Information about choosing the correct eye protection can be found in Standard 1926.102 of OSHA part 1926. Eyewear should comply with ANSI Z87.1 standards. OSHA’s regulations for noise exposure can be found in standard 1910.95 of part number 1910.
LONDON—The 230 airline members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that operate Western-built jets are significantly safer than non-IATA carriers, according to figures recently released by the association. In 2010, it recorded 26 fatal airline accidents that resulted in the deaths of 817 passengers and crew, compared to 28 accidents causing 749 deaths in 2009.
If the demand for passenger cabin power is propelling STC and retrofit growth, so too might the cockpit. Some carriers are considering adopting commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, such as iPads, for use as electronic flight bags (EFB). To make such a switch, “You have to have a power supply that satisfies the certification requirements of a power supply system for a [portable electronic device], like the passenger has in the back” of the airplane, says ASIG's managing director Luke Ribich.
Rolls-Royce is facing court action from Qantas to recover losses the airline maintains it suffered after the uncontained blade failure of a Trent 900 engine on one of its Airbus A380s in late 2010. The airline was forced to ground its A380 fleet for several weeks following the incident for safety checks, which meant using Boeing 747s on its A380 routes to avoid service disruptions.
Delta TechOps will provide engine overhauls for at least half of GOL's CFM56-7s and maintenance services for various parts and components on GOL's Boeing 737NG fleet. Delta TechOps also will assist GOL as it works toward FAA Part 145 repair station certification. In return, GOL will assist Delta with line maintenance services in Brazil. The five-year contract includes a five-year option.
Until 2010, Boeing 737NG and 737 Classic aircraft models had metal proximity sensors with a design that facilitated moisture damage. Over the years, the possibility of damage increased. Newer deicing fluids such as potassium formate catalyzed the corrosion inside these sensor casings. To solve the fluid ingress problem, Crane has developed new titanium proximity sensors for the 737NG, with support for the 737 Classic following early this year. Crane’s new titanium sensor configuration, 80-207-01, will replace the 1-899-29 metal sensors that have been developing corrosion.
Lufthansa Technik’s three-year-old subsidiary in Sofia, Bulgaria, completed its 50th maintenance check, an event that also marked the MRO group’s 100th such check for BMI and subsidiary bmibaby.
Avtrade director sales and technical Tim Large has retired after 21 years at the company. Avtrade also restructured management: Nathan Kent has been appointed director of sales and marketing, Tracy Keegan becomes director of contract management, Tom Lane now is director of asset management and Chris Christou will take the role of director of finance.
For the past five years, Boeing and Fujitsu have been working together to develop an aircraft maintenance solution that incorporates radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and contact memory buttons (CMBs) with an integrated suite of software applications. Boeing will begin rolling out the system, known as automated identification technology (AIT), in the spring.
When it comes to supply chain and maintenance software, should you turn to an ERP vendor for all of your solutions, like SAP or Oracle? Or should you add on-point solutions from the likes of Mxi, Trax, Servigistics or their best-of-breed competitors? Both sides make a persuasive case for their approach.
3M experts recommend the FF-400 respirator for repairs on aircraft components made of glass, boron and carbon fibers. The respirator’s design has features for added comfort such as a soft silicone nose cup, a “cool flow” valve for easier breathing, a large lens and a head cradle. The FF-400 is the only respirator with a Scotchguard-coated lens, which beads coatings and paints on the surface for easy removal. www.3m.com
Goodrich's new, Boeing-approved, lightweight wheel and brake assemblies are compatible with the current landing gear of Boeing 777-200LR, 777F and 777-300ER aircraft. The brakes are made of Goodrich’s Duracarb carbon brake disk material; the configuration leads to a weight savings of 260 lb. per aircraft. Duracarb brakes also are certified on the Boeing 737. www.goodrich.com
Lufthansa Technik will overhaul eight sets of Airbus A340-300 center landing gears for Emirates over two years under a new contract, which also includes exchange and other support from Hamburg.
Gazpromavia Aviation signed a five-year contract with AFI KLM E&M for its subsidiary Epocor to maintain Boeing 737NG auxiliary power units. Gazpromavia is Epcor’s first Russian customer.
Take a look around the cabin the next time your flight reaches 10,000 ft., when that familiar "ding" descends from the PA. As passengers unpack their laptops, iPhones and portable DVD players—among the most common carry-on personal electronic devices or PEDs—and plug in, consider where that power comes from and whether the supply will be plentiful enough for you to have any.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) in the maintenance environment is important, but safety devices work best when a strong program is active in the workplace. Common types of PPE include hearing, respiratory and eye protection devices as well as protective clothing. Before using these products in the workplace, consult the technical manual and experts at distributors to ensure best safety practices and the appropriate equipment for specific applications.
Air France Industries received renewed approval for its single and global certification for nine sets of guidelines, including the new ISO 26000 social responsibility standard, per Bureau Veritas Certification audits.
Pratt & Whitney closed a deal with Gas Turbine Efficiency to purchase the assets of Gas Turbine’s aviation business, including the technology behind the engine OEM’s EcoPower engine wash service. Pratt had been leasing the technology exclusively since 2004. Facilities
GE Aviation inked engine, fuel and carbon management OnPoint contracts with Air India and Alitalia. The 20-year contract with Air India includes expanding the carrier’s MRO capabilities at Mumbai to include engine overhaul for the GE90. Eventually, it aims to add an engine MRO facility in Nagpur. For Alitalia, GE will analyze fuel spend and operations using proprietary software and consulting services. It expects to reduce the airline’s fuel consumption by 3% on certain segments.
Lufthansa Technik will manage component support for five USA3000 Airbus A320-200 aircraft under a multi-year contract that covers several hundred part numbers. Repair work will take place in Frankfurt and Hamburg, but Lufthansa Technik also will set up a home base lease in Fort Myers, Fla. Air New Zealand also picked Lufthansa Technik rotable component pooling support for its Boeing 777-200 and -300 aircraft, becoming the MRO’s first New Zealand-based customer.
The global economy and environmental concerns are changing the aircraft painting business as more MROs seek coatings with fewer hazardous materials and greater efficiency.
