TeamSAI M&E Solutions selected IDMR’s InForm application as its integrated electronic task card authoring system. The software’s task card module lets TeamSAI M&E Solutions control task card authoring and management. The InForm system also allows TeamSAI M&E Solutions to adapt to each customer’s existing IT infrastructure.
Like every other line item in an organization’s budget, technician training has been hit by the global recession. But while training budgets compared to last year run the gamut from flat to down about 20%, one thing seems to hold true across the board: Training is seeing increased scrutiny this year as a place where efficiencies can be gained and costs thereby reduced without a negative impact on technician preparedness.
Ramco released two tool kits to complements its new Aviation Series 5 maintenance enterprise management software. The extension development kit and implementation tool kit help Series 5 users make changes to existing screens such as adding or hiding data collection fields, editing screen callouts, adjusting menu structures, enhancing work flows or creating new transactions.
Long-range prospects for the air transport industry remain strong despite the near-term challenges that competitors face—declining volume, smaller budgets and increased costs. The corresponding reduction in demand for MRO services has forced providers to hunker down through delayed investments, labor force resizing and inventory consumption.
ARINC and DfR Solutions formed a partnership to provide reliability and diminished manufacturing sources and material shortages logistical planning support to commercial manufacturers, government agencies and the defense industry.
ASB Avionics won a contract to modify National Center for Atmospheric Research Lockheed Martin EC-130Q aircraft with its commercial-off-the-shelf avionics modernization program equipment based on the five-display Honeywell control display system for retrofit, which replaces existing analog flight director, altimetric, and engine displays; autopilot and flight director components; and existing communication, navigation and surveillance components.
Ultrasonic Testing Software Suite Olympus NDT added a new version of its TomoView ultrasonic data acquisition and analysis software suite, which combines ultrasonic testing signals with real-time imaging. TomoView 2.9 also enables users to analyze previously captured data files offline. Olympus NDT modeled the software’s new user interface on its OmniScan MX multitechnology flaw detector software, so it shares features such as nomenclature, data representation and reports with that Olympus product line.
Aircraft Technical Publishers will provide single-source, digital technical publications through its NavigatorV software platform for the Bell 47 per an agreement with Scotts-Bell 47 of Le Sueur, Minn., which holds a type certificate for the helicopter.
The international aviation community is making strides toward sharing safety-related information as a way to improve accident rates. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Commission have begun working through issues to facilitate global data-sharing.
Houston Precision Fasteners earned Lockheed Martin Aeronautics general quality systems approval. It also added series approvals supporting aeronautics and space systems platforms, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F-22, C-5M and Atlas V.
Longbow LLC, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, received a four-year, $86-million contract from AgustaWestland to support Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) systems on Apache AH Mk-1 helicopters. The award covers engineering services, integrated logistics and in-country repair at Wattisham Airfield, at the Lockheed Martin facility in Florida, and at the Northrop Grumman plant in Baltimore. The Longbow FCR, the circular component on top of the rotor, provides target detection, location, classification and prioritization.
Associated Air Center added Boeing Business Jet SFAR-88 mandatory fuel tank modification, main landing gear forward trunnion pin and gear replacement, and lower cabin altitude modification capabilities.
Ottowa’s Canadian Commercial Corp. won a competitive $20.4-million task order for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools and maintenance services from U.S. Transportation Command of Scott AFB, Ill. The company has subcontracted the services to Canadian Helicopters Ltd. of Toronto. Maintenance and other work in support of the aircraft, to be used for passenger and cargo transport, will be performed in Afghanistan.
Elbit Systems will continue to be responsible for the maintenance and support of Grob G-120-AI trainers in use by the Israel Air Force (IAF) until 2022. The announcement comes after the company reported that the defense ministry awarded it a 10-year follow-on contract that takes effect when the current agreement expires in 2012. The new contract is valued at $20 million. Elbit Systems in effect rents flying time in the trainers to the IAF under a program known as the private finance initiative.
Ameco Beijing delivered a specially painted Boeing 767 (pictured above) to Bangladesh GMG Airlines, and it will provide line maintenance and engineering services for the airline over the next six years.
L.J. Walch Co . received a 2009 Boeing Performance Excellence Award for suppliers with a minimum silver composite performance rating. Boeing recognized 486 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award this year in total, and L.J. Walch Co. is among 358 suppliers to receive the silver recognition level.
Texas Aero Engine Services Ltd (TAESL) 50:50 joint venture of Rolls-Royce and American Airlines in Fort Worth, Texas Founded in 1998 Repairs and overhauls the RB211 engines that power American Airlines' Boeing 757s and the Trent 800s that power American Airlines' Boeing 777s Inducted its 1,500th engine in 2007
Veracity Technology Solutions developed an alternate inspection method that allows Tinker Air Force Base staff to inspect the structural integrity of aft terminal support fittings on large military aircraft without having to place the aircraft in quarantine. Its in-situ 128 element linear array ultrasonic imaging system replaces previous x-ray-based technology for structural inspections, making the process more effective, quicker, easier to carry out and safer for technicians.
Israel Aerospace Industries promoted Jack Gaber to deputy VP and general manager marketing and business development for Bedek Aviation Group. His new position brings him back to Israel after 10 years in the U.S., lastly as IAI North America VP, business development for commercial programs.
SR Technics will continue maintenance services for Air India’s CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines at its Zurich engine shop per a CHF$60 million (US$55.4 million), two-year contract extension with the National Aviation Co. of India Ltd. The extension covers 61 Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. SR Technics also provides engine MRO and component support for Air India’s PW4168A-powered A330-200 aircraft. Parts/Components
Fully exploiting information technology to improve maintenance requires massive sharing of maintenance and performance data among airlines, shops and manufacturers. And that in turn requires standardizing data, the focus of ATA’s Spec 2000 project. Spec 2000 standards for maintenance data under ATA Chapter 11 are largely complete, although adjustments are still being made.
FL Technics went live with Ramco’s aviation MRO software solution. Ramco also released version 5.2 of Series 5 of the software. The Ramco update expands the centralized graphical planning board and provides centralized data entry for maintenance technicians.
