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.
Chromalloy has received Approved Organization Exposition certificates from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for its service centers in Phoenix, Ariz. and Carson City, Nev. The JCAB approval will allow Chromalloy to perform designated engineering representative repairs on engine components for Japan Air Lines and All Nippon Airways without needing individual repair approvals from the bureau.
There are plenty of older aircraft out there still in service, flying passengers and cargo in four corners of the world. Ascend says that older narrowbody Boeing twinjets are flying in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North America. While 737 classics are far more prevalent, there are still a great number of 757s, 767s, and even early-generation 747s out there also.
Chromalloy has appointed Will Zmyndak director of operations at the company's Orangeburg, N.Y. advanced coatings and gas turbine repair facility. Zmyndak comes to the company after serving as VP aftermarket operations for Barnes Aerospace Aftermarket.
Airborne installed four Universal Avionics Systems Corp. EFI-890R flat-panel integrated displays on the DC-9 in a primary flight display/multi-function display format. The 10-in., 780-by-780-pixel color liquid crystal display screens are twice as big as the legacy units and controlled by five panels installed in the glareshield and pedestal. Display capabilities include video, airport diagrams and checklists, charts, synthetic vision, a Terrain Awareness and Warning System and weather data. The front-mounted unit is available in gray or black. www.uasc.com
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.
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
PartsBase has 20,000 end users and more than 51 million line items. It enables customers buying and selling parts to cross reference them by their national stock numbers and search by description. The parts are listed by date stamp, with the most recently acquired items listed first. Repair stations have the ability to contact parts buyers and place a pre-emptive bid when they see an opportunity for an overhaul contract. Plans come in five different packages at different price levels: limited, basic, silver, gold and platinum. www.partsbase.com
EmpowerMX signed a software-as-a-service licensing agreement with NS Aviation for the FleetCycle Execution Suite-MRO Manager product. NS Aviation offers maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft.
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).
Pemco World Air Services will convert Boeing 737-400 passenger aircraft into a combi configuration for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Pemco finished the first configuration at its Dothan, Ala. facility in May and expects it to enter service this fall. The aircraft accommodates two flight crew members, 66 passengers and 4.5 pallets of freight with a range of more than 3,000 miles. The National Nuclear Security Administration will operate the aircraft.
International Lease Finance Corp. will acquire AerCap's AeroTurbine business for $228 million. The agreement for ILFC to take over the business that leases aircraft components and engines still needs regulatory approval and should close “in the coming months,” AerCap says. AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly says the company is divesting AeroTurbine because its core leasing business has changed since it acquired the unit in 2006. At the time, it wanted the expertise in managing older aircraft.
Aircraft Technical Development dba Aerocon Engineering Co., reissued STC to install a cabin interior noise reduction kit on Boeing 767-200 and 300 series aircraft, STC ST02020LA
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 Ancra International Corp.
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
Metro Aviation, issued STCs to install optional equipment and emergency medical systems on Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 helicopters, STC SR09587RC and SR09586RC
The Nordam Group officially named Meredith Siegfried CEO, succeeding Bill Peacher and completing a transition announced in July. Peacher will continue to serve on Nordam's board and as a financial consultant to the company. Ken Lackey, executive chairman, and Hastings Siegfried, vice chairman and COO of the Transparency Group, remain in their current positions. The election of Siegfried as CEO is one of the final pieces of the company's long-term succession plan for its leadership
