FiatAvio signed a time and materials support agreement with Mandala Airlines covering the carrier's Pratt&Whitney JT8D-Standard engines. The contract is for five years and cover the complete engine fleet management of 28 engines that power the Indonesian carrier's fleet of Boeing 737-200s.
Pemco Aviation Group took in a USAF KC-135 tanker at its Birmingham, Ala., facility as the first aircraft to undergo programmed depot maintenance at Pemco under a subcontracting agreement with Boeing. The companies plan to sign a contract by the end of September that extends their relationship for six years.
Rex-Cut Products, Inc., is offering a new line of nonwoven cotton-fiber mounted points for deburring, finishing, and edge-breaking precision machined parts in a single operation without changing their geometry. Tips feature laminated construction of nonwoven cotton fiber and abrasive grains for smooth, controlled, chatter-free grinding. Pressed and bonded into industry-standard A, B, and W shapes, tips are available with either aluminum oxide or silicon carbide abrasives in very-fine to coarse grain sizes, and soft, medium and hard bonds. Points are available in 1/4-in.
Hornell has released the new 9000Xi auto-darkening welding lens especially for the leanest TIG inverter welding technology. TIG inverters provide extremely steady, flat frequencies, which can challenge auto-darkening welding lenses, especially when low-amperage settings are used or the arc is obscured. Speedglas 9000Xi lens has been tested and proven effective across a wide range of new inverter machines, at settings as low as 1 amp, according to Hornell.
DPI Labs has introduced the world's first 600-watt, multi-configurable audio amplifier, calling it ideal for one, two, and three-cabin planes or corporate helicopters. The MS3006 audio amplifier, with interchangeable I/O connectors and six independent 100-watt audio channels, can take the place of up to three high-end amplifiers, saving up-front costs while conserving space and fuel.
TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace), a leader among OEMs intent on developing an e-commerce capability to support their own customers (as opposed to developing industry-wide marketplaces) launched AeroVantix at Paris. The product, which TRW described as ``the first fully functional, all-encompassing aerospace e-business portal,'' is designed to give TRW customers round the clock access to TRW and its supply base with on-line service to key data.
Hawker Pacific Aerospace's majority shareholder, Lufthansa Technik AG, has provided a revolving line of credit to Hawker's wholly owned London subsidiary, Hawker Pacific Aerospace Ltd., for up to approximately $7.4 million.
EADS will acquire Australian Aerospace Pty. Ltd., the defense activities of Australia's Hawker Pacific. Australian Aerospace's core businesses include airframe modification and maintenance.
M.M. Newman Corp. is offering a new temperature-controlled soldering station featuring a 25-watt soldering iron and selection of gold-plated tips to provide easy wetting and conform to military electronic soldering requirements. Antex Model 660-TC temperature-controlled soldering station has thumbhole-selectable settings from 150 deg. F to 840 deg. F. and a 25-watt soldering iron providing tip-to-ground continuity. System heats up fully in less than two minutes, and provides quick recovery time, company says. Gold-plated tips slide directly over .135-in. heating element.
TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace) signed a long-term agreement with HRD Aero Systems Inc./HRD Oxygen Systems Inc., Valencia, Calif., to invest jointly in a service center for aircraft pressure vessels in the Asia-Pacific region. The new service center will be set up within the existing TRW Aeronautical Systems repair facility in Singapore.
Rolls-Royce signed an agreement with Blades Technology Ltd. (BTL), making the Israeli company the exclusive original equipment manufacturer for existing configuration T56 and Model 501-D22 Series III engine first-stage turbine blades.
Heico Corp. and American Airlines parent AMR Corp. are forming a joint venture to produce and sell engine parts. Under the deal, AMR and Heico will put up more than $10 million for the new venture. Heico will develop the parts and obtain FAA parts manufacturer approvals; AMR will provide both technical and marketing support as well as input on what parts will be made.
Jet Aviation received approval from Germany's civil aviation authority, LBA, to maintain Challenger 604, Gulfstream and Falcon 900EX business jets at its facility in Hanover, Germany.
United Air Specialists, Inc.'s Kleentek line of electrostatic oil-cleaning systems is designed to remove insoluble contaminants, including tars and varnishes, from hydraulic oil systems for maximum performance and control in aviation facilities, company says. Kleentek oil-cleaning systems minimize maintenance problems by using electrostatic principles to draw contaminants of all sizes out of oil, trapping them on a collector. System is so effective that the need for continual oil changes is eliminated, company says.
Duncan Aviation Engine Service Center named Doug Alleman turbine engine service sales representative. A 13-year veteran of Duncan, Alleman has served as engine technical representative and MPI shop supervisor. Also, Duncan named Mike Bernholtz MPI shop supervisor for its Lincoln, Neb., facility; and Craig Bohling engine technical representative and training coordinator. Also, Dan Buzz was named vice president of modifications and completions at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Neb.
Airline Suppliers Association named Mitch Weinberg to its board of directors, replacing Paula Sparks, who left the board after leaving AVTEAM and joining Pratt&Whitney. Weinberg is a 23-year veteran of International Aircraft Associates, Inc.
Rockwell Collins named Robert Chiusano executive vice president and COO, government systems; and Neal Keating executive vice president and COO, commercial systems. Chiusano previously was vice president and general manager of Rockwell Collins Government Systems; Keating previously was vice president and general manager, Rockwell Collins Air Transport Systems.
Wood Group Power Inc. has created Wood Group Aero Propulsion division by combining Wood Group Aero, Inc., Wood Group Turbopower, Inc., and Wood Group Aviation Support, LLC, under central management. Robert Hanrahan, formerly executive vice president of Wood Group Gas Turbines and president of Wood Group Aero, will become president of Aero Propulsion.
Alenia Aerospazio and Aeronavali have signed a memorandum of agreement with The Boeing Co. to become partners in the development, production and support of a tanker/transport version of the 767. The agreement was triggered by the Italian Air Force's selection of the 767 to fulfill its need for a new tanker.
RTS Rework Inc. won parts manufacturer approval (PMA) to produce the replacement/modification for air inlet screen assemblies for Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6A engines.
