GE Aviation launched manufacturing operations at its Singapore facility for high-technology engine parts. The first parts—blade dampers and seals for GE’s CF6 and CF34 aircraft and LM marine engines—were shipped on Jan. 22.
Ladder Carrying Handle Strap-n-Go’s ladder carrying handle distributes the weight of any ladder evenly so that users can carry it with one hand. A stainless steel support rail bears and distributes the load of a ladder, and an ergonomic rubber handle makes it more comfortable to carry. An integrated extension strap fastens both sections of the ladder together to keep it from extending accidentally.
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
Lufthansa Technik Philippines in Manila will carry out maintenance for eight AirAsia X A330s and A340s over the next three years, starting this month. Work covered under the contract includes four C checks and a heavy maintenance check during the first year, plus several cabin retrofit projects.
Jetstar Airways signed a $2 billion service agreement with International Aero Engines to accompany a separate $1.5 billion contract for IAE V2500 SelectOne engines that will power 50 Airbus A320 aircraft. The engine purchase agreement also includes options for up to 40 more aircraft.
How much support does EgyptAir M&E provide for the group's fleets? Fadel: We do all the line maintenance and heavy checks, along with component repair and engine overhaul. This includes full C check capabilities on Airbus A319s, A320s, A321s, A330s and A340s as well as Boeing 737 Classics and NGs and 777-200s. We’re expecting our first 777-300ER in two months’ time.
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.”
Honeywell finalized a 10-year maintenance agreement with Singapore Airlines to support 19 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with IntuVue three-dimensional weather radar.
Southwind Aviation acquired the assets of Salt Springs, Fla.-based Odom’s Aircraft Parts. Southwind’s repair facility in Oklahoma, also was named a Goodrich Engine Control and Electrical Power Systems authorized service center.
Digital Battery Tester PulseTech’s new battery and system tester features a built-in thermal printer that allows users to immediately share or file away data. The 777P-PT analyzer tests six-volt and 12-volt batteries and systems, 24-volt systems, and all lead acid battery types, including VRLA (AGM and gel) batteries, in both deep-cycle and standard designs. It measures 10-in.-by-5-in. and weighs 1.4 lb.
Altitude Aerospace to relocate a rechargeable flashlight on Bombardier CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700) and CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 701) aircraft, STC ST02748NY
CNS/ATM Kits for KC-135 Arinc Engineering Services is supplying to the Air Force 44 circuit breaker replacement kits that it designed and manufactured for use in a KC-135 tanker upgrade. The kits will be installed as part of the ongoing Global Air Transportation Management Block 40 upgrade, which will allow the aircraft to comply with CNS/ATM (communication navigation surveillance/air traffic management) requirements for unrestricted access to civil and international airspace.
Honeywell extended an APU maintenance contract with Vietnam Airlines for two Fokker 70s, 10 A320s, five A330s and 10 777s by three years. It also will provide APU repair and overhaul services for China Eastern’s fleet over the next 10 years. Additionally, it inked an agreement with Jeju Air to replace the carrier’s Boeing 737s’ wheels and brakes with Honeywell wheels and steel brakes, and it will provide Qantas with wheel and brake support and component parts for its Airbus A380 aircraft under an A380 material cost per aircraft landing deal.
King Aerospace Commercial brought Gary Hodak on board as director of technical services, based at Addison Airport in Texas. Hodak previously was director of avionics at Associated Air Center.
TIMCO Aerosystems to install upgraded lavatories on Boeing 767-300 series aircraft and to install an interior reconfiguration on Boeing 737-800 series aircraft, STCs ST03665AT-D and ST03816AT-D
Bedek Aviation is considering taking up to a 35% stake in Iniziativa Prima, the company led by Maurizio Tucci that is the only one to have formalized an offer to acquire AMS from the State Commisar Augusto Fantozzi. AMS is the engine maintenance company that Fantozzi has inherited from the old Alitalia. AMS is for sale and is 60% owned by the old Alitalia and 40% by Lufthansa Technik. Both stakeholders are ready to sell. Iniziativa Prima is too weak and does not have the specific industrial competence to run AMS alone.
Air force E-2C aircraft will receive technical, engineering and sustaining services from Northrop Grumman Systems as part of a $6-million firm-fixed-price award from U.S. Naval Air Systems Command. Work will be done at Pingtung air force base in Taiwan and at Northrop’s facility in Bethpage, N.Y. Completion date is January 2011.
Fleet Readiness Center Southwest became the first naval command to gain both AS9110 certification (issued Nov. 6) and AS9100 certification (issued Nov. 18).
EgyptAir EgyptAir M&E maintains the group’s 64 total aircraft in house. EgyptAir currently operates a mixed fleet of 48 aircraft: 17 Airbus A320 family aircraft, seven A330-300s, three A340-200s, 16 Boeing 737s and five 777-200ERs. EgyptAir Cargo operates two Airbus A330B4s and two A300-600s. EgyptAir Express (a domestic and regional operation) flies 12 Embraer 170s. The airline also has orders for eight Airbus A330-300s, eight Boeing 737NGs and six 777-300ERs, plus options on three A330-200s.
The Indian Air Force named Air Marshal Joseph Neri, formerly the director general of aircraft at Air Headquarters, its new air officer-in-charge maintenance on Feb. 1. The AOM is responsible for maintenance management of all weapon systems and equipment. Neri, an electronic engineer, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in July 1974.
United Technologies received a $24.7 million delivery order under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract to repair line items used on the J-52 engine in support of the EA-6B aircraft.
