SR Technics inducted the 15th easyJet aircraft into its new, two-bay facility in Malta. The Airbus A319 came in for a 14-day IL check. SR Technics provides line, light and base maintenance, maintenance operations control, engineering and technical services, component repair and logistics management for easyJet's Airbus fleet under a $1.6 billion contract inked in November 2009 that extended work for the low-cost carrier through 2020 and made it launch customer for the Malta facility.
Atlantic Fasteners launched a new website, www.AFAero.com, to give aerospace customers better access to its inventory of nearly 10,000 fasteners, connectors, screws and other mil-spec hardware.
GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems offers transparencies for Airbus, Boeing and Embraer aircraft that guard against “crazing,” fine cracks that form during flight as the window material's water content changes. To guard against this cracking, GKN coats its windows with CrystalVue coatings. GKN has been the sole OEM for new cabin transparencies on the Boeing fleet since 1996, and it offers OEM programs for Embraer and Airbus long-range aircraft. GKN plans to unveil new CrystalVue transparencies for the Bombardier CSeries and the Airbus A350XWB.
Eaton Corp. will provide engine-driven hydraulic pumps as well as pump repair and overhaul services for Berlin-based airline Germania's new fleet of Airbus A319s. The value of the contracts was not disclosed. Eaton Corp. manufactures hydraulic pumps for the Airbus A319 in Bedhampton, England, where the repair and overhaul services for Germania also will take place.
Eaton Corp. will provide engine-driven hydraulic pumps as well as pump repair and overhaul services for Berlin-based airline Germania's new fleet of Airbus A319s. The value of the contracts was not disclosed. Eaton Corp. manufactures hydraulic pumps for the Airbus A319 in Bedhampton, England, where the repair and overhaul services for Germania also will take place.
Boeing announced the availability of GoldCare services for 737NG operators in late March. The tailor-made aftermarket program first rolled out for the Boeing 787, but now the OEM is offering it for its next-gen narrowbodies. TUI Travel became the launch customer for the 787 aftermarket management program last April, when it selected GoldCare coverage for its 13 787s. The OEM says it is having “advanced discussions with multiple customers” for 737NG GoldCare, but it has not announced a first client for the service.
In June 2009, the Air Transport Association published its Spec 2000 Chapter 9 data standard for the permanent identification of parts, the identification of receiving/shipping information and traceability. Contrary to popular belief, Spec 2000 Chapter 9 is strictly a “data standard”—not a technology standard. Fourteen required fields of information have been defined, including a small section providing an option to record additional information.
Boeing added Ethiopian Airlines as the 13th customer for its 777 Component Services Program, a parts-provisioning service offered by Boeing and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance designed to reduce airlines' upfront investment in inventory. For Ethiopian Airlines, the program initially will support three Boeing 777-200LR aircraft delivered since November 2010; the airline expects to receive two more aircraft of the type this year, one in late April and another sometime in the third quarter.
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions and Western Avionics partnered to provide VRCom, a system that lets customers (such as emergency medical services providers, law enforcement and fire fighters) control aircraft remotely using Voice over IP technology. The system does not require aircraft or radio modifications, it can work with an unlimited number of base stations anywhere with a network connection and power, and it allows users to archive all communications, JDA Aviation Technology Systems and Western Avionics say. Parts/Components
For life-limited consumables, more airlines and MROs are looking at small kit packaging as one approach to inventory control that saves money and reduces waste, says Randy Wilt, director of corporate marketing for Graco Supply and Integrated Services.
Navairsyscom reissued STCs to install dual universal UNS-1D flight management systems and Raytheon APX-119 IFE transponder on various DC-9 aircraft, STCs ST01513AT and ST00022MC
Sifco Applied Surface Concepts in Cleveland completed its fifth consecutive Nadcap aerospace chemical processing audit, which recognizes conformity for chemical processing.
LONDON—Aircraft docking systems can substantially boost an MRO's profitability, especially if they are tailor-made to enhance the business. The advantage such systems provide can be considerable, according to Robin Wohnsigl, president and CEO of Laurentian Aerospace Corp., who is backing his belief with hard cash. His new MRO is not only investing in an automated, laser-guided, self-positioning docking system for its state-of-the-art maintenance hangar in Plattsburg, N.Y., but it also has acquired Contec Multidocking Ltd. (CML), the company that made the system.
Solo Aviation in Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela, became a GE Aviation authorized service center for M601 and H80 turboprop engines. Solo Aviation now offers line maintenance, removals and re-installations of engines and LRUs and engine spares for the M601 and H80 engine families; GE Aviation will provide Solo Aviation with comprehensive material support and training.
United Airlines promoted Michael Lorenzini to managing director of United Technical Operations, maintenance control. He also serves as director of maintenance. Airframes
Complacency has been called “the silent killer” and “the greatest threat to the survival of organizations today.” It seeps quietly into maintenance hangars over time as technicians become more comfortable in their jobs and begin taking shortcuts, such as not using checklists or using an out-of-date tool rather than making the trek to get a serviceable replacement. And complacency spreads: other technicians witness these shortcuts and figure they can get away with them, too.
Sargent Aerospace & Defense's aftermarket services group acquired more than 1,200 Boeing 737 line-replaceable units worth approximately $4 million in mid-March. Sargent's Miami facility was expected to receive the majority of these components—which range from avionics, fuel pumps, electromechanical actuators and engine components to landing gear top assembly units—in overhauled condition, ready for outright sale and exchange and lease programs.
Air BP Lubricants launched software that helps customers measure how high-performance lubricant BPTO 2197 is performing in their engines. Air BP says the BPTO lubricant is in use on more than 9,000 installed engines and more than 30,000 engine accessories.
One of the most important safety concerns in the hangar is the risk of falls, especially when technicians traverse the top of an aircraft to perform maintenance duties.
Nordam offers cabin windows and transparencies for most types of commercial aircraft, either directly to airframe manufacturers for installation during production or to third-party MRO providers as PMA parts. The company's capabilities include Airbus A320, A330, A340 and A380 models; Boeing 737, 747, 757 and 777 aircraft; Bombardier CRJ regional jets and Dash 8 turboprop aircraft; the Comac ARJ21 and Embraer 145. Nordam's transparency division supports American Airlines' Boeing fleet and Delta Air Lines' A320s and 747s. www.nordam.com
