Rockwell Collins received a contract to upgrade the Royal Thai Air Force's fleet of C-130s with an integrated commu- nications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management package. The avionics, part of Rockwell Collins' Flight2 avionics system, will be included in six RTAF C-130s. Rockwell Collins and TAI will install the avionics on the first two aircraft, and then TAI will install the remaining four.
DSM Somos announced the commercialization of NanoTool, the third generation of Somos ProtoComposite materials. DSM Somos is a leading developer of sterolithography (SL) resins for the rapid prototyping industry. NanoTool allows for faster processing and reduced finishing requirements, which quickens part production, because it is heavily filled with non-crystalline nanoparticles. According to the manufacturer, NanoTool has a flexural modulus of 10,500 MPa, a heat deflection temperature of 260 degrees C and linear shrinkage of less than 0.001 inch.
M7 Aerospace has introduced a new potable water system supplemental type certificate modification for Gulfstream III Model 1159A business jets. The STC replaces potable water systems originally installed on some GIII aircraft. The M7 STC replaces a bleed air pressurized water tank with a new, non-pressurized 20-gallon tank to provide hot and cold running potable water in the aircraft's galley and lavatory. New system provides water flow from an on-demand electric pump and includes a new water quantity indicating system.
ACE Aviation Holdings' ACTS plans to acquire 80 percent of Grupo TACA's maintenance division, Aeroman. The deal is scheduled to close during the first quarter.
The FAA and EASA recently issued important -- and much needed -- clarifications regarding human factors training requirements. The resulting clarity may surprise some, notably U.S. repair stations with EASA 145 certificates.
Honeywell added all RE100 series auxiliary power units to its e-Engine website troubleshooting service called SpotLight, which uses field service reports, maintenance manuals and troubleshooting experience to lead users to the most relevant answers based on their problem.
JetBlue awarded a new Airbus A320 heavy maintenance contract to Empire Aero Center based in Rome, N.Y. as that MRO waits for a decision by the new board of SR Technics regarding a Memorandum of Understanding it signed with SR Technics to take a 60 percent stake in Empire Aero. JetBlue plans to send 12 Airbus A320s to Empire this year for C checks. Air Canada Technical Services and TACA Aeroman also provide heavy maintenance services to JetBlue.
Five years ago FAA released the first substantial rewrite of repair station regulations since the early 1960s. That rewrite of Part 145 came after years of meetings, debate and controversy. Parts of the proposed rule change generated so much opposition that FAA opted for a two-pronged approach -- release the majority of the rewrite in a comprehensive rulemaking and issue a second part later to tackle some of the thornier issues.
EmpowerMX Consulting Services Group named Ric Anderson as a senior consultant. He will be responsible for aircraft maintenance program studies and training efforts. Anderson most recently was director of maintenance and materiel for the Air Transport Association.
ACROHELIPRO GLOBAL SERVICES USA, to install dual Rockwell Collins FDS 2000 flight displays, dual AHS 3000 attitude and heading on Sikorsky S-61 helicopters AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING CO., to install tail rotor hub assembly on MD Helicopter 369 models ARINC, to install avionics systems on a Raytheon Aircraft A200 AVIATION PARTNERS, to install winglets, associated changes in wing and aileron structures and related system changes on British Aerospace Model BAe125 Series 800A and 800B airplanes
Standard Aero received a $94.4 million modification to a previously awarded contract from the U.S. Navy to exercise an option for T56 Series III engine module repairs to include facilities, labor, spare parts, consumable material and test equipment to return the modules to ready-for-issue condition. This option includes repairs for up to 10 propulsion systems, 240 power sections, 205 reduction gear assemblies, 205 torque meters, 30 quick engine change kits, five compressor assemblies and five turbine unit change assemblies.
Honeywell's Zing intelligent monitoring network, a new portfolio of services, is a platform designed to help operators manage fleets and provide a path for consolidating aircraft data uploads, data downloads and maintenance action. It creates a high-speed information network between operators and their aircraft. Honeywell hopes to receive an STC in January for the first service, TFE731 engine remote diagnostics, according to Scott Taylor, vice president of sales and customer marketing for Honeywell's business and general aviation business.
SR Technics started offering line maintenance at Paris Orly Airport. Its first customer at the new line maintenance station is Air Caraibes. SR Technics plans to employ 30 people there by the end of the month.
This year was a busy one in the world of MRO, but as I look back on the almost completed 2006, the most intriguing development of the year -- notice I didn't say best or worst, but most intriguing -- was the launch of the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE). Why? First of all, there's the sheer size of the venture: a $15 billion, government-backed investment to create a global aerospace manufacturing and services corporation.
L-3 Vertex Aerospace received a $28.6 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded contract to exercise an option for logistics services covering the U.S. Navy's E-6B fleet. Work should be completed in October 2007.
PAS Technologies in Kansas City named Mark Greene, manger of marketing and business development; Chris Eppard sales manager of the U.S. Southwest; and Bill Lodwick, currently managing director of Asian Surface Technologies, as Asia-Pacific regional director, as well.
Universal Avionics, Comm- ercial Jet and ARC Avionics announced receipt of an FAA STC on Oct. 19 to retrofit a flat panel display flightdeck on a Boeing 737-300F. The installation includes four Universal Avionics EFI-890 flat panel displays, a Vision-1 synthetic vision system, dual UNS-1F flight management systems and Class A terrain awareness and warning system. The existing autopilot stays.
Aerospace Products International announced that it will open a 172,000-square-foot facility in Southaven, Miss., 2.5 miles from the Memphis International Airport and the FedEx Express hub. API will consolidate four of its warehouse facilities in early 2007 into a recently completed distribution center.
In October, Aero Vodochody presented its upgraded L-159BAT project to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) as a suitable candidate to replace or supplement about 40 Greek Rockwell T-3C/E Buckeye advanced jet-trainers. L-159BAT development is based on a general agreement on the 25-year Follow-on Support Service for the Czech Air Force L-159/L-39 fleet, signed between Aero and the Prague Defense Ministry in December 2005. It involves using wings and tail sections of surplus Czech Republic Air Force (VSACR) single seat L-159As, with newly built tandem two-seat fuselages.
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Lufthansa Technik appointed new senior vice presidents for two of its six product divisions. As of January 2007, Dr. Johannes Bussmann will take over managing the Aircraft Component Services group. He succeeds Uwe Mukrasch, who joins the board of Lufthansa Technik as chief executive of human resources and information management. Dr. Andreas Heizner will head the Aircraft Overhaul division. Heizner, former president and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Philippines, takes over responsibility from Andreas Meisel, who becomes general manager of Ameco Beijing.
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics received FAA Supplemental Type Certification on the new Bombardier Learjet 60 XR business jet. The installation was completed by Rockwell Collins' certification center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The first of 69 single-seat Harrier GR7 V/STOL ground-attack fighters upgraded to GR9 standards returned to service with the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm on Sept. 27. This is part of a £500 million ($938 million) improvement package to Capability B2+ standards for the aircraft. Together with 12 two-seat Harrier T12 (from T10) combat trainers, the GR9s emerge from upgrades in an incremental program by BAE Systems Customer Solutions & Support (CS&S), partnered with the Ministry of Defense (MoD), at RAF Cottesmore in Lincolnshire.
Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) already makes a difference in U.S. Army aviation -- despite the fact the program still is in its formative stages. An aviation unit from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) confirms CBM is working, said Col. Frank Atkins, director of Condition Based Maintenance for the Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
