Electronic Cable Specialists amended STC to install Airsat II satcom wiring and antenna provisions on Boeing 747-200B/-200F/-400 series aircraft, STC ST02159CH
Timco Aerosystems offers a new overhead stowage compartment for life rafts on Boeing 737NG and Boeing 757 aircraft. The product was first developed for a U.S. airline that was required to install life rafts when it added new overseas routes. Jeff Luedeke, Timco’s VP sales and marketing, says that retrofitting narrowbodies with Timco’s overhead storage bins is an easy option for airlines starting to fly smaller aircraft on short overseas routes.
ERP software maker Realization received a U.S. patent for its breakthrough in managing complex projects. The breakthrough allows organizations to cut multitasking and maintain synchronization in large and complex projects while allowing resources and tasks to be prioritized in detail. This is the second patent that Realization was awarded in 2010.
New market forces are shaping the once-staid realm of cabin interiors, sparking a slew of new services and product offerings. Boeing 787 delivery delays and the yet-to-fly A350 have created a bit of a cabin chasm for carriers. “They’re facing the need to find alternatives before their [current crop] of aircraft are replaced,” says Jean-Jacques Michel, senior VP of engineering and aircraft modification for Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. “They’re in a situation where some of [their present] kitting becomes totally obsolete.”
Nordam named Meredith Siegfried president from her former position as company COO. T. Hastings Siegfried, COO of Nordam’s transparency group, became vice chairman and chairman of the company’s governance committee in addition to his other duties. Basil Barimo, VP global engineering and quality for the repair group, took a new role as general manager of Nordam’s repair division. Steve Pack continues as VP of the manufacturing group.
Here’s a wake-up call to the maintenance industry: More than half of all maintenance managers in a May 2010 Baines Simmons Americas survey* think their employees complete jobs despite the non-availability of specified tools or equipment. Another 16% said they believe their employees have signed off for uncompleted work due to limited time or resources. And one in 10 managers admitted their line supervisors would approve a mechanic’s actions if he didn’t follow procedures in order to get an aircraft out.
CFM International and Air China finalized a joint venture agreement established in 2007 to set up Sichuan Services Aero Engines Maintenance Co. in Chengdu.
Tightening environmental regulations drive developments in cleaning products for the aerospace industry. Companies such as Kimberly-Clark Professional have introduced new products that use considerably fewer resources and less energy; for example, its new Wypall cleaning cloths can reduce waste by 35%. Advance Industrial Cleaning Equipment also has taken measures to save resources with its EcoFlex scrubbers, which reduce the amount of chemicals used to clean work areas by almost half.
TeamSAI M&E Solutions expanded its technical services support for World Airways. In addition to reliability and maintenance program support, TeamSAI M&E Solutions will provide all engineering functions and responsibilities including liaison and operational support, on-wing powerplant engineering, modification programs, reliability improvement, configuration management and service bulletin evaluation.
Elbit Systems of America bought Texas-based MRO M7 Aerospace in mid-December for $85 million in cash, citing desire to expand its support capabilities.
Timco Aerosystems certified a new life raft stowage system for the Boeing 737NG that lets operators store the rafts in the ceiling above the aisle rather than in overhead bins to increase carry-on baggage space (see pg. 56). Joint Ventures/Acquisitions
As both an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket service provider, Sargent Aerospace & Defense has a unique advantage in creating high-value repairs. In late November, Sargent announced that its new, 70,000-sq.-ft. facility in Tucson, Ariz., set to open in March, will launch a new product introduction (NPI) department.
Want to take one big step toward improving safety? Make that step onto the hangar floor to talk with technicians, and make it regularly. Don’t just show your face, warns Ann Rhoades, formerly chief people officer for Southwest Airlines and author of Built on Values (Jossey-Bass, 2011). “Like a doctor who never has time to listen to the nurses or the patients, you can do more harm than good by ‘jogging’ your way through this exercise,” says Rhoades. “People need to know that you’re listening. Yes, take notes. And, yes, get back to people with answers.”
BusinessObjects. AJ Walter Aviation awarded its annual maintenance management scholarship to Yassine Herraz, maintenance planning and packaging manager at Royal Air Maroc. Herraz will attend the City University London’s MSc in aircraft maintenance management program with AJW sponsorship. IT
Lufthansa Technik Aero Alzey and Air Mauritius signed an exclusive agreement for Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 engine MRO. The engines power Air Mauritius’ ATR aircraft, which are mainly used to connect Mauritius with regional islands Rodrigues and Reunion.
MTU Maintenance Hannover extended its contract with TAM Airlines to cover 57 additional IAE V2500 engines powering Airbus A320 aircraft. The contract is expected to earn an additional $653 million by 2019.
Wypall X90 cleaning cloths from Kimberly-Clark Professional provide 75% more oil absorption and 35% more water absorption than the previous WypAll X80 wipers. These cloths can work in a variety of applications, such as prepping surfaces with solvents and cleaning metal shavings or rough surfaces. Kimberly-Clark says that the Wypall X90 wipes, which are made from hydro-entangling polyester fiber and wood fiber, generate 35% less waste than other industrial wiping solutions. www.kcprofessional.com/us/KCP-Brands/Wypall/wypall-x80.asp
NEW DELHI—As the Indian economy swings back post-recession with an 18% increase in passenger traffic over last year, the fleet of 421 aircraft will increase by 50 in 2011, paving the way for regenerated interest in MRO facilities. Despite exaggerated promises, the MRO industry in India has not been able to deliver. The country’s only third-party provider, Air Works India Engineering, has been on an expansion spree for want of competition to get the first-mover advantage.
The discovery of oil in the early 1960s transformed Abu Dhabi from a pearling center into a global business powerhouse. The largest of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates federation, Abu Dhabi possesses 94% of the nation’s oil reserves, covers 87% of the land area and accommodates 38% of the population. Today, it’s the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, contributing 10% of the world’s oil and 5% of its gas.
Air Works India Engineering expanded its line maintenance services to Trichy International Airport—its second location after Bengaluru International Airport. It plans to add a third facility at a non-metro airport in South India.
Turkish Technic signed agreements with Yakutia Airlines for one Boeing 737NG C check and one 737NG A check to be performed in Istanbul. It also grew its work for OrenAir with two Boeing 737-800 C check and painting contracts, plus a VSV bushing replacement on two CFM International CFM56-7B engines and one 737-500 landing gear set overhaul; Turkish Technic provided six C checks, several mod applications and engine/APU removal/installation services to Orenair in 2010.
