Timco Aerosystems certified a new life raft stowage system for the Boeing 737NG that lets operators store the rafts in the ceiling above the aisle rather than in overhead bins to increase carry-on baggage space (see pg. 56). Joint Ventures/Acquisitions
TransDigm Group completed the acquisition of the Telair International’s actuation group on Dec. 31, 2010, for approximately $94 million in cash. It expects calendar 2010 revenues of approximately $25 million, with significant aftermarket content. Facilities
Here’s a wake-up call to the maintenance industry: More than half of all maintenance managers in a May 2010 Baines Simmons Americas survey* think their employees complete jobs despite the non-availability of specified tools or equipment. Another 16% said they believe their employees have signed off for uncompleted work due to limited time or resources. And one in 10 managers admitted their line supervisors would approve a mechanic’s actions if he didn’t follow procedures in order to get an aircraft out.
Air Works India Engineering expanded its line maintenance services to Trichy International Airport—its second location after Bengaluru International Airport. It plans to add a third facility at a non-metro airport in South India.
Goodrich signed a nacelle services agreement with Air Arabia to support nacelles and thrust reversers in the airline’s fleet of more than 50 Airbus A320 aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. The 10-year Prime Solutions nacelle services agreement will be managed through Goodrich’s Dubai campus in Jebel Ali, UAE. The low-cost carrier is based close by, in Sharjah, UAE.
Electronic Cable Specialists amended STC to install Airsat II satcom wiring and antenna provisions on Boeing 747-200B/-200F/-400 series aircraft, STC ST02159CH
As both an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket service provider, Sargent Aerospace & Defense has a unique advantage in creating high-value repairs. In late November, Sargent announced that its new, 70,000-sq.-ft. facility in Tucson, Ariz., set to open in March, will launch a new product introduction (NPI) department.
Much to my chagrin, I spotted an error in our January issue about two minutes after opening it. I bristled and wondered how this could have happened—especially in my editor’s message! This is the only mistake I found in the issue, thankfully, but my disappointment made me backtrack. How could it have happened? Voilà, it was human factors error. I was rushed and facing a deadline, subject to the same pressures that weigh on airlines and MROs as they hurry to get aircraft back up in the air!
Emirates Current Fleet: 153 (146 passenger and seven cargo, five of which are wet leased) Employees: Around 3,350 in engineering Facilities: Dubai Engineering Technical Center has seven hangar bays (all Airbus A380 capable), one A380-capable paint facility, one engine run pen, nine parking bays, plus overhaul workshops, a supply center, training facility and offices; an engine test cell around 40 km. from DXB has capability on engines up to 150,000 lb. thrust. Square footage: Approximately 250,000 sq. meters
TeamSAI M&E Solutions expanded its technical services support for World Airways. In addition to reliability and maintenance program support, TeamSAI M&E Solutions will provide all engineering functions and responsibilities including liaison and operational support, on-wing powerplant engineering, modification programs, reliability improvement, configuration management and service bulletin evaluation.
Nordam named Meredith Siegfried president from her former position as company COO. T. Hastings Siegfried, COO of Nordam’s transparency group, became vice chairman and chairman of the company’s governance committee in addition to his other duties. Basil Barimo, VP global engineering and quality for the repair group, took a new role as general manager of Nordam’s repair division. Steve Pack continues as VP of the manufacturing group.
Timco Aerosystems offers a new overhead stowage compartment for life rafts on Boeing 737NG and Boeing 757 aircraft. The product was first developed for a U.S. airline that was required to install life rafts when it added new overseas routes. Jeff Luedeke, Timco’s VP sales and marketing, says that retrofitting narrowbodies with Timco’s overhead storage bins is an easy option for airlines starting to fly smaller aircraft on short overseas routes.
BusinessObjects. AJ Walter Aviation awarded its annual maintenance management scholarship to Yassine Herraz, maintenance planning and packaging manager at Royal Air Maroc. Herraz will attend the City University London’s MSc in aircraft maintenance management program with AJW sponsorship. IT
Chromalloy principal engineer Steve Schultz received special delegation from the U.S. FAA as a repair specification designated engineering representative (DER). Schultz received DER appointment in 1996, and has approved hundreds of repairs since then.
The little engines that start, assist and sometimes replace propulsion engines are taking on many of the characteristics of their on-wing brethren. Auxiliary power units are becoming more reliable, thriftier with fuel and more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, APU maintenance increasingly follows wing-engine practices, covered by maintenance contracts from manufacturers and guided by sophisticated analysis of sensor data.
