Lockheed Martin named Charles Artymovich VP and general manager of its Kelly Aviation Center for engine MRO in San Antonio. Artymovich has been with Kelly since 1984, most recently as director of aeronautics operations.
—A September ground breaking for a CFM56-7B plant here pushes StandardAero into commercial jet MRO for the first time and extends the company’s commitment to a cellular manufacturing structure . With $1.4 billion in revenues last year, StandardAero, a subsidiary of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, provides a range of services for civil and military helicopter, turboprop, regional and business jet aircraft. It does everything from high-end interior completions to component services for engines as large as the General Electric GE90 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000.
Pressure to cut costs is sending airframes outside airline shops and often far from home markets. Labor rates, which represent up to 70% of heavy-check costs, simply differ too much among regions to ignore. Cost-saving pressures intensified in 2009, but there are new twists on the cost side. Labor rates have converged among some regions. Long-term, some low-cost regions may become more expensive. New MRO facilities could open in countries or regions not now actively considered. Exchange rates could shift. And the U.S.
We all like good news, especially when we don’t anticipate it. Life’s pleasant, unexpected surprises can really make your day. Heck, most people even like a surprise birthday party every once in a while, right? Aviation maintenance surprises, however, aren’t always appreciated. MRO thrives on predictability. We like scheduled maintenance better than unscheduled maintenance, and we like accurate predictions for a component’s life.
Bombardier Customer Services began offering new repair solutions for operational damage to V2500-A5 nacelle panels. Its Belfast and Dallas MRO facilities offer the new repair capability that restores panels to their original specification while maintaining their acoustic properties.
In the fierce competition for market share among aircraft parts fabricators, PMA penetration is spreading, occupying global niches once the sole province of original equipment manufacturers. The PMA’s air transport market is valued at $381 million and should almost double to $680 million by 2013, according to an AeroStrategy study released in March. A number of factors are spurring this growth:
Engine OEMs and the airframe industry are once again giving open rotor architecture a serious look. Essentially an unducted fan, the technology promises the ultimate in high bypass with huge savings in fuel and emissions. At CFM International, LEAP is, in fact, focusing some of its resources on open rotor engine development, according to LEAP Program Director Ron Klapproth.
Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance will continue heavy maintenance for Virgin Atlantic Airways’ Boeing 747-400 aircraft through 2011. The U.K. carrier decided to extend its original contract with AFI KLM E&M, signed in July 2008 and due to expire at the end of 2010, for another year. Heavy maintenance takes place at AFI KLM E&M’s Schipol Airport facilities in the Netherlands. Nine C and D checks are scheduled for 2011.
ATC Lasham is refurbishing two hangars, covering 40,000 sq. ft., at Southend Airport in Essex, England, to grow its heavy maintenance capacity. The addition expands ATC Lasham’s hangar capacity by 50%, to accommodate six aircraft.
William Chauvette , well known in the aviation aftermarket industry, died on Sept. 5 in Quechee, Vt., at 59. He held positions at General Dynamics, PerkinElmer Sealol, Westfield Gage, Bearing Inspection, and Turbine Controls, and most recently had returned to work at Westfield Gage. Airframes
Brim Aviation to install Brim Aviation tundra pads, a cargo rack and a Tech Tools 369/500 bubble window on a MD Helicopter 600N helicopter, Several STCs
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
OGMA offers commercial, military and business aviation MRO services. What is the split between them, and are you happy with the mix? LOBATO: OGMA was born within the military and that represents roughly 50% of the maintenance side, because we do not split the aerostructure and aviation service businesses. We have roughly 30% engines maintenance, and then you’re basically splitting the last 20% between civil aviation and components maintenance. Business aviation is about half of civil aviation.
LONDON—Freedom of movement between the 36 member countries of the European Economic Community is enshrined in European law, allowing nationals of those member states to live and work in any community country. Yet, in practice, it doesn’t always work that way. A few member states effectively block foreign applicants for jobs by insisting their qualifications completely match their own national criteria—regardless of experience.
