Wesgo Metals, a division of Morgan Advanced Ceramics, has introduced its PreSintered Preform (PSP) technology that combines super-alloy and braze powders for aircraft engine part repair. PSP is designed specifically for turbine cold-section compressor and super-alloy hot-section components. Product is used to repair airfoil throat reduction and for restoration of high-pressure turbine nozzle guide vanes. It does not distort components, eliminates shrink depressions, minimizes post-brazing grinding and needs no rebraze cycles.
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) Military Aircraft has finished flight testing for the initial operational clearance (IOC) of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) F-4 upgrade program. The IOC provides certification for the following operational use by HAF: air-to-air capability, including AMRAAM firing; and air-to-ground capability for all conventional weapons for training purposes (in simulation mode). Between May 1999 and December 1999, 15 aircraft were provided by HAF to Hellenic Aircraft Industry (HAI) in Tanagra for the production modification program.
Aviall debuted its new next-generation aviall.com website. The BroadVision-powered, XML-based website features a sophisticated search engine allowing customers and internal users quick access to Aviall's inventory of more than 230,000 parts.
Continental Airlines chose Thales Avionics' full-format printer for its fleet of 34 Boeing 767-200 and 767-400 jetliners. Thales Avionics is sole-source supplier for the flight deck printers of both 777 and the A330/A340 families. Thales Avionics printers are designed to keep pace with new onboard pilot and maintenance printing needs induced by ACARS, FANS, Satcom, LCD EFIS, and other new functions.
United Services named Garth Petersen director - airport services. Petersen will oversee United Services' contracts for ground handling and line maintenance. He most recently served as an operations manager for United Services parent United Airlines in Australia.
The Brazilian Senate finally approved financial terms Jan. 4 for the $250 million program to upgrade Brazil's Northrop F-5E/F fighter-bomber force. Elbit Systems was selected as prime contractor for the program in October 1998. Embraer now can upgrade some 48 Northrop F-5Es and nine F-5F two-seat combat trainers operated by three FAB squadrons with new Israeli avionics and U.S.-made structural components, to extend their useful lives through at least 2012.
An FAA review of in-flight entertainment systems (IFEs) turned up 18 aircraft/IFE combinations that need modifications to improve safety margins, the agency announced last month.
Kellstrom Industries, Inc., after acquiring the aircraft and engine parts resale business of Aviation Sales Co., reorganized from four to two divisions, commercial and defense.
When a corporation has maintenance done on an aircraft airframe, including a heavy maintenance visit (HMV), are the bills deductible immediately as ordinary and necessary business expenses, or must the cost be ``capitalized'' (depreciated over time)? The difference may depend in part on how the maintenance technicians describe their work. A recent IRS revenue ruling explains the factors the agency reviews in determining whether an airframe overhaul cost may be expensed, depreciated, or a combination of the two.
ATR (Avions de Transport Regional) concluded an agreement with Italy's Aeronavali, a Finmeccanica/Alenia Aerospazio subsidiary, to convert ATR-42 and ATR-72 twin turboprops into all-cargo aircraft.
Volvo Aero of Sweden and Astec Helicopter Services will form a joint venture for repair and overhaul of turboshaft engines. The move will position both companies for maintenance work stemming from the Nordic Standard Helicopter (NSH) program, as well as international opportunities. Astec is the Norwegian-based subsidiary of CHC of Canada. Under the NSH program, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are seeking to jointly acquire a multi-role helicopter for their military forces.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University named Barry Benedict, Ph.D., chief academic officer and senior vice president beginning in the fall semester, 2001. He currently is vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
WestStar Aviation named Jerry Pickett service sales representative for the mid-Southern states. He previously was a sales representative for Griffith Aviation.
Spectra Jet, located at Springfield/ Beckley Airport in southwest Ohio, received FAA certification to repair Learjet 31 and 31A business jets. The company is already authorized to maintain Lear 35/36 aircraft. Certification to add the Learjet 60 is expected in mid-2001, and then the company will pursue Lear 45 certification. In its first six months of operation, Spectra Jet completed more than 50 jobs on the Model 31/31A aircraft.
While awaiting deliveries of four leased Tupolev Tu-22M3 ``Backfire'' supersonic strategic bombers from Russia, Indian Naval Aviation is overhauling and upgrading its existing fleet of Russian long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) from CIS contracts. As the IN's longest-serving MPAs, from deliveries of five from August 1977, at least three four-turboprop Ilyushin Il-38 ``Mays'' from INAS 315 at Dabolim, Goa, have been undergoing major overhauls at the Russian Naval Aviation's 20th Repair Plant at Pushkin, St. Petersburg.
Thai Airways International selected BFGoodrich to provide landing gear overhaul services to its fleet of 737-400 aircraft. Work should be complete in November 2003. Contract is worth about $1 million, and is the company's first contract with the airline.
Pentar Avionics opened a new office in Shawnee, Kan. The new site will be known as Pentar Avionics Systems Group, and will serve as the headquarters for the company's test system business.
Roughly 18 months after GE Engine Services (GEES) launched its remote diagnostics program, the OEM is monitoring 3,300 engines and 1,400 aircraft for 17 airlines, the U.S. Air Force and various business jet operators. And though GE officials would not divulge their margins, they said the program was profitable in 2000, and forcast $10 million revenue for 2001.
Tools For Bending, Inc. has introduced a new line of disposable wiper die tips for rotary bending of thin wall tubing used in aircraft-component forming operations. Wiper dies prevent wrinkling and tube deformation during forming. Production rates may show improvement because tooling setups don't need to be changed during tip replacement. Replaceable tips are available in aluminum bronze and alloy steel, in 13 sizes ranging from 1 in. to 3 in. outside diameter. Tube groove has polished mirror surface with 180-deg. tube containment.
With a workforce of more than 4,000, 13 joint ventures and two more in the works, SIA Engineering Co. (SIAEC) is working to win business by expanding its capabilities -- ultimately aiming to become the No.1 MRO operation in Asia. The company's 330,000 sq. ft. of space in two hangars can handle commercial transports up to the Boeing 747. In addition, SIAEC offers 23 back shops and an engine test cell with 150,000-lbs. thrust capacity -- more than enough for any engine in service or planned for service.
