L-3 Communications' Canadian MAS (L-3 MAS) subsidiary received a CAD39 million (USD34 million) subcontract by Boeing in February for the second phase upgrade of 78 CF-18A/B Hornets for Canada's Department of National Defense. The two-phase eight-year modernization project, started in April 2001, will confer full interoperability to the CF-18s with key allies and extend their operating lives through 2017.
Air France Industries should be able to conduct 40 GE90 engine overhauls per year by 2007 at its Orly facility. It plans to complete an additional engine disassembly line there this quarter.
April 5-6 U.S. Defense Budget & Programs, Alexandra, Va. April 25-27 MRO Conference & Exhibition, Phoenix April 25-26 MRO Military Conference & Exhibition, Phoenix May 16-17 MRO Military Europe, Berlin Sept. 19-21 MRO Asia, Xiamen, China Oct. 24-26 MRO Europe, Amsterdam Nov. 13-15 A&D Programs, Phoenix Contacts: Registration Info: Anita Joyce Wright, registration producer, 800-240-7645 in the U.S. only or 212-904-6344; fax 212-904-3334
Boeing is one of two companies selected by the MoD as a preferred bidder to compete in a technology demonstration program, as part of Project Eagle, a major upgrade to the RAF's seven E-3D AWACS, delivered in 1991 and 1992. The one-year contract, potentially worth some $8 million, starts in April. To meet its requirements, Boeing will demonstrate test scenarios in a laboratory environment, using initial versions of the proposed software.
Sikorsky Aircraft won a $97.6 million Performance Based Logistics contract from the Naval Inventory Control Point to repair and overhaul 10 dynamic components on the H-53.
All Nippon Airways this month is introducing new inflight music programs called Euphony ANA Audio, which required some new hardware and software upgrades.
A small but persistent group of Honeywell T53 engine operators and suppliers were successful in their effort to get FAA to reconsider its proposal to reduce life limits and force early replacement -- using only OEM-supplied-parts -- of certain high-dollar engine components. In the end, however, and despite two years of dialogue and two comment periods sandwiched around a public meeting, the only thing the group convinced FAA of is that the agency's 2004 draft rule understated the problem.
HAECO plans to open a second hangar for heavy maintenance at Hong Kong International Airport by the end of this year. It will be able to accommodate up to two Boeing 747s plus a 787. The hangar is expected to add 800,000 man-hours. HAECO logged 1.64 million man-hours last year, which was a 15 percent increase over 2004. About 53 percent of the work was for airlines based outside of Hong Kong.
Sharp Details now offers Granitize Aviation International's Xzilon, which is an aircraft exterior high-solids corrosion inhibitor, on its cleaning and detailing work. Xzilon forms a protective barrier on metal and painted aircraft surfaces, thereby preventing parasitic drag, extending paint life and preventing corrosion on polished and unpolished bar metal surfaces. Zxilon is certified for use on Boeing and Gulfstream aircraft. Contact Sharp Details, 2824 Dorr Ave., Suite E, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Kelly Aviation Center, will no longer use Standard Aero to perform T56 maintenance after February 2007, but will do the work itself. Standard Aero generated about 36 percent of its revenues from this subcontract in 2004. Kelly Aviation Center is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin, GE and Rolls-Royce.
TAECO expects to operate three 747-400 passenger to freighter conversion lines for its contract with Boeing, which covers up to 33 conversions through 2010. TAECO signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for another 17, which brings the potential total to 50.
MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg received EASA and FAA approval to repair GE CF34-8 engines. MTU said there are more than 750 such engines in revenue service and 1,500 more have been ordered for delivery through 2014.
The value of the worldwide commercial jet transport MRO market rose a modest 1.3 percent last year to $38.8 billion, but it is expected to grow at a pace approaching 5 percent annually over the next five years as the recent decline in labor rates bottoms out and engine overhaul costs continue their upward trajectory. The annual MRO Forecast, prepared for O&M by TeamSAI and BACK Aviation Solutions, predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7 percent, with the worldwide MRO market reaching a value of $48.8 billion by 2011.
Gulfstream Aerospace plans to add a new 570,000-square-foot service center in Savannah, Ga., that will be twice as big as the existing one. It will include a 42,600 square foot paint hangar. Savannah Technical College plans to open an A&P certification program to train future maintenance technicians for the growth.
