Talk to airlines, OEMs, distributors and MROs about Spec 2000, the industry's communications backbone, and you are likely to hear that the system has been in place for years. “We have Chapter 3 for exchanging purchase orders installed in our IT system and it's managed very well,” says Adrien Guillame, a project manager for logistics services with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance.
It just doesn't pay to assume anything in this business. A case-in-point is Southwest Airlines Flight 812, a Boeing 737-300 that suddenly depressurized at altitude on April 1. The initial assumption was that the 39,781-cycle, 737 was the latest craft to succumb to the popular media's venerable villain: the aging aircraft syndrome. It seems that may not be the case. While no probable cause has been established, the focus has shifted to manufacturing issues.
Inventory Locator Service customers using the company's ILSmart parts marketplace have the option of participating in the Accredited Vendor Program, which lets them see a higher number of RFQs than non-subscribers. ILS also offers the Auto Quote service for faster RFQs and the Quick Catalog tool, which allows companies to embed an inventory list on the ILS website or display it on their own page. ILS can match the design of this list to the company's existing web site as requested.
While the Internet makes finding aircraft parts easier, inventory locator websites still run into entrenched problems. Unanswered requests for quotes (RFQs), out-dated inventory lists and price fishing are issues that established and new markets will have to resolve. Although companies such as Inventory Locator Service (ILS) and PartsBase have dominated the parts market in the past decade, a few ambitious newcomers are encouraging customers to migrate to new platforms with innovative ways of doing business.
The International Bureau of Aviation (IBA) has named James Uniacke as head of asset management to grow its portfolio of managed aircraft. Uniacke joins IBA after 23 years in the aerospace industry working with companies such as Focus Aviation, BAe Systems and Short Brothers.
Inflight Warning Systems, issued STC to install inflight warning systems fan vibration motor unit on various Airbus A318 and A319 aircraft, STC SA02356LA
A life raft or oxygen tank is usually stowed away out of passengers' sight, but the flying public has a knack for finding these items and keeping them as souvenirs. While the cost of these devices is low, their removal is problematic for the airline in that the aircraft may no longer comply with FAA safety regulations, which require aircraft to have enough flotation devices on board for all passengers. If these devices or other safety equipment is missing, the airline risks a fine or could be prevented from taking off.
Southern Air is the first U.S. operator to use the Amos IT system for its MRO. Swiss Aviation Software manufactures Amos and Lufthansa Systems distributes the software. Southern Air chose to upgrade its MRO IT system with Amos as it adds Boeing 747 and Boeing 777F aircraft and increases its workforce.
Jamco America, issued and amended STCs to reconfigure interiors on Boeing Model 747-400 and 777-300 series aircraft, STCs ST02106SE-D, ST01880SE-D and ST01700SE-D
Whether you are using barcodes, direct part marking or RFID, the ability to automatically enter information about a part into an ERP system could lead to benefits from other chapters, including Chapter 14, which automates the process to file warranty claims. Many fleet operators don't take full advantage of warranties because the administrative costs associated with filing claims are high, contends Hannes Sandmeier, VP of application development for Oracle.
Lufthansa Technik Group shuffled several top executive positions: Burkhard Andrich, senior VP engine services, will become senior VP aircraft component services; he will be succeeded by Johannes Bussmann, currently senior VP-aircraft component services; Stephan Drewes, VP engine overhaul at Hamburg, will become CEO of LT Malta, replacing Aloysius Giordimaina, who will retire but continue in Malta as a member of the supervisory board; Drewes' former role will be assumed by Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel, currently CEO of LT Philippines, where he will be succeeded by Gerald Friel
AeroStar, a new FAA Part 145 repair company, has opened a facility in Mobile, Ala. near Mobile Downtown Airport. It specializes in repair and overhaul for hydraulics and pneumatic components for commercial airlines, OEMs and the military. It received its Part 145 certification from the FAA on July 13. AeroStar will repair parts for Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Airbus and regional aircraft. It is an affiliate of Star Aviation.
Aviatrax, Luxembourg-based aviation consulting company, has formed a joint venture company with Aviation Consulting called Aviatrax Technics. The JV has the following approvals: Continued Airworthiness Management Organization Subpart G and I, EASA Part M and Caymen airworthiness approvals.
AAR appointed Andrew J. Schmidt as senior VP, supply chain, AAR Allen Asset Management. His duties will involve providing strategy, business planning and operational leadership for the division. This position adds to Schmidt's 25-year aviation career, which has included leadership positions at Oliver Wyman, Macquaire Capital and Taurus Aerospace. Matt Eaton has also joined AAR as VP of sales and marketing for its MRO segment.
Jamco America, issued and amended STCs to reconfigure interiors on Boeing Model 747-400 and 777-300 series aircraft, STCs ST02106SE-D, ST01880SE-D and ST01700SE-D
Interational Air Response, issued STC to install a removable 3,000-gal.chemical tank and release door system on a U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service C-130A operated under the restricted category for the special purposes of forest and wild life conservation, STC ST02348LA
Pemco World Air Services will convert Boeing 737-400 passenger aircraft into a combi configuration for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Pemco finished the first configuration at its Dothan, Ala. facility in May and expects it to enter service this fall. The aircraft accommodates two flight crew members, 66 passengers and 4.5 pallets of freight with a range of more than 3,000 miles. The National Nuclear Security Administration will operate the aircraft.
