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
Synergy Jet Group is the name of a new, Atlanta-based business aviation advisory firm launched by veteran aviation sales executive Tom Chapman. Airframes
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
Avionics Support Group amended STCs to install various equipment—the Wingspeed Iridium communication management systems, dual DAC International electronic flight bags, navAero tBagC2 electronic flight bags, Thales integrated standby flight display, Ritec thermal printer, Thales-Kannad (406AF) emergency locator transmitter and International Communications Group ICS-220A Iridium SATCOM system—in various aircraft, including Boeing 727, 747, 757 and 767; Bombardier CL-600-2C10/2B19 and Lockheed 328G, STCs ST03603AT, STC ST03602AT, ST03700AT, ST03600AT, ST03588AT, ST03833AT
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 (Canada). This alliance between GE and StandardAero encompasses work on both CF34 and CFM56 engines. MTU Aero Engines (Germany). GE and MTU collaborate on CF34 work. Japan Airlines (Japan). GE and JAL work together on GE90s. ST Aerospace (Singapore). GE and ST Aerospace collaborate on CFM56-3/5B/7 powerplants. KLM Engineering and Maintenance (Netherlands). CF6s and CFM56s are targets of opportunity for this collaborative effort with GE.
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.
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
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.
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
Exostar launched the next generation of its supply chain management platform, SPC 2. The E2open powered software lets users manage planning, procurement, inventory and logistics processes.
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.
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.
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.
Presidential Airways amended STC to install a single Class-A Sandel ST3400 terrain awareness warning system with remote magnetic indicator function on copilot upper left instrument panel on Casa CN-235-100/-200/-300 series aircraft, STC ST03537AT
Rolls-Royce won a $390-million order from Thai Airways International for Trent 700 engines to power an additional seven Airbus A330 aircraft scheduled to be delivered from 2011. The order includes a TotalCare service agreement. Thai already operates eight Trent 700-powered A330s, 20 Trent 800 powered Boeing 777s and 10 Trent 500-powered Airbus A340s. It also picked the Trent 900 to power six A380s. Its entire Trent fleet is supported by TotalCare. Rolls-Royce will provide Trent 700s to Tunisair to power its three Airbus A330s.
What have been your biggest challenges in the first year of refocusing Olympic Air’s maintenance business? Pascalis: We started our operation on Sept. 28, 2009, and the old Olympic Airlines actually concluded their operations on the same day. The first challenge was to take over the hangar facilities at Athens Airport: they were coming out while we were going in. It sounds easy, but it’s not. You have one huge, 40-year-old organization moving out, and us moving in on the same day. Logistically, it’s a big effort.
Premier Aviation announced Nov. 8 that it finalized the purchase of Rome, N.Y.-based Empire Aero Center from Israel Aerospace Industries. Negotiations for the purchase became public in early September, and the sale actually closed in early October, says Dave Diggle, VP marketing, sales and service. The companies did not disclose the purchase price, though Diggle notes that it included all of Empire Aero Center's assets. Premier has launched operations at the New York site and completed the third of five Airbus narrowbody C checks for a new U.S. customer there on Nov.
Iberia Maintenance’s new hangar in Barcelona, which opened last month, is expected to create 200 high-skilled jobs when it reaches full capacity. Its current staff of 60 was in training in October, and the facility expected two aircraft to arrive in November for simultaneous inspections.
