Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Swiss Aviation Software are partnering to offer AMOS, MRO software developed by Swiss Aviation Software. The agreement calls for ST Aero to be the main distributor, implementation partner and support center for AMOS in Asia. ST Aerospace also will collaborate with the software company to develop a version of AMOS in Chinese.
MTU Aero Engines in Munich received a follow-on EUR20 million (USD24 million) government contract in October to upgrade and install 40 GE T64-100 turboshaft engines powering the German army's Sikorsky CH-53G transport helicopters. MTU started uprating 46 T64-7 engines to the -100 standard, with maximum takeoff power increased to 4,330 shp, in 2003 and is nearing completion. A third order for MTU to uprate another 40 T64s is planned in 2007 or 2008, which will complete the program.
Cimber Data appointed Rune Hagen to succeed Hans-Ingolf Nielsen as CEO and president. Cimber Data is an aviation maintenance software specialist and owner of AMICOS. Hagen has worked with Cimber Data since 1998, initially as manager for implementation and then as head of sales and marketing.
After extensive upgrades, Aero Vodochody redelivered the last of eight L-39ZO armed jet-trainers for extended service with the Hungarian Air Defence and Aviation Command (LERP). The aircraft were redelivered from the Czech Republic. First delivered to Hungary from 1993, the L-39 upgrades represent part of recent LERP service contracts with Aero Vodochody.
Duncan Aviation promoted Tom Burt, a 26-year company veteran, to chief operating officer for its Battle Creek, Mich., facility. He formerly was executive vice president of customer service and sales.
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has streamlined its aircraft management and support activities to provide integrated support and aircraft lease packages. The regional aircraft division provides support, engineering and asset management services to 160 customers operating 1,100 aircraft, and manages a trading and leasing portfolio of 350 aircraft. Unsurprisingly, almost all of these aircraft were built by BAE Systems' predecessor, British Aerospace, and include the BAe146 and RJs, BAe 748 and ATP, plus Jetstream 31s, 32s and 41s.
DeCrane Aircraft Seating has patented the technology used in its new family of lightweight 16g and 9g single and double passenger seats for super mid-size and large corporate jets. The patents covers the design of its new positive locking brake mechanism used to control the seats' rotation. The new seats feature linear bearing tracking, fewer parts, lower weight and easier upholstering. The single seats can accommodate up to 70 pounds of upholstery and options, and the double seats can accommodate up to 225 pounds.
Rockwell Collins delivered the 100 th operational C/KC-135 GATM modified aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. If the Air Force exercises options for all 417 aircraft, the contract is worth $780 million to Rockwell Collins. It also received a contract from the U.S. government to install Pro Line 21 avionics as an upgrade to six Beech King Air 300s, with options for 12 others.
The demand for skilled labor is increasing steadily in the Asia-Pacific region, and it could be a limiting factor in terms of MRO expansion in the region, particularly in China and in India -- the two countries most-often cited as aftermarket growth sources.
The United States Space Shuttle fleet may be grounded indefinitely, but the overhaul and maintenance teams have not halted work on the world's only reusable vehicles to carry humans to space. Before the fleet's mandatory retirement in 2010, the shuttles are needed for the U.S.'s role in space and for assisting the International Space Station.
A large number of the Panavia Tornadoes the German Luftwaffe has been flying since 1980 will get life extensions and combat capability upgrades. The group to be upgraded includes nearly half of some 190 interdictor-strike aircraft, 40 interdictor-strike/ reconnaissance and 36 electronic combat reconnaissance versions of the variable-geometry twin RB199-turbofan two-seat Panavia Tornado.
Air Canada Technical Services and Otto Instruments & Avionics, a Honeywell licensee, signed a cooperative maintenance and repair agreement to support airframe and engine components for commercial and military aircraft applications. The two-part deal transferred test equipment underutilized at ACTS to Otto Instruments, so the latter can repair components from ACTS and other customers and pay a royalty fee to ACTS. The agreement also entails Otto Instrument's European office marketing ACTS's capabilities and services in Europe, the Middle East and African.
O&M: How is Avborne fitting into Sargent and Dover? Gibbons: It's fitting exceptionally well. We acquired it in January with the intention of really expanding Sargent's and Dover's presence in the MRO services business. Over a very short period of time, we've integrated it into our business and it's doing exceptionally well in the marketplace. [Editor's Note: Dover is Sargent's parent company.] O&M: How do you measure the performance?
FAA has established the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program, revamping its existing organizational designee structure while expanding both the types of functions that it will designate to industry representatives and the organizations that will be designee-eligible. Perhaps the biggest change, from industry's point of view: Designees no longer will be required to work for an organization that holds an FAA certificate.
Midcoast Aviation named Joe Thurman director of the Global 5000/XRS program, Kelly Sepe manager of structural engineering, and Pat Quinn manager of certification/DAS administration. The changes are to accommodate Midcoast's growing Bombardier Global bizjet completions.
Empire Aero Center appointed Brian Olsen president. He replaces Joseph Reinhertz. Olsen's experience includes being regional vice president of LMI Aerospace and general manager of Milgard Manufacturing.
Bombardier started building a new factory-owned service center at Love Field in Dallas. The 100,000-square-foot facility will increase service space for Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets by 60%. The new facility is scheduled to be operational in the third quarter 2006.
Sikorsky Aircraft plans to acquire Keystone Ranger Holdings, which includes Keystone Helicopter and Composite Technology Inc. by yearend. The fit seems to be a natural one for Sikorsky for two main reasons, the first of which is that Sikorsky is poised to double its helicopter production in the next three years so it will need more completions capability.
Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen expanded its thrust reverser repair capabilities to include those of Boeing 737 (CFM56-3), 747, MD-11 (CF6-80), Airbus A300 and the inlet cowls of the V2500 engine.
Malaysian Air Systems retrofitted three sets of Aviation Partners Boeing blended winglets on Oman Air's 737-800s. Oman Air, the first Middle Eastern customer for the winglets, expects to save about 100,000 gallons (380,000 liters) of jet fuel per aircraft annually.
Lufthansa Technik Philippines started offering heavy maintenance on the Airbus A320 family in October. The arrival of a Lufthansa A320-200 in Manila marked the start of narrowbody heavy maintenance at the facility. The aircraft is undergoing an IL2 check.
Altair Avionics expanded its data analysis services to include data from ARINC ACARS. It also now provides exceedence and event monitoring services using electronic files from on-board monitoring systems, which should help analysts reviewing the engine trend graphs to quickly see exceedence and event data to assess links to shifts in the graphs.
