Armstrong Aerospace to install the Honeywell Runway Awareness & Advisory System on Boeing 747-400 and 737-300 and 737-500 series, STC ST02778CH and ST02776CH
At a time of high-cost aviation fuels, no aircraft operator wants a leaking fuel tank. But as aircraft remain in service longer and cycle times mount, this will become more of a maintenance issue. “As aircraft age, leaks develop around high stress areas of the wing,” says Randy Reihart, director of quality assurance for Ontario, Calif.-based Aviation Fuel Systems Repair. “Especially with very high-cycle aircraft, it’s a constant battle to find the source of these leaks.”
Non-routine maintenance exacts a real toll. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation statistics in September 2009, U.S. airlines either delayed or cancelled 4% of their flights because of issues dealing with the carriers themselves. And about half of those—2%—pertained to maintenance.
SIA Engineering Co (SIAEC) became a risk-sharing partner in Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1000G engine. As part of the deal, Pratt & Whitney designated Eagle Services Asia, a joint venture between the two companies in Singapore, the first engine center in the program's MRO network. Pratt & Whitney started testing the engine core in late December and is scheduled to begin testing the complete engine late this summer. Military
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is to replace its aging Autolog maintenance and logistics system with a new MRO IT solution as part of a wide-ranging upgrade program called EMDAD. While EMDAD means “logistics” in Arabic, the project actually covers all RSAF assets, both fixed-wing and rotary, and extends into flight simulators, armaments and equipment such as ejection seats.
SR Technics began offering aircraft operators a 45-day turnaround time for engine maintenance, available for CFM56-5B, CFM56-5C and CFM56-7B engine types. Launch customer Hapag Lloyd Flug GmbH took delivery of its engine in January 2010. Avionics/IFE
Goodrich began upgrading Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft with its Terprom ground proximity warning system. The upgrade is expected to be incorporated into the future batch enhancement upgrade to the aircraft.
Collaboration was one of the highest-flying concepts during the Internet boom. The idea was simple: the best companies would seamlessly connect with their customers and suppliers so that information was shared and transparent. Companies that failed to collaborate were doomed. The hype was best illustrated by an ad from a then-famous supply chain software firm with the headline “Collaborate or Die.”
The European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) has urged new European Commissioner-designate for Transport Siim Kallas of Estonia to stop state aid to ailing national carriers. “In such cases the airlines in question must be permitted to simply exit the market for which they are no longer fit,” says ELFAA Secretary General John Hanlon.
Contract maintenance has spurred a one-sided debate lately in the general media, including a certain U.S. newspaper that has frequently botched airline reporting and sensationalized issues. While I first dismissed the latest article as another piece of bad journalism in this newspaper, my phone keeps ringing. “What do you think?” “Does the public believe this stuff?”
Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Co. (GAMECO) is introducing engineering and technical services at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport. Its maintenance staff there completed the first two Boeing 777F A checks in February for China Southern Airlines, which is the launch customer for GAMECO’s line maintenance services at the airport.
The defense ministry has taken delivery of the second of seven P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft whose aircraft and missions systems are being upgraded as part of a U.S. foreign military sales project (O&M, Feb. '09, p. 45). Lockheed Martin, which was contracted to do the upgrades, delivered the second aircraft on Jan. 7 to NAS Jacksonville, Fla., for transfer to Pakistan. The aircraft are being upgraded to support antiship and antisubmarine-warfare missions and improve surveillance of littoral and ocean waters.
Dublin Aerospace appointed Brian Hayden to its board of directors. Hayden previously was chairman of GECAS Ltd and EVP technical for the leasing company.
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) launched a passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the MD-80 that should receive certification from the FAA, EASA and CAAC in mid-2011. AEI also started a second Boeing 737-400 passenger-to-freighter conversion for Turkish all-cargo carrier MNG Airlines.
SINGAPORE—An experiment in hands-on training for students specializing in aeronautical mechanics at Singapore Polytechnic has become a regular opportunity for lucky upper-class members under a three-year agreement with Pratt & Whitney.
Gulfstream Aerospace appointed Dan O’Malley director of operations for new product development, based in Savannah, Ga. O’Malley has been general manager of Gulfstream’s facility in Mexicali, Mexico, since July 2001; he will continue to lead the Mexicali site until Gulfstream names his replacement.
Maritime Helicopter Support Co . landed an $84.3 million ceiling price firm-fixed-price performance based logistics contract to repair various H-60 helicopter system and component line items. If exercised, the contract’s options will bring the not-to-exceed ceiling price of the contract to $306.7 million.
The terms “fuel cell” and “bladder” tanks are used interchangeably to describe a fuel tank that is completely removable from the airframe for servicing and not integral to the aircraft. While all but gone from commercial transports, they will likely see continued application in general aviation aircraft. Removable tank maintenance is frequently overlooked until a leak is spotted. Then, the only alternative may be a total replacement, according to Erich Hartwig, manager of Hartwig Aircraft Fuel Cell Repair in Hallock, Minn.
Industry observers until recently predicted that Eastern Europe would become the “new China” of MRO services for Western European airlines and others looking to reduce maintenance costs. That glowing prognostication has dimmed somewhat for a host of reasons, but some remain convinced that Eastern Europe has significant potential for MRO.
Ameco Beijing inducted an LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 767-300 for a C Check on Jan. 11. It also will overhaul United Airlines’ Boeing 747s, as well as the carrier’s 777s, for which it already does heavy maintenance. The 777 work, under a five-year contract signed in 2005, will be extended for a further five years. Heavy maintenance on the 747s will also last for five years. And, Ameco won a contract to provide C check services for Aeroflot’s four 767-300ERs.
SR Technics will consolidate its component services in Zurich, shuttering its London-Stansted component operation in the process. UK line maintenance efforts will continue from its Heathrow logistics base. Joint Ventures/ Acquisitions
Fleet Readiness Center Southwest became the first naval command to gain both AS9110 certification (issued Nov. 6) and AS9100 certification (issued Nov. 18).
Malaysia Airlines and Pratt & Whitney have agreed to open a nacelle repair facility in Kuala Lumpur within the next two years. The 50-50 joint venture will be part of Pratt’s Global Services Partners maintenance network to support CFM56 and V2500 overhauls, as well as Pratt’s own line.
Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Co. Ltd. (GAMECO) named David Conrad director of international sales and marketing, Li Longxiang director of strategy and development, Li Xin chief inspector of its quality control department, and Bob Peng director of its marketing and sales department. Conrad comes to GAMECO from Rexnord Aerospace, where he served as VP sales, marketing and customer service. Li Longxiang most recently was manager of reliability control and a specialist in quality assurance for China Southern Airlines.
