On May 22, Boeing assumed logistics support responsibility for Britain's Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook HC2/2A helicopter fleet from a Through Life Customer Support (TLCS) program. It's worth about $360 million for the first five years. This 34-year performance-based logistics initiative is expected to generate nearly $295 million in savings for the U.K. Defense Ministry (MoD).
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued two proposed airworthiness directives on June 13 for several Airbus A330 and A340 models that revise main landing gear piston rod inspection requirements. The proposed effective date for the ADs is July 17.
Aviation Fleet Solutions and Pratt & Whitney have worked together to develop and certify a system that reduces cumulative noise from the JT8D-200-powered MD-80 by as much as six dB. The new system, known as QuietEagle, is a Pratt design that has been exclusively licensed to AFS for the MD-80. It meets Stage 4/Chapter 4 noise standards.
PHOENIX/BERLIN -- Military aircraft retirements will start outpacing deliveries in about three years and probably will continue doing so for the next decade, predicted Kevin Michaels, an AeroStrategy principal, at Aviation Week's MRO Military Europe Conference. The average age of military aircraft is 22 years, which compares to 12 years for commercial aircraft, according to Michaels.
United Services secured a contract from Air China to provide heavy maintenance for 20 Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines. Work on the engines, 10 PW4077Ds and 10 PW4056/4060s, already has begun at United Services' San Francisco facility, and is scheduled for completion by mid-2007.
Pratt & Whitney Canada's new PW980A APU received type certification from Transport Canada. The PW980A will provide power for main engine starting, environmental control and electrical systems on the Airbus A380.
Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in early June issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) for Israel Aircraft Industries' Bedek Aviation Group for the conversion of a Boeing 747-400 combi into a special freighter configuration. FAA and Israel's CAA issued their STCs in late May. Aircraft used for the certification process is owned by Guggehheim Aviation, and will be operated by Air China. It was the first 747-400 combi converted into special freighter configuration.
NEW DELHI -- India's aviation sector is growing faster than its gross domestic product, a pace expected to continue during the next few years. The country's airlines, which currently operate 220 aircraft, have placed orders for approximately 450 planes to be delivered over the next five to seven years. Once those aircraft start coming due for heavy checks, India will need substantially more MRO capacity than it has now.
Raytheon received a $36.9 million Naval Air Systems Command contract in May for production of 30 ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver (RWR) systems, plus spares, for installation in U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18E/F carrier-based tactical fighters. Two annual follow-on options, valued at $72.9 million, were included for 54 additional systems. Deliveries of the system under the Lot 8 full-rate production contract will begin in October 2007, and are scheduled for completion by September 2008.
Ameco Beijing named Ma Xulun, president of Air China, as chairman of its board, succeeding Li Jiaxiang, who resigned. Ma joined Air China in December 1998 as vice president. He was promoted to president of the carrier in October 2004. Li is general manager of China National Aviation Holding Co.
We already call ourselves US Airways, but because we are two separate airlines, internally we can't keep calling ourselves US Airways, because that's all of us, including America West, so we call ourselves East and West, just so we can denote which procedure and who's doing what," said Hal Heule, senior vice president of technical operations.
Hawaiian Airlines selected Goodrich to perform transition checks on four Boeing 767-300s prior to their entry into Hawaiian's fleet. Goodrich will perform heavy maintenance checks, interior standardization, painting and modifications necessary to meet ETOPS standards. In addition, three of the aircraft will undergo engine pylon mods and two will have landing gear overhauls. All of the aircraft are at Goodrich Aviation Technical Services in Everett, Wash. Work is expected to be completed later this year.
Kelly Aerospace Turbine Rotables received FAA's Diamond Award for its maintenance technicians. Pentastar Aviation received FAA's Diamond award, as well.
309 th Maintenance Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, received AS9100 certification. The U.S. Air Force unit is the only wing in the Department of Defense to achieve the certification.
Cessna Aircraft added several field service engineers, including Craig Duncan (Portland, Ore.); Jeff Sauber, (Nashville, Tenn.); Joel Noronha, (St. Louis, Mo.); Randy Davis, (Pittsburgh); Paul Faunce, (Houston); and Kevin Flood, (Minneapolis). Cessna plans to expand its operation to 26 field service engineers around the world by the end of 2006.
ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES: NORTH AMERICA -- SALES DIRECTOR Matt Holdreith, Phone: 212-904-2628; Fax: 212-904-3993 NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER, EAST Katie Taplett, Phone: 202-383-2335; Fax: 202-383-2323 NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER, WEST Bill Hux, Phone: 213-480-5202; Fax: 213-480-5249 REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER, NORTHEAST Gerry Lawrence, Phone: 781-860-6452; Fax: 781-860-6426 NORTHEAST, MID-ATLANTIC AND EASTERN CANADA
The Boeing 787, with its predominantly composite airframe, might be the next big step in aircraft design, but that will not make it immune to the bumps, dents and gashes that are everyday hazards for aircraft operating into the world's busiest airports. Now, with entry into service two years away, Boeing is working to address customer concerns about how the aircraft will fare in airline service when it suffers impact damage from boarding bridges, air stairs, catering trucks and cargo loading equipment.
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.
Given the imminent introduction of aircraft like the 787 and the Airbus A350, the need for an industry-level training standard in composite repairs becomes ever more urgent, as none currently exists. To this end, representatives from Boeing, Airbus and the FAA met in Seattle in March to discuss this issue and instigate some progress.
