The worldwide landing gear MRO market is expected to nearly double over the next 10 years, as the time between overhauls (TBOs) is running out on the huge fleets of aircraft purchased during the buying spree of the mid-to-late 1990s, according to AeroStrategy.
Airbus and Russia's Irkut/ MiG are exploring whether to jointly convert passenger A320s into cargo configuration. For Irkut, the work means moving from parts supply to aircraft conversion. It also may mean new maintenance business once the converted aircraft are deployed. (Irkut currently does not perform any Airbus maintenance.) For Airbus and parent EADS, the deal with Irkut could pave an economical way to a bigger piece of a market that's growing significantly faster than the passenger jet business.
SAS Component plans to close its operations in Stavanger, Norway in the third quarter following the decision to close SAS Technical Services' base nearby. The closure affects 98 staff, who will have the option to transfer to other locations.
AERO Vodochody received a Defense Ministry contract for a capabilities growth potential study for Czech Air Force (CzAF) L-159 advanced trainers. The new study will examine ways of further developing the L-159's combat potential and expand its compatibility with NATO operational systems, said Zdenek Stuchlik, AERO vice-chairman.
Air France Industries said Christian Tallec took over from Fouad Attar as vice president marketing and sales. He will be in charge of defining marketing strategy and developing engineering and maintenance sales in coordination with KLM Engineering & Maintenance. Tallec, who has spent his entire career with Air France, previously was operations control center manager for four years.
DALLAS -- The continued growth and consolidation of North American regional airlines, pressure from major airlines to trim costs, and the advancing age of first-generation regional jets have provided additional revenue producing opportunities for MROs, manufacturers and regional airlines. Although yields from working on regional airframes, engines and components may pale in comparison to money derived from servicing larger airliners, there are signs that this market segment shows potential.
BUDAPEST -- Low cost carriers are the stated prime target of most MROs, so it's no surprise that Lufthansa Technik recently expanded its agreement with Wizz Air to provide component and maintenance support for the airline's growing fleet of Airbus A320s. The contract covers all of the airline's aircraft for the next five years, not only for component support, but also access to a component pool, a home base kit and support for wheels and brakes. Wizz Air will have a fleet of 13 A320s by July and expects to have at least 24 more in service by 2010.
TNT, the Liège, Belgium-based package delivery company with an expanding network, agrees with Airbus that cargo is a better business bet than passengers. "It is a much more solid section of the air industry," said Niky Terzakis, managing director of TNT Airways. And, he said, "We believe having a strong cargo market makes the airplanes hold their value." Terzakis also likes the idea of an A320 freighter. "It's certainly an aircraft that looks quite interesting to us," he said. "We're still missing an aircraft around the size of the A320 and A321."
Alteon is looking at ways to speed up maintenance training. Pat Gaines, the company's president, told O&M that Alteon is investing in new technologies that should impact the learning curve and hopefully reduce the amount of required hands-on training.
Federal Aviation Administration awarded Norman Garren, Landmark Aviation's director of maintenance for its Part 135 certificate, its Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. He started his career in 1956 at A&H Flying Services and his been an employee of Landmark or its predecessors since 1974.
Five Royal Norwegian Air Force Lockheed C-130H transports started undergoing major maintenance and upgrades. SPAR Aerospace, a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, received a $41.3 million contract for the work in June. This includes replacing outer mainplanes with wings refurbished by SPAR; conducting an S-4 inspection; and performing any extra required maintenance work. The first two aircraft were due to arrive at L-3 SPAR's Edmonton, Canada facilities in late June, with the final aircraft being inducted in January 2007.
AAR's MRO segment logged the greatest sales jump year-over-year of 63 percent from about $112 million to $182 million. Structures and systems had the second highest growth in sales for AAR's fiscal 2006, growing 20 percent to $240 million from about $201 million.
Dassault Systèmes released Version 2.3 of ABAQUS for CATIA V5. The new version is designed to improve the deployment of analysis workflows and advanced simulation technology across an organization.
On June 28, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible estimated $1.3 billion Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 60 F-16A/B mid-life update (MLU) modification and Falcon Star structural service-life enhancement kits, plus associated equipment and services.
Yingling Aviation finished its first RVSM-compliant modification of a Cessna Conquest SII, equipped with a Sperry 1000 integrated flight control system. AeroMech and Corporate Aircraft developed the STC, and Yingling modified the aircraft.
All Nippon Airways decided on July 12 to sell six Boeing 747-400s to Avion Aircraft Trading of Iceland. ANA will sell two aircraft in 2007, two in 2008 and two in 2009. The sales are part of ANA's strategy to operate more efficient aircraft, including the 737-700 and 787.
ABoeing 737-301SF on approach to Nottingham East Midlands Airport sustained heavy damage when its autopilot malfunctioned briefly, forcing the aircraft into a hard landing off the runway. The cargo flight, which departed Liège Airport in Belgium headed for London Stansted Airport on June 15,chose Nottingham as an alternative because weather had deteriorated below the minimum required to make an ap-proach.
Seven European aerospace manufacturers signed a letter of intent to work on the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative, which is a seven-year, €1.7 billion research project set up jointly with the European Commission.
General Electric received a delivery order amount of $5.3 million as part of an $11.3 million firm-fixed-price contract from the Army Aviation and Missle Command for exhaust pipes for the Blackhawk. Work should be finished by June 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Crane Aerospace & Electronics named Chris Larsen business development director for Landing Systems Solutions. Larsen will be acquiring new businesses, participating in strategic business and marketing planning, and managing business relationships. Crane Aerospace & Electronics also named Don Roulett engine market segment business manager of its Ohio site.
Stevens Aviation recently completed its 26 th Blackhawk King Air XP engine conversion, which calls for replacing the King Air 90's original engines with new 750 shp PT6A-135A engines flat rated to 550 shp.
John Osborn can identify well with Johnny Cash's song: "I've been Everywhere, Man." Osborn in late May had just retuned "home" after touring seven countries in 60 days to promote his "product."
TAT Industries and Moscow Sky have begun the conversion of three Fokker 100s into VIP aircraft. Conversion work is being done in Dinard, France, at TAT's facility. EASA certification of the work is expected by year-end.
ARINC Direct Aircraft Service repair station at Colorado Springs has received an expanded FAA part 145 certification allowing it to perform full service aircraft maintenance.
