The AH-64 Apache's undisputed reputation as the best attack helicopter in the world persuaded the British Army Air Corps (AAC) to invest nearly $5 billion on a fleet of 67 made under license in the U.K. by GKN Westland. When the first one is delivered in March, it will herald the biggest stepforward in technology and capability the Corps has ever seen.
Rolls-Royce and Science Applications International Corp., in a joint venture called Data Systems&Solutions, sold a real-time engine condition monitoring system to Condor Flugdienst, charter affiliate of Lufthansa German Airlines. Carrier will use the ECM system to monitor 13 RB211-535-powered Boeing 757-300s entering service this year through 2000.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University named Stan Mackiewicz to head a special program on ab initio aviation mechanic training. Mackiewicz has served as president of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) since 1995.
American Airlines will install fully flat sleeper seats in the first-class section of its fleet of 767-300 aircraft. Seats will be installed by summer 2000.
M.M. Newman Corp. introduced its Heli-Tube spirally cut cable wrap and protector, a product that it says can bundle, organize and protect pneumatic hoses in a variety of applications. Product applies like tape, without tools, for organizing and bundling air hoses from 1/4 in. to 7 in. diameter. Product comes in six different U.L.-approved materials for specific applications and wraps bundles, wire, cables and hoses to resist abrasion, dampen vibration and insulate.
Sermatech-Lehr is offering a high-speed alternative to conventional mechanical disk broaching that uses electrochemical machining (ECM) to etch blade insertion slots into gas turbine disks. Company says process can reduce production time of turbine engine disks by up to 50% by forming multiple rough slots in one machine cycle. Conventional broach tools require repeated sharpening and must be replaced after 100 to 200 uses, according to Sermatech, while its ECM process requires only initial tooling cost. Process leaves only .015 to .040 in.
In August 1998, Gulfstream Aerospace, outbidding at least two competitors, acquired Dallas-based K-C Aviation amid a great deal of speculation about motives, the tight supply of large bizjet completion capacity and the OEM's sometimes bitter competition with Bombardier.
Innotech-Execaire named Nigel Argent sales and marketing director for its Execaire unit in Toronto; Chris Heredia to replace Argent as GM of the group's Vancouver base; Rob Brooks vice president of technical operations; Richard Zalac director of engineering; and Howard McEachern director of operations of the group's maintenance and interior refurbishing facility at Montreal.
The traditional business plan for aircraft engine OEMs has been called the Gillette model: ``Give away the razor; sell them the blades,'' in which the enginemaker makes its money selling new spare parts for its products. But Pratt&Whitney Canada, which produces a wide variety of turboprop, turbofan and turboshaft engines for the regional and corporate markets, has turned its back on that philosophy.
Rolls-Royce named Dennis Duke general manager, engine services at its Indianapolis facility. Duke most recently worked with the Rolls-Royce aftermarket strategy team.
FLS Aerospace (IRL) Ltd., formerly TEAM FLS Aerospace Ltd., named Bernard Hensey managing director. Earlier this year, Hensey was appointed executive president-aircraft overhaul for the FLS Aerospace Group.
Secureaplane received FAA PMA for its wireless smoke detection system for use on Boeing 727-100 aircraft for D and E class lower cargo compartment upgrades.
Honeywell has combined a GPS navigation system with a laser gyro to provide a solution to the performance and reliability problems of current-generation ARINC 561 inertial navigation systems. The so-called ``Classic Navigator'' is available for Boeing 747-100/200/300s, Douglas DC-10s, Airbus A300-B4s and Lockheed L-1011s.
GE Engine Services will maintain, repair and overhaul Pratt&Whitney JT9-7 engines on PeaceAir's fleet of five Boeing 747-200 aircraft under a 10-year, $35 million contract. Work will take place at GE Aircraft Engines' facility in Nantgarw, Wales.
Raytheon will provide contractor logistics support for USAF's fleet of 180 T-1A Jayhawk trainers under a one-year $32.5 million contract. The deal includes nine one-year options that could be worth $491.1 million.
Cathay Pacific selected AlliedSignal to maintain APUs for its Airbus A330/A340 and Boeing 777 aircraft. AlliedSignal will do the work at its Singapore repair facility.
Work has started on the first of five from Brazil's dozen or more Lockheed C/KC/RC-130E/H Hercules scheduled to begin a $50 million avionics and structural upgrade program with Milwaukee-based Derco Aerospace. Originally scheduled in November 1998, as part of Brazil's $1.4 billion Amazonian defense (SIVAM) program, implementation has been delayed by other funding priorities, but first deliveries are expected before year-end.
Boeing Airplane Services signed letters of intent with several international MRO operations to develop retrofit packages for Boeing aircraft. Companies include Aeronavali of Italy, BFGoodrich, Israel Aircraft Industries, Singapore Technologies Aerospace and a new consortium of Taiwanese companies. The group will work with Boeing to develop, design and produce freighter conversions, avionics enhancements, interior reconfigurations and in-flight entertainment system installations.
British Airways selected its wholly owned subsidiary BAAE Ltd., South Wales, to maintain avionics on BA's new Airbus aircraft. The airline has placed 59 firm orders and 129 options for A319/A320 aircraft. Also, BAAE purchased Aerospatiale Matra's ATEC test benches and test program sets to help maintain the avionics on the Airbus narrowbodies.
