Emirates had a great 2010. How does it plan to invest in maintenance and engineering moving forward? Lachlan: Emirates’ fleet growth is very exciting. It’s going to be very challenging for everyone, not only engineering. What we have done to try to cope with the fleet growth is: we run our five-year rolling maintenance planning needs and resource requirements based on the fleet growth, and that allows us to plan for success in supporting the needs of the business.
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.”
Snaky Creek Enterprises dba Spectrum Aeromed amended STC to install an air ambulance conversion on Airbus A319-133 and A321-232 aircraft, STC ST02340CH
Communications Software (Airline Systems) Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore-based FD Aviation, which will market and sell Commsoft’s Oases software to aircraft operators in Asia. Commsoft in turn will support FD Aviation and its customers, working toward a joint support framework.
TransDigm Group completed the acquisition of the Telair International’s actuation group on Dec. 31, 2010, for approximately $94 million in cash. It expects calendar 2010 revenues of approximately $25 million, with significant aftermarket content. Facilities
ST Aerospace was picked by Guggenheim Aviation Partners to perform a passenger-to-passenger/cargo or combi conversion on a Boeing 757-200 aircraft for TNT Airways. The conversion is ST Aerospace’s first 757-200 combi conversion on a commercial aircraft. To complete it, ST Aerospace will obtain FAA and EASA STCs based on its existing FAA-approved STC for 757-200 passenger-to-freighter conversion work. ST Aerospace says it has redelivered 50 converted 757-200 freighters to date, with a backlog of 56 aircraft.
Russia’s aging fleet of Tupolev Tu-154B tri-jets have been grounded by Russian transport authorities following a fire on a Kolavia aircraft at Surgut on Jan. 1, that killed three people onboard. The aircraft carrying 116 passengers and eight crew was due to operate Flight 7K348 from Surgut to Moscow Domodedovo but caught fire after starting its engines. More than 40 people were treated for injuries. The 27-year-old aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire, but the cockpit-voice and flight-data recorders were recovered from the wreckage.
A little-publicized proposed policy clarification of the term “actively engaged” is raising alarms among hundreds of mechanics and others who believe that it could strip away their inspection authorization (IA) authority. Close to 800 commenters weighed in on the clarification before the FAA’s comment period for it closed. FAA released the proposed clarification in early November, saying it is designed to clear up confusion among aviation safety inspectors (ASI) as they evaluate applications for IAs.
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.
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.
The EcoFlex system from Advance Industrial Cleaning Equipment is available on two rider-scrubber models, the Advance Condor and Advance Adgressor. These models allow operators to select the right amount of pad pressure, water and detergent for each cleaning job’s needs, which allows companies to save big on detergent and chemical usage. The Adgressor can clean up to 46,200 sq. ft. in one hour and has a scrub path of 38 in. www.advance-us.com/products/commercial/autoscrubbers/advengerandadvenge…
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance and Zodiac Aerospace completed work under a contract with Royal Jordanian to upgrade inflight entertainment systems on four Airbus A340s. The Jordanian flag carrier is the world’s first airline to equip its aircraft with Zodiac’s SiT (Seat Integrated Technology) IFE system. The retrofit involved replacing 229 economy class seats and 24 business seats. Parts/Components
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.
Boeing Co. reissued STC to remove General Electric EGT cable and conduit assembly P/N9037M17P03 or 9037M17P04, and replace it with Co-Operative Industries P/N 66615 on GE CG6-50C1, -6D, -50A, -50C and -6D1 engines, STC SE91WE
Rockwell Collins amended STC to install in-seat equipment provisions for a Rockwell Collins video entertainment system on Boeing 747-400 series aircraft, STC ST01549LA
CFM International and Air China finalized a joint venture agreement established in 2007 to set up Sichuan Services Aero Engines Maintenance Co. in Chengdu.
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.
