Emerging Technologies

GE, Siemens and Lufthansa Technik are some of the companies focusing on new technique for boosting reliability.

LHT says the fully-automated procedure is able to provide more consistent, reliable results than the human eye.

Focus of MRO providers expected to switch in the next decade when the majority of the global fleet should be equipped with connectivity.

Software specialist claims time-tracking and contract modules among the most effective on the market and says it is working on a paperless version.

Bell debuted its new Nexus flying taxi concept at the 2019 Consumer Electronic Show this week. Bell's VP of Innovation Scott Drennan and Kyle Heironimus, propulsion lead for the Nexus, share details about the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle's systems, what its maintenance model will look like and when the Nexus is set to hit the skies.

Electric propulsion for commercial aircraft, once viable, could force massive changes on MRO providers.

For electric power to replace current engines on commercial aircraft, major improvements in battery technology will be needed.

Brazing technology plays a crucial role in manufacturing tough aerospace components resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, and in development of new engines for hypersonic flight.

Software specialist looks for smarter ways for MROs to spend their training dollars.

Lab is working on additive metal production which is still in a mostly experimental stage for aircraft engines.

Norm Baker joined Airbus senior vice president of digital solutions about a year ago from GE Aviation Czech where he was president, and before that, president and CEO of Taleris, a joint venture between GE and Accenture. Baker, an A&P, commercial pilot and Six Sigma Black Belt, talks about how he quickly led Airbus’ digital solutions from developing products to developing capabilities—and its impact.

With being compliant critical for airlines, one Swedish company is exploring an easier and better way to update manuals.

The Germany-based 3D specialist is introducing more productive machines for printing metal and polymer parts.

Canadian carrier First Air sheds paper for deferred maintenance logbook, will seek paperless docs in future.

RUAG Australia is collaborating on a two-year project to investigate laser metal deposition’s uses for component repair and manufacturing.

WZL2 signs up for Commsoft's OASES software to support its fledgling commercial operations.

Invert Robotics’ mobile climbing robots are adding new improvements and functionality thanks to recent customer feedback.

Liberty Hall announced its acquisition of proprietary flight operations software specialist Aircraft Performance Group on Dec. 3.

TARA platform for electronic record keeping of full lifecycle data on aircraft and parts assets will use digital signatures, offer 3D models.

Uptake and Rolls-Royce are about half way through a two-month proof of concept to ascertain whether a different data-science approach will improve Trent engines’ reliability—including detecting problems before they occur.

Private equity firm Liberty Hall Capital Partners said Dec. 3 it bought Aircraft Performance Group (APG), which offers proprietary flight operations software targeted at the aerospace aftermarket.

Etihad Airway Engineering’s long-term vision is to use additive manufacturing for most cabin interior parts.

United’s growing digital MRO Initiative will move to base maintenance teams next.

Aviation Week caught up with the CEOs of Donecle and MRO Drone at MRO Europe to find out more about where the use of drones for maintenance is headed and what is still standing in the way of its full potential.

Industry experts from Airbus, Boeing, Lilium and Pratt & Whitney share their views on the future of MRO, data ownership and what MRO issues keep them up at night.