Part sales plummeted in 2009, and airline part stocks declined as aircraft, especially part-hungry older models, were grounded. Most look for a recovery beginning in 2010. Orders for expendables will likely turn up with traffic. Rotable sales will begin to recover as maintenance events increase, hopefully in the second half or 2010. But full recovery in rotable sales likely awaits restocking of inventories when airlines are stronger financially. That may not come until 2011, or even 2013, in the most pessimistic scenario.
On Oct. 6, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations For Aircraft Public Water Systems to ensure the safety of potable water onboard commercial passenger aircraft. The regulations, which will take effect in October 2011, focus on inspecting all components that make up an aircraft’s onboard potable water storage and distribution system. At the same time, they mandate what, for many carriers, will amount to a stepped-up rate of coliform sampling to detect the presence of harmful organisms in the water.
Most airlines expect their parts inventories to decline further in 2010 and to make more use of vendor-owned inventories and pools. These are a few of the preliminary results of a survey Aerostrategy and IATA are conducting.
New Coating Systems, Repair Kit AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings has launched three new products—a new repair kit, a two-coat commercial aircraft exterior painting system, and a camouflage military coating system.
MARIETTA, Ga.—With a recession pinching procurement budgets around the globe and deliveries of Airbus A400M slipping, some Lockheed Martin C-130 suppliers are seeing an opportunity to offer a host of avionics upgrades to keep the tactical airlifters flying and ensure their access to preferred air routes for years to come.
Despite the economic downturn, the use of outside chemical management services is holding steady in the aerospace and aviation sectors as more companies seek to outsource not only inventory control but data reporting, disposal, purchasing and other costly tasks.
Electronic Cable Specialists amended STC to install ECS EZMount Tilt mechanical mounting assemblies on sidewalls of cockpit on Boeing 747-400, 400D and 400F series aircraft, STC ST02683CH
A J Walter Aviation garnered two new contracts to support Middle Eastern operators. The first, Jordan Aviation, contracted AJW to manage repair requirements for its mixed fleet of 13 Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The Hajj Commission, which manages the transportation of Iraqi pilgrims and Umrah Iraqis national to Saudi Arabia during the religious Islamic season, also picked AJW for maintenance services: its two Boeing 767-300s operated by Amman-based Royal Falcon will receive AJW power-by-the-hour support, including a consigned home base kit.
Pratt & Whitney and China Eastern Airlines’ Shanghai engine joint venture became the first facility in China to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It is also the 21st such building to be designated LEED outside the U.S.; only 5% of fewer than 4,000 LEED buildings worldwide attain platinum certification. The Qingpu district MRO opened in September 2009 and carries out CFM56 engine repairs. IT
American Airlines named James Ream, president and CEO of ExpressJet, senior VP of its maintenance and engineering operations effective Jan. 1. Ream succeeds Carmine Romano, who retired after 41 years with American. Romano was VP for base maintenance before he was named MRO VP in 2007.
Interior, Exterior LED Aircraft Lights Heads Up Technologies offers new LED cabin interior lighting for the Beechcraft King Air 350i and an exterior LED light system for the Cessna CJ family. Originally developed for the CJ4, the LED landing lights now are available for CJ1, CJ2 and CJ3, as well.
The Transportation Security Administration came a step closer to issuing long-awaited security requirements with the November release of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) calling for all repair stations to incorporate standard security programs, or “SSPs,” into their operations. While industry doesn’t often seek out new regulations, this case is different because repair stations are facing restrictions over the lack of security regulation.
LONDON—Ground engineers across Europe likely will come under even greater pressure to fix aircraft faults more quickly following a November ruling by the European Court of Justice. Passengers on flights delayed for more than three hours now can seek similar compensation from airlines as passengers on cancelled flights because they are in a “comparable situation” to those on cancelled flights, as each suffers a loss of time. Current EU regulations entitle passengers on cancelled flights to €250 (US$373) to €600 (US$905) in compensation.
Goodrich opened an MRO facility in Sao Carlos, Brazil, in late October, focused on repairing IAE V2500-A5 engine inlets, fan cowls and thrust reversers for customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. It says it plans to expand in the near future to service other nacelle platforms operating in the region. This year, Goodrich also plans to begin renovating a 40,000-sq.-ft. permanent facility adjacent to TAM's heavy maintenance facility in Sao Carlos.
HONG KONG—Zero defects. Sound like an impossible goal? For Cathay Pacific, it’s not. It’s the new cabin standard, and the airline hopes to have it largely in place this year.
French accident investigation bureau BEA planned in mid-December to release its second interim report on the loss of Air France Flight 447. Before releasing the latest findings, BEA officials indicated they had seen no information leading them to alter their main determination that the airplane did not break apart in flight. Investigators continue to be hamstrung by the fact that the cockpit voice and flight data recorders have not been recovered, but a new search is expected in 2010.
Magellan Services Co. to install an active ventilation system for lavatories, galleys and non-essential equipment throughout Boeing 737-700 aircraft, STC ST10952SC
Taikoo Spirit Aerosystems Composite opened in Jinjiang, Fujian Province. Shareholders invested $27.2 million in the new company, which claims to be the first in mainland China to repair and overhaul composite components for both narrowbody and widebody aircraft. Shareholders include HAECO (41.8%), Spirit AeroSystems (31.54%), Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering (10.76%), Cathay Pacific Airways (5.45%), China Airlines (5.45%) and Quanzhou Export Processing Zone Investment Management (5%).
Bombardier expanded services at its Dubai International Airport parts depot to commercial aircraft customers in the Middle East. The 2,800 sq.-ft. facility operated in conjunction with ExecuJet Aviation Group previously serviced only Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft customers, but Bombardier said in late November that it plans to equip the center to meet the parts requirements of CRJ Series, Q-Series and eventually CSeries aircraft customers in the region.
