The European Commission (EC) has published a roadmap for implementing a pan-European safety management system that, in theory, leverages existing state-level initiatives and suggests ways to create broader efforts to link them together.
Jet Midwest Technik signed a multi-aircraft contact with a foreign airline to perform C checks, painting and other maintenance on MD-80 aircraft at its Kansas City maintenance base. Jet Midwest continues to add heavy maintenance and modification capabilities for MD-80 and all series of Boeing 737 aircraft.
AeroTurbine, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Lease Finance Corp., has entered into an exclusive three-year supply chain agreement with Czech Airlines Technics to support pool access for CFMI CFM56-5B line replaceable units. Czech Airlines and Holidays Czech Airlines will use the parts for their fleets, and other third party customers will have access to these components.
Taikoo Spirit AeroSystems, a composite joint venture of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. and Spirit AeroSystems, has completed overhauls on four CFMI CFM56-7 thrust reversers for a major mainland Chinese operator. The turnaround time was 16 days on the project. Avionics/IFE
Etihad Airways has put forth 125 maintenance and engineering personnel to participate in Air BP Lubricant's online training academy. This is the largest commitment to the training academy by a single airline. Etihad Airways started using Air BP Lubricant's BPTO 2197 lubricant in 2009 and it says it has reduced the number of oil degradation and coking events to zero with the program. The training tool has a suite of eight modules with different questions on topics such as specifications, servicing and storage.
Aircelle Ltd. has appointed Alan Hood as its managing director. He succeeds Andrew White, who has moved to another position within the Safran Group. Hood joined Aircelle Ltd. in May 2006 as finance director.
Lufthansa Technik increased its share of AirLiance Materials from 50.2% to 100% after purchasing its partners' shares of the Chicago-based company that provides surplus parts services. United Airlines and Air Canada previously held 49.8% of the joint venture the three companies formed in 1998. The companies did not disclose the acquisition price.
What are your priorities for 2012? Wisbrun: We want to get Skyteam to the next level of execution. In 2008 it was decided that a central function should be introduced. I took over six months ago, and my key target is now to drive the membership into more collaboration to get more synergies out of it. The focus is more on getting things done than growing the network. We want to be more focused on customer benefits.
TP Aerospace hired Jack Torielli as its regional sales manager in North and Central America. Torielli previously held multiple positions at Tracer Corp. and will spearhead the sales effort for TP Aerospace's new offices and warehouses in Las Vegas.
Turkish Technik has signed an agreement with Air Bishkek for wheels and tire services on carbon brake units for the carrier's Airbus A320 fleet. Turkish Technik also overhauled one set of Airbus A320 landing gear for the airline. Turkish Technik supported Air Bishkek with its spare units during these shop visits.
Skyteam MEMBERS: Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines DAILY FLIGHTS: 14,500 DESTINATIONS: 926 in 173 countries
Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. (Haeco) and its subsidiary Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co. (Taeco) have acquired a 49% of shares that SR Technics holds in Shanghai SR Aircraft Technics Co. The company has been renamed to Shanghai Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Services Co. (STA) and will provide line maintenance services at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. TAECO and the new company will work together to provide line maintenance services for customers. The company has three shareholders—Haeco, Taeco and Shanghai Foreign Aviation Service Corp.
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions will hold its regulatory affairs training course on Feb. 14 and 15, 2012, at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center in Ft. Worth, Texas. The course will focus on expanding FAA regulatory affairs knowledge and it will be led by former career FAA managers, principal inspectors and legal counsel.
The European Union has set aside up to €12 million in research and technology funding in the latest call for proposals under the Clean Sky research program. The allocation is part of a maximum of €36.5 million the research organization has in its eleventh round of Clean Sky funding. The largest number of proposals are being invited in the Eco-Design for Airframe funding category and Systems for Green Operations—each with 14 areas for which the industry can bid.
As Congress and the White House posture at the beginning of the annual budget season, the Federal Aviation Administration faces a stark reality: major budget cuts. The failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also called the Super Committee, to reach agreement on a $1.2 million deficit-reduction package sets in motion automatic across-the-board cuts government-wide, a process called “sequestration.”
Swiss-AS is now providing its MRO software package Amos to Brussels Airlines. The carrier's project team plans to turn off its legacy system environment within 10 months to a year after working through the transition to the new software. The Belgian airline is using a third-party service provider, CrossConsense, to oversee data transfer so that it can focus on establishing new and adjusted processes in the technical division. Brussels' fleet consists of 51 aircraft, including Avro RJ85/100s, Airbus A319s, A320s, A330s and Boeing 737s.
For years, the supply chain was looked upon as a necessary evil. Manufacturing, warehousing and transportation were part of the cost of doing business, not what drove a company forward. That is no longer the case. Every organization in every industry, including the aviation aftermarket, is challenged to do whatever it is they do better, faster and cheaper. Supply chains are no longer just overhead—the best companies view them as a competitive advantage.
Evergreen International Aviation will introduce the Boeing 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter to its fleet upon delivery in 2012. The conversion will be the 50th Boeing 747-400 aircraft to be modified to a freighter configuration by Boeing. Boeing provides the overall management of the conversion, including engineering and materials. Boeing contracts with Taikoo Aircraft Engineering in Xiamen, China for the modification work. Evergreen International Airlines operates 10 Boeing 747s, including one 747-400 freighter and nine 747-200 freighters.
Precision Conversions has successfully re-delivered the third full 15 cargo position Boeing 757-200PCF freighter to Cargo Aircraft Management, a wholly owned leasing subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group. The aircraft was previously operated by United Airlines as a passenger aircraft and powered with Pratt & Whitney engines. The aircraft will be leased by Cargo Aircraft Management to Capital Cargo International Airlines. Flightstar Aircraft Services in Jacksonville, Fla. accomplished the conversion.
