Sargent Aerospace & Defense formed a new department aimed at growing its aftermarket services business. It reports that since launching in the fall of 2010, the new product introduction department has developed more than 60 new repair capabilities. It plans to add 6-10 new capabilities per month, including component repairs for the Airbus A320, Boeing 737NG and Boeing 777 families. Training
Chromalloy opened a new office in Beijing, and it launched its website in Chinese. It also announced plans to build a $5 million, 40,000-sq.-ft. ceramic core production facility in Tampa, adjacent to its new casting center. Construction is scheduled to start this year so that the facility can launch operations in early 2012.
BAE Systems aims to develop a more regionalized African strategy to support the growing numbers of its commercial aircraft in the region. South Africa has proven to be an attractive market for the BAe 146/Avro RJ in particular, with four operators of the type in the country. Two of these carriers provide aircraft and crew for operators in other African countries, such as Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya and Republic of the Congo.
Austrian Airlines retrofitted its Fokker fleet’s cabins with LED lighting. The work was done at Austrian Technik Bratislava with the help of Fokker Services engineers working onsite. The Fokker Services LED package also is available for retrofit on other aircraft types.
Lufthansa plans to launch the world’s first scheduled commercial passenger flights powered by biofuel in the first half of 2011. The blend of 50% hydrotreated vegetable oil will fuel an IAE V2500-powered Airbus A321 flying daily services between Hamburg and Frankfurt. The flights will begin in April 2011, and continue for a period of six months as part of the Burn Fair research and technology project to study the long-term impact of sustainable biofuels on aircraft performance. Airbus will provide technical assistance and monitor fuel properties.
Happy new year! I hope 2011 is off to a good start for you, and to make it even better, Overhaul & Maintenance presents its first MRO Almanac—full of business opportunities, benchmarks and analysis. We wanted to create a reliable reference package that you can use to develop and gauge your operation.
Astronautics Corp. of America reissued STC to install Astronautics pilot information displays/electronic flight bags on Boeing 767-200 and 767-300 series aircraft, STC ST01963CH
Arinc Engineering Services plans to more than double its Oklahoma City service center with a 62,000-sq.-ft. hangar it will begin building this month. The company says the expansion comes in response to growing demand for avionics upgrades and scheduled depot maintenance, particularly among its government clients.
Moog Inc. repair technology development manager and DER Walter Mroch received special delegation as a repair specification designated engineering representative per FAA Notice N8110.111, as well as major repair delegation for systems and equipment (Chart C1) and propulsion accessories (Chart B) for major repairs.
CFM International celebrated the delivery of its 7,000th CFM56-7B engine to Boeing Commercial Airplanes to power the 3,500th Boeing 737NG aircraft, which is slated for delivery to Copa Airlines later this year. China Eastern Airlines also ordered CFM56-5B engines worth $600 million to power 30 new Airbus A320 family aircraft, plus a long-term, rate-per-flight-hour agreement for maintenance, and it signed its current fleet up for a 15-year material services agreement with CFM.
Dutch airframer NG Aircraft (formerly Rekkof Aircraft) is to receive a €19.7 million ($14.5 million) repayable advance from the Dutch government to aid it in developing the Fokker Next Generation, an updated version of the F-100 short-haul jetliner. The advance will fund the experimental development of winglets and avionics for the aircraft, engine design revisions, and the integration of a demonstrator aircraft for concept validation.
Audio Control Panel Actuator-Valve, Single Motor Battery IFE Enhanced Passenger Control Unit IFE Monitor Passenger Interface and Supply Adapter Radio Management Panel Spoiler Elevator Computer Slat and Flap, Control Computer Wheel Assembly Main Landing Gear *Aircraft Equipped With IFE
Aeronautical Engineers Inc. will convert a Boeing 737-300SF nine-pallet configuration aircraft for an undisclosed customer under a late November contract. The 737-300 was built in 1988, and was then undergoing freighter modification and heavy maintenance at Commercial Jet Inc. in Miami. It also had inducted a second Boeing 737-400SF 11-pallet configuration conversion at Flightstart Aircraft Services in Jacksonville, Fla., for customer Aviation Capital Group.
Lufthansa Technik’s Guideline ColourFit floor-path marking system already is in use with more than 400 airlines, but the glow-in-the-dark lights now are available in thinner versions for use in galleys with non-textile flooring. The floor-path markers retain light from cabin lighting to guide passengers to emergency exits in the case of smoke or electrical failure. Available in 15 colors, Guideline ColourFit comes in shades that match most aircraft interiors and have an unlimited lifespan. www.lufthansa-technik.com/guideline/welcome/welcome.html
Ramco Systems Canada will provide its Aviation Series 5 software to Aveos under a late November contract. The software suite includes Ramco’s financials and aviation analytics modules.
PROBLEM: Virgin America’s Technical Operations at Los Angles International Airport wanted a more ecological approach to cleaning its fleet of 30 aircraft in the midst of emerging environmental standards. SOLUTION: No-water drywashing from Certified Aviation Services
AFI KLM E&M and Max Aerospace signed a strategic partnership agreement to exchange skills to serve customers in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in component support.
Lufthansa Consulting will work with Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines to monitor the carriers’ safety status under an agreement with the Libyan African Aviation Holding Co. Six consultants will work in Tripoli to suggest possible improvements and to develop a safety and quality concept to present the holding company. Lufthansa Consulting also will work with the two carriers on a three-month pilots’ upgrade program of testing to determine additional training needs.
When a disgruntled JetBlue flight attendant made a dramatic exit from his job via the aircraft’s escape slide in August 2010, it momentarily focused the public’s attention on this invisible but vital life-saving component.
TNT Airways received the first of 11 converted Boeing 737F freighters from GE Capital Aviation Services in November to replace its existing 737 fleet. The 11 aircraft include nine 737-400s and two 737-300s; these will supplement 10 converted freighters TNT now leases from Gecas to expand its services to Europe. Engines
