SIAEC Completes 1st A380 Check SIA Engineering Co. completed its first C check from Sept. 7-20, was scheduled to complete its second in mid-November and expects to receive the third aircraft next year. In addition to the C checks, which are scheduled every 24 months, SIAEC has completed 37 A checks, done every 1,500 hours, on the A380. SIAEC expects to perform its first D check around 2013, about six years after Singapore Airlines launched A380 service in October 2007.
GMR Hyderabad International Airport and CFM International inked an agreement on Oct. 30 to set up a training center for CFM56 engine maintenance in Hyderabad’s GMR Aerospace Park. The two companies proposed forming the training center in January as a memorandum of understanding. Intended to support customers in South Asia, the MRO training center is set to open in January 2010 at the complex near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. GHIAL will build the facility and lease it to CFM.
Capital Aviation received an FAA supplemental type certificate for its Reflections Program to upgrade Bombardier Challenger 600 series aircraft with an end-to-end interior and exterior refurbishment and the installation of Universal Avionics’ WAAS-capable flight management system, EFI-890R flat-panel displays and terrain awareness and warning system.
Solar-reflective Window Coatings PPG Aerospace’s neutral-silver and gold solar-reflective window coatings are designed to enhance an aircraft’s interior and exterior appearance while reducing cockpit and cabin temperatures and air-conditioning demands. The coatings are being developed for glass and plastic aircraft transparencies; PPG also plans to incorporate solar-reflective coatings into its electrochromatic cabin window systems.
Omni Air International selected Delta TechOps component and inventory support, including avionics and hydraulics, for its Boeing 767-300ER fleet. The companies didn’t disclose the value of the five-year agreement. Omni operates one 767, but it expects to add up to three in the near future. As the fleet grows, Delta will cover the additional 767s with an amendment to the current agreement, according to a Delta spokeswoman. The deal took effect on Aug. 18 but was announced in early November. Delta has been providing component support for Omni’s 757-200ERs fleet since 2003.
Spirit AeroSystems and Slingsby Advanced Composites both opened facilities at Scotland’s Prestwick Airport in October, in line with an initiative headed by Scottish Enterprise to increase research and development activity in the country’s small- to medium-sized enterprise sector, which employs around 22,000 people and supports the jobs of 30,000 more. Together the facilities should generate more than 70 new jobs.
EASA has established two representatives abroad—in Washington, D.C., and Beijing—to be the main contact for each country’s civil aviation authority, accident investigation board and the industry.
Spirit AeroSystems and Slingsby Advanced Composites both opened facilities at Scotland’s Prestwick Airport in October, in line with an initiative headed by Scottish Enterprise to increase research and development activity in the country’s small- to medium-sized enterprise sector, which employs around 22,000 people and supports the jobs of 30,000 more. Together the facilities should generate more than 70 new jobs.
MTU Maintenance Canada will do engine depot work on U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender tanker aircraft at its facility in Richmond, B.C. MTU is part of a team led by Northrop Grumman that is providing maintenance, engineering, field service support and condition monitoring for 204 CF6-50C2 engines. Other contractors working with MTU are Chromolloy and AAR Corp. MTU’s part of the nine-year deal is valued at $500 million. The work includes aerial refueling system support for two KDC-10s operated by the Netherlands.
A J Walter Aviation added Delta TechOps as the 20th customer to approve its spares supply services this year after passing required audits. With its CASE 3A quality audit successfully completed in October, AJW can work directly with Delta TechOps to provide aircraft spares support.
Benchtop Vibration Isolation System A lightweight benchtop vibration system designed for portability by Kinetic Systems supports sensitive equipment such as atomic force microscopes, microhardness testers, analytical balances, profilometers and audio equipment. The company's system is an ergonomic, low-profile format platform that should be lightweight and easy to carry.
Europe Aviation’s repair shop at Paris-Orly has been approved by France’s Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile to repair flight controls and nacelles (C7, C8).
PHOENIX—Using technology, aviation maintenance providers can find ways to optimize their customer service and support from the inside out. Honeywell Aerospace is one example of a firm that has used select, innovative communication and data tools to streamline its technical operations group. Its integrated components are designed not only to benefit Honeywell’s customers but also to give its engineers, field service representatives, sales staff and other employees a new resource for information on its products’ service histories.
ST Aerospace subsidiary ST Aviation Services Co. Pte Ltd. was awarded a contract by Airbus to provide heavy maintenance checks for 19 A330 aircraft leased to Singapore Airlines. The contract is part of an Airbus multi-party contract to provide support to Singapore Airlines as part of the lease arrangements for the fleet. Heavy maintenance work is expected to begin in 2015 and be conducted over 18 months.
PATS Aircraft reissued STCs to alter the fire protection systems and lower cargo compartments on Boeing 737-700, -700C and -800 series aircraft, STCs ST01184LA and ST00405LA-D
Rolls-Royce is developing a fuel-burn performance improvement package on the Trent 900 designed to keep the Airbus A380 engine competitive in its fiercely contested battle with the Engine Alliance GP7200. The package, which like the one for the Trent 700EP, will be offered as an upgrade kit for existing engines. It introduces elliptical leading-edge modifications throughout the entire compression system, including improved high- and intermediate-pressure compressor blades and vanes.
As airframe manufacturers continue to develop the next generation of commercial and business jets, engine OEMs have been tasked with incorporating performance enhancements to make their products tighter on fuel burn, more environmentally sensitive, quieter and less maintenance intensive than those in service.
I can’t capitalize on the savings provided by PMA because”… I wish I had a dollar for every time that I have heard a conversation start like this! The fact is that during 10 years of working with HEICO, I have yet to meet an airline that cannot realize significant savings by adopting a PMA (FAA approved alternative parts) strategy in some form.
Rockwell Collins reissued STC to install Rockwell Collins WXR-2100 MultiScan weather radar system on Boeing 737-600, -700, -800 and -900 series aircraft, STC ST01470LA-D
