Lufthansa Technik and Panasonic Avionics plan to set up a joint venture for inflight entertainment and cabin management systems for narrowbody and widebody VIP aircraft. In particular the two partners aim to combine the technologies behind Panasonic’s X series IFE system, eXConnect and eXPhone global communications systems and Lufthansa Technik’s “nice” IFE and CMS system to develop new systems with advanced features.
Archeion Holdings amended STCs to install an Avionica satlink Iridium satcom communication management system on various Boeing 727, 737, 757 and 767 series aircraft, STCs ST03689AT, ST03529AT, ST03386AT and ST03508AT
CFM International will maintain Muscat-based Oman Air’s 33 CFM56-7B engines under an Oct. 26 agreement. The contract guarantees maintenance costs on a dollar-per-engine flight hour basis for all of the powerplants that equip Oman Air’s 15 Boeing 737NGs, in addition to spares. According to CFM, Oman Air was the first customer in the Gulf region for CFM56-7B-powered 737NGs, which it ordered in 2001.
Archeion Holdings amended STC to install a mini quick access recorder model MKI, MKII, or MKIII on multiple air transport and business aircraft models, STC ST02472AT
ADDIS ABABA—While the African subcontinent represents only 4% of global MRO revenues, its markets are anticipated to witness greater demand for MRO services as a result of air traffic growth, new aircraft deliveries and airline consolidation, says Frost & Sullivan. These predictions are supported by Boeing’s September forecast, which pegs carriers in Africa to experience steady growth over the next 20 years, with a delivery of 710 airplanes in that time frame.
Ramco Systems will provide Suite 5 M&E and MRO maintenance planning software to the National Aviation Co. of India, which operates Air India, Indian Airlines, Air India Expres and Alliance, under a September contract.
StandardAero signed on to support Embraer's global pool program for the Hamilton Sundstrand APS 2300 auxiliary power units on the E-170, E-175, E-190 and E-195. The long-term agreement provides support to Embraer's Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Paris, Singapore, and Brazil facilities from StandardAero's Maryville, Tenn., repair operation. Joint Ventures/Acquisitions
Timco amended and issued STCs to install cell modems, other cabin systems and new interiors in Boeing 767-300 series aircraft; to install structural provisions for the Panasonic global communications suite on Boeing 737-700 series aircraft; and to install a Rockwell Collins SRT-2100 satcom system on Boeing 767-400ER series aircraft, STCs ST03604AT-D, ST03810AT-D, ST03808AT-D, ST03068AT-D, ST03552AT-D, ST03493AT-D, ST03492AT-D and ST03468AT-D
Scheduling has long been an issue in aviation maintenance. Current project management software such as Microsoft Project is adequate, but these programs can make thousands of microscopic errors that can add up to a lot of ups and downs in manpower and overtime requirements, says Matthew Ginsberg, CEO of On Time Systems Inc.
StandardAero named Mark Bianchi VP and general manager of its Los Angeles (LAX) facility. Bianchi most recently was senior VP and executive VP of NetJets Aviation, a position he held since 2006.
Lufthansa Technik will overhaul the CFM56-5B engines that power Austrian Airlines’ 21 Airbus A320 family aircraft over the next eight years under a new contract that covers MRO, engineering services, logistics and spare engine support. Lufthansa Technik also overhauls Austrian’s CFM56-7B and PW4000 engines.
Pratt & Whitney Canada added Kansas Aviation as a repair and overhaul supplier for constant speed units, prop governors and oil-to-fuel heaters for a variety of engine types, including the PT6T, PT6A, JT15D, PW100, PW150, PW200, PW300 and PW500.
BEIJING—The Comac C919 may present unusually difficult problems in base maintenance costs for some years after it enters service, since early production is likely to be slow and the operating fleet likely will be shared between three Chinese heavy maintenance shops.
Boeing announced plans to launch a rotable parts exchange program in conjunction with the entry into service of its 787 Dreamliner, still slated for February 2011. It aims for the program to offer another alternative to GoldCare, its comprehensive maintenance package for 787 customers. The 787 Rotable Exchange Program, which it describes as a basic, entry-level-type exchange offering, is part of its strategy to set up a shared global inventory pool for customers enlisted in 787 OEM support packages.
As cutting-edge technology renders powerplants exponentially more reliable—able to shun shop visits in a fashion earlier engines never could—cooperative agreements among OEMs and MROs are taking off. That is the irony of it.
Christchurch Engine Center (New Zealand). A JV between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand. Eagle Services Asia (Singapore). A JV involving Pratt & Whitney and SIA Engineering Co. Shanghai Engine Center (China). A joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and China Eastern Airlines. Turkish Engine Center (Turkey). A joint venture of Pratt & Whitney and Turkish Technic. Asian Compressor Technology Services (Taiwan). This tripartite JV encompasses Pratt & Whitney, SIA Engineering Co., and China Airlines.
Airline passengers and air cargo handlers may take little notice of cabin and cargo doors, but for air carriers and MROs, doors are among the more damage-prone structures on the aircraft. The impact of ground handling equipment collisions, environmental factors and aging, along with new structural safety rules coming into force in the U.S. and Europe, likely will result in more MRO resources being focused on the doors.
MyTechnic in Istanbul came under the majority control of HNA Group Co. Ltd. of China and Bravia Capital of New York with a Nov. 4 deal, the terms of which were not disclosed. MyTechnic, a Lean, greenfield MRO in Istanbul, launched in 2008. The new shareholders plan to replicate the MyTechnic model in emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.
ADI opened its doors in April 2010 at Sawyer International Airport in Gwinn, Mich. ADI’s dismantlers can take apart, remanufacture and recertify many of an aircraft’s parts for the secondary market, boosting the return on investment for aging aircraft. In addition to work at its own fixed-base facility—which includes two 30,000-sq.-ft. hangars, a 35,000-sq.-ft. warehouse and an engine test cell—ADI will travel to conduct remote teardowns anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. www.aircraftdeconstructors.com
