Fusion, the initial name for Panasonic’s Integrated Smart Monitor, is not only a great description of the industry’s first fully integrated IFE/seat solution, it’s also a great description of the future of IFE. That’s because tomorrow’s cabins are going to be less about individual IFE vendors supplying and servicing individual products and more about vendors of cabin products merging solutions and taking a more holistic approach to both design and maintenance.
Most aviation maintenance workers and their managers can tell tales of long work hours, most often associated with an aircraft on ground situation. Determination to get the job done and the motivation of overtime pay contribute to the work hours mentioned in off-the-record boasts. The result? Mechanics who perform safety-critical tasks in a mental and physical performance state match that of an alcohol-impaired driver. These employees are not fit for duty.
SR Technics plans to expand its piece part repair business from bases in Zurich and Cork, Ireland. And, Thomson Airways selected SR Technics component services for 45 Boeing aircraft until 2015. The deal covers 29 Boeing 757s and 16 767s. JV/Acquisitions
BMI picked PDQ Airspares to dispose of surplus Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 consumables under a multi-year contract that initially covers 21,000 line items.
Hamilton Sundstrand is simulating transactions with All Nippon Airways to ensure operational readiness for its nine systems on the Boeing 787. The company is printing airworthiness approval tags, shipping boxes and moving hardware to double-check that new part numbers and nomenclatures will work before ANA receives its first 787. Hamilton Sundstrand has a 10-year supply chain contract with ANA.
2009 AUDITS PER ORGANIZATION EVA Total Audits 2009 EVA Regulatory Audits 2009 EVA Customer Audits 2009 EVA Internal Audits 2009 EVA Audit Costs 2009 43 16 23 N/A $200,000 AAR Total Audits 2009 AAR Regulatory (FAA) Audits 2009 AAR Customer Audits 2009 A
LONDON—Ireland’s place in world aviation took off in 1975 with the creation of Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA), a commercial aircraft sales and leasing company that went on to become the world’s largest commercial aircraft lessor. Since the late 1980s, GPA’s fortunes and ownership have fluctuated, forcing many of its former staff to find work with the other aircraft lessors that followed it to Dublin.
Ametek appointed Richard A. Madamba senior VP aerospace and defense from his former position as VP and general manager MRO. Madamba’s vacancy is filled by Gregory Young, who joins Ametek from Texas Aero Engine Services.
These three products have similar goals—measuring the length and quality of your sleep—but take different approaches. This discussion is not an endorsement of a particular product. The ZEO Personal Sleep Coach (about $200, myzeo.com) is a monitoring device that includes access to sleep-coaching software. It collects data through a headband with a brain-activity sensor on your forehead. The accompanying support software aims to help you understand the data and your sleep patterns.
N3 Engine Overhaul Services received German aviation authority Part 145 certification to service Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, an Airbus A380 powerplant.
There’s a continuous, almost cacophonous, call out there today that commands commercial aircraft main-tainers to demonstrate compliance to regulators, customers and accrediting agencies. The chosen instrument is the audit, and some claim the industry is all but awash in them.
FL Technics plans to invest $25 million in 20 new line stations in Europe, starting with one opened at Milan Malpensa airport in June. It operates nine line stations now and aims to run a total of 30 by 2012.
The EU-U.S. bilateral has been signed, at least in principle, but it remains subject to the deliberations of U.S. Congress on FAA reauthorization. At press time, the two houses of Congress held different opinions on the final look of the bill. When they reach a compromise, Congress will produce a consolidated document.
O&M readership is growing in volume and global reach—we’ve got more readers around the globe than ever before. Thank you! Besides growing, we’re trying to help you better navigate MRO trends and connections. We’ve added more writers in Europe and in Asia Pacific, and we’re launching a new print and online MRO marketplace tool (see pg. 83 for its print debut).
REB Technologies amended STC to install night vision imaging system compatible infrared filters on Eurocopter France AS-350B, B1, B2 and BA helicopters, STC SR09430RC
Gulf Technics and SIA Engineering Co. (SIAEC) intend to open a new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Bahrain by 2012. It will accommodate up to two widebody aircraft or four narrowbody aircraft, says project manager Saleh Al Othman. Construction is expected to start later this year or early next year.
