copenhagen.
At the beginning of the new year the Nigerian federal government will ban aircraft operating without an emergency locator transmitter, or ELT, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Nigeria also won’t allow aircraft to be registered or to receive an air operator certificate without the device installed. Nigeria’s CAA announced the decision at a meeting to review a search and rescue operation that involved a Hawker Beechcraft 1900 that disappeared in March over Obudu in Cross River State, ASN said.
The Australian Safety Transport Board will take a closer look at a flight control system component in investigating the uncommanded pitch-down event experienced Oct. 7 by a Qantas Airbus A330 flying from Singapore to Perth.
Royal Jordanian Airlines will implement TRAX Maintenance’s EVO application, a suite of software that manages technical records, materials management and production. TRAX says the Amman-based airline is the second Middle Eastern carrier to pick its software this year.
Man Lift Engineering’s new scissor lift is designed specifically for use in hazardous locations such as aircraft painting, oil and gas processing, and dust explosion locations. It measures 32 ft. tall, with a 99.5-in. by 68-in. platform and 1,200-lb. capacity. Other standard features include a 3-ft. roll out, extendable deck and a battery condition indicator. Optional features comprise: Three-way bump protection, a movement alarm, 3/8-in. lines for air to the platform, a 250-amp hr. battery and a 40-amp charger.
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.
BorescopesRus offers both portable and tool cart-mounted borescopes, recently picked by Premier Turbines and Dallas Airmotive for inspection operations. Both models are designed to be easy to use and compact with cost-saving features. The portable model is equipped with a handheld display and a shoulder carried, battery powered light source. It also features VPU built-in recording capability and should be suitable for inspections far away from light sources or in difficult to access situations.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Customer Services and Support opened a regional support office at Garching , near Munich. The facility is Bombardier’s first customer support office in Europe.
Delta G. Design , issued STC to install an EMS Technologies SATCOM AMT-3800 High Gain Antenna and DLNA on Boeing 757-200 series aircraft, STC ST10920SC
On Oct. 3, Congress received Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification of a possible $250 million foreign military sale to Taiwan, to upgrade four Grumman E-2T 2000E AEW aircraft to Hawkeye 2000 configuration, with associated equipment and services. Taiwan had previously purchased four E-2Ts in 1996, and is updating these aircraft to meet the same configuration of the most recent 2004 deliveries of two E-2 Hawkeye 2000Es. Prime contractor will be Northrop Grumman Corp.
