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.
What is bmi's fleet age and utilization? Mahoney: Our narrowbody Airbuses are six years old, the Boeing 737s are around 13 years old, and the A330s are around eight years old.
Magellan Services Co. to install an active ventilation system for lavatories, galleys and non-essential equipment throughout Boeing 737-700 aircraft, STC ST10952SC
Sabca, a Brussels-based company specializing in aviation engineering, signed an exclusive F-16 spare parts supply contract with Derco Aerospace of the U.S. Derco, a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aerospace Services, will supply parts manufactured by Argo-Tech, Hamilton Sundstrand and Honeywell for just-in-time component repair of F-16s operated by European air forces.
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.
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.
Russian Helicopters, JSC has announced that it will set up a regional MRO facility in Sharjah, UAE, for Russian-made helicopters, including the Mi-class, a military version that is in use by many Middle Eastern, African and Eastern European forces. International RotorCraft Services, a company formed in partnership with Airfreight Aviation Ltd. of the UAE, will run the MRO facility. Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, is the umbrella company for all Russian helicopter manufacturers.
Russian Helicopters, JSC, and Uzrosavia of Uzbekistan signed a five-year agreement in December to work together to service and maintain Russian rotorcraft in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.
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
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.
ST Aerospace renamed six subsidiaries to brand them more firmly to the parent company: ST Aerospace Services Co. Ptd. Ltd. (formerly ST Aviation Services Co. Pte. Ltd.), ST Aerospace Training Academy (ST Aviation Training Academy), ST Aerospace Guangzhou Aero-Technologies & Engineering (Guangzhou Aerospace Technologies & Engineering), ST Aerospace Mobile (ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering), ST Aerospace San Antonio (San Antonio Aerospace) and ST Aerospace Panama (Panama Aerospace Engineering).
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%).
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.
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.
Automatic Shut-off Pressure Washers Daimer Industries’ new line of mobile, heated, electric high-pressure washers fits situations where operators work far away from the equipment and would waste time turning off the washers every break. The Super Max 12200AST pressure washers feature automatic shut-off technology that turns off the device’s pump and motor after 30 seconds when the cleaning gun is not in use, then restarts them when an operator pulls the trigger, preventing unnecessary wear on critical components.
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.
Line Operations Safety Audit, or LOSA, has long been a fixture in cockpits. Now, a committee is working to move that same program onto the ramp and into maintenance facilities.
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.
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.
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.
Wencor acquired assets of Boone Air Parts in November. It planned to use the assets to begin a new company with the same name, but operated as a Utah Corporation and Wencor subsidiary. Facilities
Defect Free will have a trickle-down effect on Cathay’s broader maintenance program, reducing the amount of work required and time spent in heavy checks. It makes sense: if suppliers are keeping seats and ovens and other components in top condition on a day-to-day basis, these items won’t need to be serviced during base checks.
