BAE Systems completed the first flight test of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook digital advanced flight control system, which will replace a legacy flight control system as Boeing upgrades 300 of those helicopters to F model standards for the U.S. Army. The digital system is designed to provide better reliability and maintainability.
Hamilton Aerospace Technologies received a heavy maintenance contract for seven head of state aircraft. Contract value is $7.5 million. Hamilton Aerospace should finish the work this year.
U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense presented its Defense Standardization Program Achievement Awards, which included NAVAIR's Integrated In-Service Support Program team, led by Debbie Vergos, and the Mission Data Exchange Format team, led by Scott Millett.
SR Technics is "on track" to float a slice of the company in an initial public offering "in the medium term, subject to market conditions," revealed Chairman Frank Turner. He would not say when the flotation would happen or what proportion of the company the IPO would involve but that it will "likely to be significant."
Premier Aircraft announced its performance upgrade for the Dassault Falcon 50 passed the first engineering milestone: The new engine nozzle integrated with the existing nacelle. The company expects the upgraded aircraft to have longer range, increased hot-high performance and better climb performance. The upgrade costs $2.3 million. Premier Aircraft hopes to receive the STC in the fourth quarter.
COVER STORY: Examining the Process Implementing Lean MROs can slash turntimes and save millions, but implementing Lean, Six Sigma and the rest can cost millions and require a long-term commitment. Business & Operations 33 Cutting Fuel Costs Operators of commercial and business aircraft seek fuel savings from winglets, flap modifications and engine efficiencies. 39 Out of the Vault and into the Pit Lessors forge closer ties with MROs. 45 India's Aviation Growth to Power MRO
Gradient Lens' new Hawkeye Precision borescope engine inspection kit contains an improved borescope, a 90-degree viewing adapter and a very bright, portable light source -- all of which is contained in a ruggedized aluminum case. Gradient Lens Corp., Attn: Doug Kindred, 207 Tremont St., Rochester, NY 14608
Ultimate Aircraft Composites is now a Lockheed Martin approved repair center for C-130 aircraft. Ultimate Aircraft Composites is located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Lord Corp.'s elastomeric dampers received FAA certification for retrofit on Enstrom 480B helicopters. They replace the current hydraulic dampers. Enstrom contacted Lord Corp. in 2000 seeking a main rotor damper that would improve damping performance characteristics, reduce scheduled maintenance and improve service life -- the result of which are these new dampers that also can be incorporated on new production aircraft. Lord Corp., 111 Lord Dr., Cary, NC 27511
GE received a $57 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to upgrade at least 95 F110 engines that power F-16 C/D aircraft. The contract is part of the Service Life Extension Program that includes technology upgrades to the combustor, high pressure turbine, compressor and augmentor to reduce unscheduled removals by 50% and decrease cost-per-flight-hour by 25%. The program is designed to save the Air Force $1 billion in life cycle costs for the engine.
Qatar Airways signed two memorandum of understandings with Lufthansa Technik valued at $100 million. Lufthansa Technik will take over IAE V2500 engine maintenance and overhaul of the airline's Airbus A320 fleet for the next 10 years. The second agreement involves LHT installing Rockwell Collins´ Tailwind 560 for onboard live satellite television on 15 Airbus A330s. Qatar Airways will become the first international airline offering its passengers live TV in the sky.
Pemco World Air Services converted and delivered a Boeing 737-300 Quick Change cargo aircraft to CIT Aerospace, which leased the aircraft to Titan Airways. This is the first 737 cargo aircraft that Pemco has done for CIT Aerospace.
Boeing launched the 777 Freighter and announced Air France is the launch customer. Air France ordered five Boeing 777 Freighters, with options for three more, to replace its 747-200F fleet. The two companies also announced an agreement to turn three 747-400s into full freighter configuration. Air France will receive its first aircraft that is converted from combi configuration in June 2007. Boeing produced 13 747-400 Combis, called 747-400Ms, for 13 customers between 1989 to 2002.
NEW DELHI -- There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for MRO businesses in India, as more than 200 aircraft are added to fleets in the next few years. Rising fuel costs also could result in neighboring countries turning toward India for their maintenance and overhaul needs, as opposed to flying farther away.
Representatives of charter and on-demand operators are concerned that FAA's proposed voice and data recorder rule doesn't adequately analyze the impact of the regulations on Part 91 and Part 135 operators, leading one association to call for a "halt" to the rulemaking until a more detailed review can be done. The scheduled airline community, meanwhile, largely supports the proposed rule, but has concerns about the provisions that apply to aircraft with datalink capability.
Northrop Grumman Systems received a $68.6 million contract modification from the U.S. Air Force to provide AAQ-24 (V) LAIRCM system hardware and support, including spares, technical data, training and installation, to field the systems on 25 aircraft.
Sikorsky Aircraft won a $16.8 million modification contract for Elbit A and B kits for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Sikorsky also received a $4.3 million contract for UH-60 hardware.
Rolls-Royce appointed Colin Smith as an executive director and as the group's director of engineering and technology, effective July 1. Mike Howse, the current director of engineering and technology, will be retiring.
Best-known for its long-term Lockheed C-130 major MRO, modification, upgrade and technical support programs, as well as supporting many other military and civil aircraft, Marshall Aerospace has taken on a formidable challenge from receipt in May of a an unusual contract. This involves the start of the engineering project to return XH558, one of the few surviving ex-RAF Avro Vulcan tailless delta-wing strategic nuclear bombers, to warbird flight-display status.
