Magtrol SA has completed developing a customized motor test bench for British Airways Avionic Engineering (BAAE). The turnkey system is designed to test a wide range of electrical motors, including flap motors, starter motors, rotary actuators and fans.
Canadian Home Rotors extended the maintenance intervals to 250 hrs. from 200 hrs. for its Safari helicopter kit. This translates to a savings of about $800 per 1,000 hr. flight period, according to Canadian Home Rotors.
Nearly two years after a front compressor hub fractured and flew from the left engine of a Delta Air Lines MD-88 on takeoff at Pensacola, Fla., on July 6, 1996, killing two passengers and seriously injuring two others, the National Transportation Safety Board announced a probable cause that had a component of déjà vu.
Lockheed Martin expects to award the first production contract by March for the U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt precision engagement upgrade program, according to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. The upgrade program includes adding new cockpit displays, ability to use targeting pods and ability to use two precision-guided weapons. USAF operates 356 A-10s.
Congress appropriated $76.7 million to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in 2005, about $2 million more than NTSB requested. The lawmakers' directive: use the funding boost to add field investigators.
DüSSELDORF -- LTU phased out the last of its Boeing aircraft early last year, but it is looking to capitalize on years of Boeing experience by selling MRO services to other carriers. It plans to do this while expanding its flight schedule, which over the years has evolved from mostly charter operations to 95% scheduled service.
Airbus selected DHL Solutions to provide A380 spare parts logistics services at three of its French facilities. DHL Solutions, a division of DHL, has been working with Airbus since the end of 2004 to optimize the A380 production line and prepare for aircraft maintenance. Besides the 5,400-sq.-ft. facility DHL is building within Airbus' aircraft wing strut assembly plan in Toulouse to control incoming inventory and parts, DHL also will be coordinating maintenance kit distribution and spare parts.
Much has been said over the past several years about the threat -- real or imagined -- that PMA parts pose to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Now the use of designated engineering representative (DER)-approved repairs to extend the life of OEM parts has become the cause du jour because of oversight issues and the growing popularity of DER repairs among the cost-conscious U.S. airlines. Some also argue it's quicker to complete a DER repair than get approval for a PMA part.
Shannon Aerospace assisted Russian operator Kaliningradavia in accepting its first Western aircraft, a Boeing 737. The operator plans to accept five 737s this year, with a long-term goal of acquiring 19 of the aircraft for international expansion. Andrey Chuprov, Kaliningradavia technical director and former quality manager for Aeroflot's maintenance, said he hopes to further develop the relationship with Shannon Aerospace.
ExelTech was named one of Canada's 50 best managed companies of 2004 by program sponsored by Deloitte & Touche, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and the Queen's School of Business.
Forecast International predicts that defense departments will spend $28.5 billion on electronic warfare systems for the next 10 years. Forecast's "The Market for Electronic Warfare Systems" report said the key components include jammer systems, radar warning receivers, and electronic support measures systems.
SPS Technologies Aerospace Fasteners' preload indicating washers are designed to provide an accurate way of measuring the clamp force in a bolted joint, thus allowing maximum preloads to maximize joint strength. The company said the washers also are useful with joints that are inaccessible to torque wrenches: No special tooling is required. Three versions are available: The standard washer is designed for use under the nut, an under-the-head version is used where space limitations are, and oversized washers are used with re-worked joints.
Keystone Helicopter expanded its accessories capabilities on the Rolls-Royce Model 250 and Honeywell LTS101 engines. The company spent $500,000 on tooling and test equipment to become a Honeywell-authorized repair and overhaul facility.
Aircraft Components Co. and Turbine Aircraft Components merged and will operate under the name Aircraft Components Co., which will be based in Tulsa, Okla.
As regional jets push more turboprops out of the passenger carrying business, newer generation turboprops are becoming more affordable for the historically low-margin air cargo business and thus are finding a future flying freight.
US Airways Express carrier PSA Airlines selected Hamilton Sundstrand to provide maintenance support for electric, air management and emergency power systems, as well as actuation equipment, on its fleet of Bombardier regional jets. The 10-year contract's value was not disclosed.
Inventory Locator Service launched a new group of services under the "My ILS" label, which allows subscribers to more easily manage the inventory information they list. Subscribers now can manage and update their inventory and MRO capability listings, contact information, company profiles and buyer/supplier preferences from one place.
Iberia's maintenance division signed a contract to perform inspections, repairs and modifications on components that equip MD-80s operated by Nigerian carrier Sosoliso Airlines.
Last June's draft airworthiness directive ordering changes to Honeywell T53 helicopter engine maintenance programs was universally panned -- if the 30-some commenters who lodged their complaints in the public docket make up the universe, that is. This space gave plenty of ink to the dissenters (O&M, September 2004, p. 24); now it's time to give credit where credit is due.
Rolls-Royce received its 500th customer for aeromanager, the e-business portal the OEM launched three years ago. The portal handled $200 million worth of spares sales in 2004.
TAP Portugal unveiled a new livery designed to coincide with its Star Alliance membership. TAP Maintenance & Engineering painted the first aircraft at its Lisbon, Portugal, base. It will take until the third quarter 2007 to paint the entire fleet of 40 aircraft, which will be repainted when the aircraft are due for their next scheduled paint job. TAP is celebrating its 60 th anniversary this year and is changing its name from TAP Air Portugal to TAP Portugal.
O&M: Four years ago, Iberia Maintenance & Engineering was just entering the third-party commercial MRO market with a range of products linked to its fleet types. What has happened since?
