Sage Parts has acquired T123, a supplier of ground support equipment parts based in Lancashire, England. T123's presence in the U.K. and Ireland will expand Sage Parts' existing capabilities in Amsterdam and Hong Kong. Sage has also partnered with Delta Air Lines to dispense replacement parts for ground support equipment at their hubs in Minneapolis, Memphis and Detroit. Facilities
Jamco America, issued and amended STCs to reconfigure interiors on Boeing Model 747-400 and 777-300 series aircraft, STCs ST02106SE-D, ST01880SE-D and ST01700SE-D
It just doesn't pay to assume anything in this business. A case-in-point is Southwest Airlines Flight 812, a Boeing 737-300 that suddenly depressurized at altitude on April 1. The initial assumption was that the 39,781-cycle, 737 was the latest craft to succumb to the popular media's venerable villain: the aging aircraft syndrome. It seems that may not be the case. While no probable cause has been established, the focus has shifted to manufacturing issues.
A life raft or oxygen tank is usually stowed away out of passengers' sight, but the flying public has a knack for finding these items and keeping them as souvenirs. While the cost of these devices is low, their removal is problematic for the airline in that the aircraft may no longer comply with FAA safety regulations, which require aircraft to have enough flotation devices on board for all passengers. If these devices or other safety equipment is missing, the airline risks a fine or could be prevented from taking off.
The Cobham Model 3110 audio control panel provides digital radio features to the DC-9's classic analog system. It provides integrated service interphone and call features and integrates aural warning signals from the Traffic Collision Avoidance System, TAWS, and the enhanced ground proximity warning system; it also displays wind shear measurements. Airborne has installed two audio control panels in the center pedestal of the flightdeck and one in the observer's position, an extra seat behind the pilot and co-pilot.
Continuum Applied Technology has announced the release of version 10 of its Corridor Aviation Service Software. It offers more than 200 enhanced features including compliance and work order integration and quoting and an archiving scheduler.
Aviatrax, Luxembourg-based aviation consulting company, has formed a joint venture company with Aviation Consulting called Aviatrax Technics. The JV has the following approvals: Continued Airworthiness Management Organization Subpart G and I, EASA Part M and Caymen airworthiness approvals.
Locatory, owned by Avia Solutions Group, specializes in the Eastern European, African, Middle Eastern and Asian emerging markets. It provides access to Russian aircraft parts in addition to those of Western aircraft. The platform is offered in seven languages and enables paid subscribers to upload unlimited data on parts and MRO services. Companies can upload their profiles to the website and access statistics on the number of RFQs Locatory has received, as well as how many times prospective buyers viewed its parts in a search. www.locatory.com
You can't drive the speed limit if you don't know how fast you're going. That's Rayner Hutchinson's analogy for trying to improve safety and reduce human error without a 360-degree, data-rich view of your maintenance organization. Hutchinson, VP quality and safety at AAR Corp., has a good point: if you don't know where you stand today, you can't possibly know how to achieve measurable gains in safety.
Interational Air Response, issued STC to install a removable 3,000-gal.chemical tank and release door system on a U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service C-130A operated under the restricted category for the special purposes of forest and wild life conservation, STC ST02348LA
The Innovative Solutions & Support air data module is a self-sensing, RVSM-compliant digital air data computer that replaces the duplex altimeter system on the DC-9. It has an altitude range of 1,000-53,000 ft., an airspeed range of 40 to 400 knots and a barometer setting range of 22.00 to 31.00 in. of mercury. Aeronautical Radio, Inc.'s standard ARINC-429 messages and the air data module show when a fault has occurred, and the test input sets the outputs to predetermined test values.
The International Bureau of Aviation (IBA) has named James Uniacke as head of asset management to grow its portfolio of managed aircraft. Uniacke joins IBA after 23 years in the aerospace industry working with companies such as Focus Aviation, BAe Systems and Short Brothers.
American Fuel Cells and Coated Fabrics Co., amended STC to install an Amfuel internal auxiliary fuel system completion kit on Sikorsky S-92A helicopters, STC SR02298LA
Lufthansa Technik Group shuffled several top executive positions: Burkhard Andrich, senior VP engine services, will become senior VP aircraft component services; he will be succeeded by Johannes Bussmann, currently senior VP-aircraft component services; Stephan Drewes, VP engine overhaul at Hamburg, will become CEO of LT Malta, replacing Aloysius Giordimaina, who will retire but continue in Malta as a member of the supervisory board; Drewes' former role will be assumed by Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel, currently CEO of LT Philippines, where he will be succeeded by Gerald Friel
AeroStar, a new FAA Part 145 repair company, has opened a facility in Mobile, Ala. near Mobile Downtown Airport. It specializes in repair and overhaul for hydraulics and pneumatic components for commercial airlines, OEMs and the military. It received its Part 145 certification from the FAA on July 13. AeroStar will repair parts for Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Airbus and regional aircraft. It is an affiliate of Star Aviation.
Fipart is an independent locator service that enables airlines, manufacturers, service providers, MROs and distributors to buy and sell aircraft parts. It lists 26.5 million parts and 11,400 companies that are using its platform. Users can evaluate one another based on their experience buying and selling parts, providing information for a quality rating database. Customers can refine their searches based on the condition of the parts, distance, company type, industrial sector and aircraft model.
Whether you are using barcodes, direct part marking or RFID, the ability to automatically enter information about a part into an ERP system could lead to benefits from other chapters, including Chapter 14, which automates the process to file warranty claims. Many fleet operators don't take full advantage of warranties because the administrative costs associated with filing claims are high, contends Hannes Sandmeier, VP of application development for Oracle.
MTU Aero Engines and US Airways has extended its maintenance agreement for the IAE V2500-A1 engine until the end of 2016. The contract began in 2008. Avionics/IFE
While the Internet makes finding aircraft parts easier, inventory locator websites still run into entrenched problems. Unanswered requests for quotes (RFQs), out-dated inventory lists and price fishing are issues that established and new markets will have to resolve. Although companies such as Inventory Locator Service (ILS) and PartsBase have dominated the parts market in the past decade, a few ambitious newcomers are encouraging customers to migrate to new platforms with innovative ways of doing business.
Sifco Applied Surface Concepts has added Reed Kimbell to its team as production manager. Kimball will be responsible for contract plating operations and the production of SIFCO's plating products.
Inflight Warning Systems, issued STC to install inflight warning systems fan vibration motor unit on various Airbus A318 and A319 aircraft, STC SA02356LA
Iberia has opted for General Electric CF6-801E engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A330-300s. In March the airline committed to buying eight of the widebodies, with options for eight more, but held off on the engine selection. The engine deal includes a 15-year support package for the powerplants.
