GE Capital Aviation Services, AAR Corp. and GE Engine Services have formed Aviation Inventory Management Co. to finance airframe rotables to commercial customers worldwide.
Fairchild Corp. named Eric Steiner president, Donald Miller executive vice president and general counsel and Robert Sharpe senior vice president operations.
JDA, a specialized aviation engineering firm, named Mike Rioux executive vice president. Rioux previously was vice president, engineering, maintenance and materiel for the Air Transport Association.
Lufthansa Technik GmbH (LHT) has set up what it calls Airline Support Teams, or ``Go Teams,'' on call 24 hours a day to respond to customers whose aircraft suffer engine damage anywhere in the world. In the event of damage that grounds an aircraft, teams of up to five technicians are dispatched to evaluate and repair the engine.
SR Technics and AOM Industries, technical support arm of French airline AOM, will cooperate on technical support services for DC-10 aircraft. AOM will perform A through C checks at its hangar facility in Nimes, while SR Technics will handle heavy maintenance and component support in Zurich.
Major Asian airlines are attempting to strengthen coordination among themselves and with Western aviation authorities to enhance safety, but the financial stresses that are pressuring the operations of several carriers may hinder major new developments.
When Smiths Industries won a contract in 1985 to upgrade navigation and communications systems on U.S. Air Force (USAF) C-130 transports, it established the Interim Contract Support (ICS) program to nurse the project through its growing pains. More than a decade later, that ``interim'' program still is going strong. Both the original upgrade project and the service project have proved so successful over the years, that they have grown, expanded and matured into systems that win raves from USAF and serve as examples of industry best practices.
Wescam of Ontario, Canada, received $15.6 million U.S. Coast Guard contract to upgrade sensor systems on seven C-130 transports. Subcontractors include Boeing North America, and Lockheed Martin. Contract also includes maintenance training.
Photograph: Nearly 40 Greek F-4Es are receiving avionics upgrades from a joint DASA/Elbit and Derco contract in conjunction with Hellenic Aerospace. The McDonnell Douglas F-4, a tough, high-agility Mach 2 combat aircraft, with a 38-year record of front-line service, is regarded by its proponents as an ideal platform for upgrading because of its long projected structural lifespan, multi-mission versatility and ability to carry large loads and a variety of weapons. Originally designed as a ship-borne fighter for the U.S. Navy, the rugged F-4 also was the U.S.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has developed a hybrid cycle component cleaning chamber that helps eliminate the toxic waste generated by conventional cleaning techniques. The freestanding, refrigerator-sized unit simply combines and automates two known component cleaning technologies, according to Jay Tiley, a materials engineer at the lab, which is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Two Lockheed C-130H Hercules of the Colombian air force (FAC) are to undergo major checks under a contract awarded to France's Sogerma maintenance group. The FAC's two C-130Hs were bought new from Lockheed in mid-1984. These checks are being undertaken at Sogerma's Bordeaux-Rochefort HQ, which specializes in the major maintenance, modification, overhaul and repair of Airbus, ATR, Jaguar, Mirage and Northrop F-5 aircraft, as well as C-130s.
Boeing is developing digital systems to support airline engineering and maintenance functions that should significantly cut operator costs while streamlining processes.
Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. won $150 million contract to maintain U.S. Navy T-2 and A-4 jet trainers as well as HH-1N and UH-3H helicopters. Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary will perform work at naval facilities in Meridian, Miss., and Pensacola, Fla., and at naval repair center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group named Toby Bright vice president, aircraft trading. Bright previously was vice president maintenance engineering and publishing, and is succeeded in that job by Richard G. Higgins. Higgins most recently was director of technical data products and services (see related story, p. 49).
Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems has begun engineering and manufacturing development of significant avionics upgrade for F-16 Block 40 and 50 fighters. Lockheed will develop common hardware and software avionics configuration for the two blocks. Program is valued at $84.3 million.
FlightSafety International named Doug Bowen worldwide sales manager for maintenance technician training; John Bennett manager of its training facility for de Havilland aircraft in Toronto; and Marlin Schaefer manager of its training facilities for Raytheon aircraft in Wichita, Kans.
Flight development started on May 26 of the prototype license-built Intreprinderea Aeronautica Romana IAR-330L Puma military helicopter upgraded jointly by IAR and Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd. with new digital avionics and weapons systems.
United Airlines will complete C checks on 11 America West 757 aircraft under $22 million, four-year contract. Work will take place at United's Indianapolis maintenance facility.
