The European Commission's ambitious aviation occurrence data compilation effort is beginning to bear fruit in both the amount of information being collected and the quality of the reports. EASA's recently issued 2010 Annual Safety Review included an update on the program, known as the European Central Repository for occurrences (ECR).
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
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.
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.
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.
Metro Aviation, issued STCs to install optional equipment and emergency medical systems on Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 helicopters, STC SR09587RC and SR09586RC
“If you stick to a reactive approach, you could miss opportunities.” Andy Clifton, Rolls-Royce's manager of sustainable development in design, was referring to integrating end-of-life aircraft planning into initial product design when he said these words at the Aviation Suppliers Association's conference in July. But these words apply to almost every aspect of the aftermarket.
As airlines continue to strive for increased efficiencies, any prospect involving a requirement for fewer resources is welcomed. This applies to a move being considered by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to change EASA Part M Subpart G continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) requirements to allow commercial aircraft operators to outsource their Part M CAMO functions. This new initiative would enable AOC holders to contract approved CAMOs, such as Boeing, to manage the continued airworthiness of their fleets.
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.
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.
Metro Aviation, issued STCs to install optional equipment and emergency medical systems on Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 helicopters, STC SR09587RC and SR09586RC
AeroStar named Greg Guzman general manager and executive VP of marketing and sales for the company and will oversee its strategic direction. Gordon Smart, VP of operations for Star Aviation, will assume the role of executive VP of operations for Aerostar and will assist the company as a managing partner.
Source One Aircraft Repair (SOAR) and engineering services provider Tass Inc. have partnered for a renewable three-year cooperative working agreement to offer aircraft on ground field support services. Tass brings capabilities of aircraft recovery, repair, logistics, engineering, planning and touch labor under FAA DER, EASA, CASA CAR 35 and CAANZ Part 146 approvals.
Inventory Locator Service customers using the company's ILSmart parts marketplace have the option of participating in the Accredited Vendor Program, which lets them see a higher number of RFQs than non-subscribers. ILS also offers the Auto Quote service for faster RFQs and the Quick Catalog tool, which allows companies to embed an inventory list on the ILS website or display it on their own page. ILS can match the design of this list to the company's existing web site as requested.
American Airlines is becoming the first carrier to install automatic identification technology (AIT) on civilian aircraft by attaching contact memory buttons on replaceable structural components, such as doors, stabilizers, rudders and elevators. Doing this will allows the carrier to more efficiently monitor the components' individual history because the high memory capacity buttons, about the size of a dime, automate data collection, which can save labor costs and improve data accuracy.
Marilake Aerosystems, the U.K.-based avionics and instrument repair company, has appointed James Wilson as business development manager. Wilson comes to Marilake after serving in a sales and business development role at Beagle Aerospace.
Alliance Air has decided to establish a second MRO base for Fokker 70/100s, in Adelaide, where it performs Fokker 50 checks. The Australian carrier already does heavy checks for Fokker 70/100s at its base in Brisbane. “Another 10 engineers will be hired by Alliance to provide added maintenance capability in Adelaide, taking to 84 the number of staff employed by the airline in the South Australian capital,” it says. Two Fokker 100 aircraft arrived in Adelaide from Europe in early August to undergo major maintenance checks prior to service entry.
Inflight Warning Systems, issued STC to install inflight warning systems fan vibration motor unit on various Airbus A318 and A319 aircraft, STC SA02356LA
