In 2012, the best and brightest technology for the MRO sector will surely relate to making data simpler and more mobile. Although some companies already have started to see how tablets, digital records and augmented reality can help them smooth their workflow, most maintenance operations are still behind the times when it comes to sharing data digitally. The best part about this trend is that most of these emerging tools will be available in the very near future. We expect these 10 technologies to be game-changers for MRO in 2012 and beyond.
In September, IATA projected European airlines would deliver a meek collective profit of $300 million next year, but that outlook is likely to be worse now.
The Boeing 787, which entered service in September, is considered a fully e-enabled aircraft, generating and capturing more data than any airplane in Boeing's history. With millions of lines of code, and onboard computer servers connecting to airplane systems via fiber optics and ethernet, “it's like a computer with wings bolted on,” said one of our customers.
Engine maintenance, repair and overhaul will outpace the total commercial aviation MRO market growth this year, largely because engine events are more expensive. The main driver is “engine parts [that] continue to get marked up at a rate exceeding CPI on an annual basis, often in the 5-7% range in terms of annual increases,” says David Marcontell, TeamSAI president and COO. Material expenses represent 70-80% of total engine MRO costs, so this obviously impacts the engine aftermarket value.
The availability of instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) has pitted manufacturers against repair stations for years. Repair stations have pushed for greater access to ICAs, while manufacturers have carefully guarded what they deem to be proprietary information that they developed at great cost.
Eliminating duplicated maintenance required by different regulatory agencies could take out billions of dollars of maintenance and engineering work on leased aircraft when they transfer across borders. Given that 40% of the world's commercial aircraft fleet is leased, and that figure continues to climb, these costs if not corrected will grow with the expanding fleet.
MRO Prospector predicts the GE90 will only generate 157 engine overhauls this year, but less than 15% of the -115B fleet has experienced a shop visit. This compares to the GE90-94B—all of which have gone in for a visit, says Steve Shaknaitis, GE90 MRO leader. He says a typical first run is 25,000-35,000 hours, and “GE provides MRO services and support to about 70% of the GE90 fleet.”
Chromalloy added Daljinder Kaur to its team as sales and marketing manager of its U.K. operation in Nottingham. She previously was European business development manager at Trans World Alloys.
Spairliners, a JV between Air France and Lufthansa Technik, appointed Oliver Mazzucchelli as its new CEO managing director. Mazzucchelli comes to the position after serving as sales director, regional fleets for AFI KLM E&M.
Azra (dba AeroTech Services) reissued STC to modify wing inboard and outboard aft trailing edge flaps on Boeing 737-200, -200C, -300 and -400 series aircraft, STC ST01625LA
Mubadala Aerospace has formed a new senior leadership team to manage its MRO companies, Zurich-based SR Technics and Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT). The United Arab Emirates-based company says it will use the new executive team to create synergies between the two MROs. However, both SR Technics and ADAT will remain separate legal entities. The new leadership appointments are Homaid Al Shemmari, chairman of the MRO network; Jeremy Chan executive vice chairman; and James Stewart group CEO.
Super98 issued STC to installation of modifications to improve the airplane cruise performance of Boeing DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87) and MD-88 aircraft, STC ST02372LA
Sabena Technics has signed a three-year agreement with ULS Airlines Cargo for component repair on its fleet of three Airbus A300-B4 and three Airbus A310-300 aircraft. Both companies have collaborated on repair management for some years.
Kelowna Flightcraft operates heavy maintenance facilities in Kelowna, B.C., Canada and Hamilton, Ont., Canada. Kelowna is a preferred vendor for Aviation Partners Boeing winglets and undertook the task of installing the prototype winglets for the Boeing 757-300. Overall, Kelowna has installed more than 70 sets of both Aviation Partners and Quiet Wing winglets and specializes in installing winglets on both provisioned and non-provisioned aircraft.
For months the Transportation Security Administration's final rulemaking to impose new security rules for repair stations in the U.S. and abroad has appeared imminent. TSA issued the notice of proposed rulemaking in 2009 for new security requirements, including a mandate for all repair stations to have security programs in place.
StandardAero announced that it has appointed Jeffrey Wood as senior VP of its airlines and fleet business, which is the largest of the company's six business sectors. Wood will take over for interim leader Jennifer McNeill, who is returning to her former role as VP sales, marketing and business development for airlines and fleets. Airframes
Timco Aerosystems opened its new 120,000 sq. ft. aircraft interiors manufacturing facility in Wallburg, N.C. in November. The facility will add capacity to Timco's manufacturing operations in Pacoima, Calif., including assembly of its FeatherWeight seats. Training
Whether the radome conventionally has a honeycomb or foam core, testing for moisture ingress involves the use of either a thermal imaging system or a moisture meter. Thermal imaging requires the radome to be heated to detect moisture. In contrast, technicians simply hold a moisture meter that relies on eddy currents against the radome to detect moisture—making it the more common method.
Turkish Technic has signed a landing gear maintenance services agreement for five Airbus A320 family aircraft with IzAir. The work, which includes landing gear removal and installation as well as overhaul activities, will be carried out at Turkish Technic's Istanbul facility. It plans to complete the overhaul of five sets of landing gear in June 2013. IT
Ametek Ameron (dba Mass Systems) reissued STCs to replace Kidde fire extinguisher and Pacific Scientific fire extinguisher cartridges in fire extinguisher bottles on various transport category aircraft, including ATR, Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Eurocopter, Fokker, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas and Saab aircraft, STCs ST00952LA and ST00885LA
Forrest Gump once quipped “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.” The same can be said for the business of repairing aircraft on ground, or AOG. When the phone rings, AOG professionals never know what kind of repair they're going to get or where they're going to go—or whether customs will even let them into the country.
