As part of the normal maintenance process, aircraft safety systems such as oxygen masks and evacuation slides must be disabled to prevent accidental activation. At TIMCO Aviation Services, hundreds of preventative safety pins typically are inserted at the start of a maintenance process and then removed at the end of the job. If these pins aren’t removed at the end of the service operation, the safety equipment will not function when the aircraft is returned to service, and the flight crew will have no indication that the system is not operative.
The air force’s fleet of 63 MiG-29 fighters will be upgraded with a new identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) system and cryptographic computer. Russian Aircraft Corp.'s MiG subcontracted the work to Thales, which is supplying its TSB 2500 IFF interrogator and transponder, as well as the computer.
GE Aviation started M601E turboprop engine training courses at its customer technical education center near Cincinnati. It held the first M601E line maintenance course in late March; the center also will serve as the North America training center for the H80 engine.
GE Aviation claims modifications to the high-pressure compressor mid-span shroud make the Stage 1 high-pressure compressor blade more impact resistant and reduces blade-related unscheduled engine removals by up to 25%. Compressor durability and performance further get enhanced by the addition of erosion coatings to several stages of blades and vanes that should reduce erosion-related scrap by up to 50%. Enhancements to the lower-emissions combustor liner also improve durability, reducing the frequency of repairs to this component.
A dark, volcanic ash cloud overshadowed European air travel in April, grounding aircraft based in northern Europe and turning the region into a no-fly zone for around seven days. Now, many of the affected companies and individuals are asking if the closure was really necessary—and considering whether they have a case for financial compensation.
LONDON—While lobbyists pressure aviation to clean up its act, the environment itself is undergoing changes that challenge every type of aircraft and engine. Regional and seasonal climatic differences, such as tropical heat and humidity, extreme winter cold, sand and dust over deserts, and salt air around coasts and islands create a conundrum of how to construct and maintain aircraft to cope with them that becomes chemical roulette. Testing Standards
Bombardier launched repair and overhaul services for electrical harnessing, including engine, engine exhaust, airframe, undercarriage and door electrical harnessing on 21 aircraft types with FAA/EASA approval.
Sargent Aerospace & Defense realigned its business into two main sections in April: one devoted to supplying OEMs and another to providing aftermarket products and services.
Comlux located its new operation in Indiana because the state won out over a bid from Minnesota. CEO David Edinger says the main elements of the maintenance and completion business already had been established at Indianapolis. Further, the land was for sale, and necessary skill sets were available in the local workforce. The state’s central location contributed to the decision. The proximity of many U.S.-based vendors whose products are critical to the work was another factor.
UPS amended STC to upgrade existing Mode S Transponders to ACSS Mode S transponders on McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and various Boeing 757 and 767 series aircraft, STC ST02877AT
Shannon Engine Support added John Cunningham as managing director to replace Patrick Bergin, who now is head of marketing at GE Commercial Aviation Services. Airframes
PAS Technologies named Angela Duesterhaus logistics manager, based at its Kansas City, Mo., headquarters and reporting to Global VP Dennis Burr. Duesterhaus most recently was modal manager for YRC.
Faster Exterior Clearcoat/Basecoat Sherwin-Williams Aerospace’s new clearcoat/basecoat system for aircraft exteriors promises faster processing times, easier maintenance and more color.
Federal Express to install a nose landing gear viewpoint with relocation of the viewport from aft of cargo bulkhead to forward of the cargo bulkhead on Boeing 727-200 series aircraft, STC ST03832AT
EADS Defense and Security has delivered the first of 85 Tornados flown by the Luftwaffe with comprehensive software and hardware upgrades that are designed to improve survivability against ground and airborne defenses. The upgrade, called Avionics Software System Tornado Ada, powers advanced computers, digital maps, color screens and a head-down visual display.
The European Commission published its 13th blacklist of airlines banned from operating within EU borders in April. The new list includes all carriers from the Philippines and Sudan, plus Iran Air. The EC acknowledged efforts by authorities to reform civil aviation in the Philippines and noted that PAL and Cebu Air have taken measures. Still, it insists it will—as a precaution—impose a full operating ban.
TeamSAI launched a new business focused on technical support services called TeamSAI M&E Solutions, with launch customers World Airways, North American Airlines and United Airlines. David A. Marcontell, a partner in the firm and its former CFO, is president of the subsidiary.
in an unusual way as I started to write this month’s letter to you. I rapidly realized how many parallels exist between the medical and aviation MRO professions. My phone rang, and it was a worried teacher from my son’s school: he had an accident on the playground—come quickly. I listened to her account, called the pediatrician and left work to pick him up. Enroute, I made a checklist of the things I needed to do.
Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services to install CMC Electronics’ PilotView Class 2 electronic flight bag on Boeing 757-200, 757-200CB, 757-200PF and 757-300 series, STC ST02811CH
Boeing reports the on-time, on-budget completion of Phase 3 rotorcraft upgrades for CH-47D helicopters of the army’s airmobile force. The program’s three phases spanned 10 years and work on 75 projects by Boeing and 20 Spanish companies and institutions.
SR Technics signed an integrated component solutions contract with Thomas Cook Group to provide components for 43 aircraft—18 Boeing 757s and three 767s for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, and 13 757s and nine 767s for Condor airline—through 2015.
CAD Optimization Software ReverseEngineering.com introduced a new product specifically for maintenance, repair and overhaul providers that work with computer-assisted design (CAD) software and coordinate measuring machine (CMM) hardware to simplify reverse engineering processes. Within aerospace, potential applications include alignment, tooling and mold certification, and parts inspection.
The U.S. Air Force picked Chromalloy to repair F108 engine high-pressure compressor blades for its KC-135 tanker fleet under a contract worth $4.3 million. The contract covers one base year with four one-year options and calls for the repair of 14,984 stage-two blades, 18,268 stage-three blades, 20,976 stage-four blades and 21,303 stage-five blades. The work will take place at Chromalloy's Dallas facility in support of the Oklahoma Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City.
