Since its introduction, inflight entertainment (IFE) has required “meet and greet” service to ensure systems operate properly and to resolve hardware failures. An aircraft lands, then technicians pull the BITE data, identify problems and assemble the necessary resources to fix those problems. Depending on turnaround time and other pending maintenance tasks, a mechanic may or may not have time to troubleshoot the problem and then remove and replace failed hardware. Depending on the problem, he or she may or may not have access to the right parts.
Enigma delivered its 3C InService MRO software to Korean Air to manage airframe, engine and component maintenance across 25 aircraft in conjunction with Enigma Revision Manager, Oracle UCM and XMetal. This is the first aviation MRO win for the Enigma-Oracle partnership.
SR Technics will modify the cabin layout of three Qatar Airways Airbus A321s and two A319s at its Zurich facilities by the end of the year. The upgrade includes new seats, IFE and mobile communications.
Goodrich plans to buy DeCrane’s cabin management assets for around $280 million. The deal was expected to close in August. Goodrich also acquired Crompton Technology Group, the U.K. designer of advanced carbon fiber composites. And, it put the finishing touches on an agreement with Turkish Technic to set up a joint venture MRO in Istanbul that marks Goodrich’s first move into Turkey.
Aviation Technical Services will install Lumexis’s Fiber-To-The-Screen inflight entertainment system on 44 post-delivery modification Boeing 737-800s for flydubai. Parts/Components
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.
Mubadala Aerospace teamed with Goodrich to set up the region’s first dedicated landing gear facility by 2012. And, Honeywell extended licenses to ADAT and SR Technics as authorized service providers on current types as well as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350XWB.
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.
Flight Dynamics Division reissued STC to install head-up guidance system Model 4200 on Bombardier CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 and 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) series aircraft, STC ST01390LA
GE Aviation named John Gough head of OnPoint fuel and carbon solutions. Gough will continue to lead Flight Operations and work to integrate the two organizations.
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
After several years of recession-induced cutbacks, airlines are once more eyeing cabin refurbishments. Trends such as lighter weight seating for a mix of classes stand out, but carriers still seek to strike the right balance between comfort and cost savings. They want solutions that suit their business models and make sense on fleets and routes. This necessitates variety and innovation. For seat suppliers, this could mean a return to better times.
Aircraft Systems & Manufacturing amended STC to install a Teledyne Controls Airborne Wireless LAN unit and enhanced airborne data loader on Boeing 737-800, 900 and 900ER series, STC ST10819SC
Electronic Cable Specialists to install mounting brackets as provisions for future mechanical installation of electronic flight bag display units and remote processing units on Boeing 777-200, 200LR, 300 and 300ER series aircraft, STC ST02835CH
Iberia Maintenance is developing an automated robotic workshop that will accomplish each step of a compressor blade repair process in a closed, predictable environment. The automated repair process, with minor differences, can be used for almost all compressor blades regardless of manufacturer, says José Luis Quirós Cuevas, the company’s VP sales, marketing and business development. “It’s a single technique.” Iberia’s goal is to repair about 60,000 blades per year and become a center of excellence for compressors.
A J Walter Aviation added work for Royal Jet to its Dubai hub’s customer base with a July agreeement for one Airbus A319 aircraft. AJW also plans to invest $10 million in Airbus A320/A330 inventory in Los Angeles, and it gained a Delta TechOps spares deal worth more than $10 million. In Europe, Dutch carrier Jet Time picked AJW support for its Boeing 737-400s in addition to six already covered 737-300s.
