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?
Keystone recently provided green completions on three Agusta A109E Power and two A119 Koala helicopters. Completions helped the OEM handle a strong surge in year-end orders, Keystone said.
MIRO Technologies Inc.'s AuRA enterprise solution is moving into the final project planning and implementation phase for SAS. AuRA has completed a successful proof-of-concept at SAS in Stockholm.
SAS Group selected MIRO Technologies' (formerly Spirent Systems) AuRA engineering and maintenance management system. Scandinavian Airlines initially will implement AuRA for JAR OPS1 (M) activity. Future phases will integrate the product with Scandinavian Technical Services's JAS145 functions.
U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and FAA are jointly evaluating a new identification friend or foe (IFF) system known as Mode 5. (U.S. military and NATO forces currently use Mode 4.) The U.S. will continue testing the Mode 5 IFF system through the spring and then the Italian military will flight test it this summer. Initial operational capability is scheduled for 2007.
Northrop Grumman received a $12.5 million contract from the USAF to modify 18 C-17 aircraft with Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure capability, as well as provide spares, support and training.
Tyco Plastics & Adhesives' new tape for sealing aircraft cargo compartments is specifically designed to seal seams and repair cargo compartment liners. The Polyken 296FR is designed to cover pins and rivets where high adhesion and flame resistance is critical. The tape meets Boeing, Airbus, U.S. and European flame retardant content testing.
