Fokker Services launched its FlyFokker program, which consists of four programs—Take Off, Take Care, Take Over, and Take Next—aimed at supporting start-up operations, in-service Fokker aircraft, aircraft phase-out and transfer. Its goal is to maintain its current number of in-service aircraft and to offer airlines an alternative to delaying maintenance or parking Fokker aircraft.
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is reporting successful trials with an innovative ozone-based aircraft water system sanitization unit, according to Cory Howe, an aircraft systems engineer in the carrier’s maintenance and engineering department. “The EPA has issued some recent rulings which prompted us to look into new technologies that can remove potential hazards and allow for aircraft potable water system quality verification on our entire 737 fleet,” he explains.
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%).
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.
Further pressure on the MRO sector came from an EU proposal submitted to the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen in December. It proposes that emissions from aviation be cut by 10% by 2020 from 2005 levels and calls for all parties to work through ICAO to enable an agreement in 2010 and approval by 2011. The EU supports the use of market-based instruments to reduce aviation emissions and says ICAO should develop such tools.
Merlin HC Mk3/3a medium-lift helicopters flown by Royal Air Force Sqdn. 78 are the latest U.K. rotorcraft to be upgraded for Afghanistan. The Merlins, built by AgustaWestland, were scheduled for deployment by the end of 2009. The £45-million ($75-million) upgrade included installation of rotor blades that are designed for the hot-high flying conditions of the country and electronic countermeasures to guard against threats.
Rolls-Royce won a $720-million Trent 700 order for 10 Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 aircraft, covered by a long-term TotalCare service support agreement. Trent 700 engines will power six A330s ordered by Virgin Atlantic and four provided by aircraft leasing company AerCap, increasing the total number of AerCap Rolls-Royce powered A330 aircraft to 23. Aircraft deliveries are slated to start in 2011.
The U.S. Air Force tapped Northrop Grumman to develop an anti-jam embedded Global Positioning Satellite and inertial navigation unit for its A-10C Thunderbolt fleet under a $3.3 million, 18-month task order. With subcontractors BAE Systems Control and Borsight Aerospace, Northrop will carry out integrated architecture and life-cycle costs analysis, install a temporary EGI modification, develop a system safety program, and provide program and engineering management support during flight-test operational assessments.
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.
DUBAI—As O&M went to press, the financial uncertainty in Dubai had not been resolved. Abu Dhabi was considering whether to bail out its smaller, northeastern neighbor after the biannual Dubai Airshow came to a close. The November aerospace and defense event subtly foreshadowed this shift in capital and influence. Aftermarket requirements spurred several new developments in the down economy, and Abu Dhabi-based firms seemed to move into prime positions to take advantage of these opportunities.
AviIT finished implementing its eMan technical publication management solution with Toronto-based FBO Skyservice Business Aviation. It also released the Web-based version of the eMan suite, called eManWeb. Contracts Military
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.
LONDON—Etihad Airways is introducing a new aircraft exterior coating program to its entire fleet, making it the first major international airline to use the treatment. The Etihad decision to treat its existing fleet and all new aircraft deliveries will introduce the coating to long-haul airline operations for the first time. Etihad’s global network will provide the platform that determines the program’s results.
ARINC Engineering Services won a Rockwell Collins contract to install new navigation systems and communications equipment on two U.S. OC-135B observation aircraft. ARINC will develop the installation plan and strategy for the OC-135B, then install Rockwell’s Block 40 global air traffic management navigational upgrade kit and additional communications systems at its aircraft integration and modification facility in Oklahoma City. Parts/Components
Voicing concerns for the survival of Europe’s airlines, the Association of European Airlines (AEA), which represents Europe’s most important network carriers, has called for a stakeholder summit on the European aviation industry.
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.
iPod Integration Equipment Rockwell Collins added an integration feature for its Digital Total Entertainment System and Enhanced Total Entertainment System for widebody aircraft that allows passengers to output video and audio from their iPods or other portable media device into the aircraft’s IFE system. Passengers then can listen or watch their own media files via in-seat displays or headphones. The new equipment includes USB charging capabilities and is designed to work with iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Classic and iPod Nano as well as other portable media devices.
Air France KLM named Bruno Delile, who until recently was senior VP international and business development for Air France Industries, president of AMG, a group subsidiary that specializes in component support. He also will serve as senior VP Operations AFI KLM E&M for the Americas. Fabrice Defrance, formerly in charge of engineering and AF operational aircraft maintenance for AFI, took over for Delile as AFI KLM E&M senior VP, Commercial and Business Development.
Airbus launched a winglet upgrade for the A320 family that promises to provide a 3.5% fuel-burn improvement over the existing wingfence design. New Zealand Airways is the launch customer for the "sharklets." Airbus is still working on a winglet retrofit option for the A320, but it will not be the sharklets. It is looking at its own design but also is talking to Aviation Partners, which may be involved in building the sharklets. The A320 will be the first to get the devices, with a planned in-service date of late 2012.
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.
