Empire Aerospace , a regional turboprop MRO based in northern Idaho, is adding the Saab 340 to its list of capabilities. The first three 340s from customer Saab Aircraft Leasing are being refurbished. Empire is taking steps to add Bombardier CRJ regional jet maintenance capability by yearend.
AeroMexico signed a two-year contract extension with AFI KLM E&M to maintain its fleet of Boeing 777s. The original contract was signed in 2008. Under the terms of the extension, all aircraft will undergo a C check.
Delta TechOps completed its 500th Aircell Gogo WiFi installation. Aircraft flying with their WiFi work include Airbus A319, Boeing 757-200/-300, 767-300, MD-88/-90 and 737-700/-800. Parts/Components
Mobile Cleanrooms For AOG situations or other work outside the hangar, mobile cleanrooms can provide FOD- and dust-free zones for assembly, testing and research. Kinetic Systems’ cleanroom enclosures come in several standard sizes, but for operations with specific requirements, the company’s experts can work with customers’ design teams to develop a cleanroom that fits the task.
Pratt & Whitney gained another customer for its EcoPower engine wash services in Martinair, which also joined its line maintenance supplier network for the PW4000 engine per the three-year agreement. Avionics/IFE
The country has a new government that will try to balance the national budget by making cuts in defense programs (including, some predict, at least one major program to show how serious efforts will be). Some money, however, will continue flowing for fleet maintenance, as witnessed by the $152-million, three-year contract received by Northrop Grumman for in-service support of the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (Laircm) program.
AeroMexico Airlines is installing ICG’s NxtLink communication system that offers flightdeck voice and datalink services over the Iridium satellite network on five Boeing 767-200 and -300 aircraft.
Smaller Videoscope For hard-to-access crevices on aircraft parts, Machida is offering a 3-mm flexible videoscope, the smallest in the industry, according to Machida VP Jitu Patel. The Machida VSC-3-140-N videoscope relays video images from a distal tip and focusable lens assembly back to a display via internal wiring. The image quality is similar to that of a high-end video camera. The VSC-3-140-N videoscope kit consists of a videoscope, SD card, processor and carrying case. Machida, Inc., 40 Ramland Rd. South, Orangeburg, NY 10962
Alenia Aermacchi is carrying out initial flight tests of its new helmet-mounted display (HMD), which will be retrofitted to the company’s M-346 Master jet training aircraft. The HMD, which is designed to complement the head-up display and be an interface between a student pilot and aircraft systems, displays data on the helmet’s visor no matter which direction the pilot is looking. It duplicates HMDs in use on operational combat aircraft and is meant to give students a real-world introduction system use in day and night flying.
MTU Aero Engines and GE Aviation signed a 10-year component repair development agreement. The transatlantic deal is not restricted to specific GE engine types or assemblies and stipulates that the new repair procedures will be approved as OEM repairs and marketed by GE.
SÃO CARLOS—Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines expects to decide this summer whether to keep its maintenance, repair and overhaul unit as an internal part of the airline or spin it off as a separate company, creating an opportunity for a new shareholder to acquire a portion of it.
AeroTurbine opened a new sales and material distribution center near London Heathrow. It aims to open a similar facility for rotable inventory in Asia by yearend.
Ruag Military Aviation signed a joint agreement with Northrop Grumman to provide aftermarket support, modifications and upgrades to F-5 Tiger aircraft flown by the Swiss air force and other militaries. Northrop Grumman is the OEM of the F-5, which has been in service for 40 years.
Land Forces Aviation Command has signed a contract with Sikorsky Aerospace Services to upgrade its UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters to the advanced UH-60L configuration. Work will include the T701D engine modification (the current powerplant is the T700), installation of a high-speed shaft and new battery, advanced flight controls and avionics, new wiring harnesses, instrument panel modifications and a new aircraft flight-control computer. Sniper Pods
Source One Aircraft Repair is under contract with Magnolia Investments to procure, provide bridging services and deliver aircraft to Magnolia customers. It has transitioned one Boeing 737-300 out of storage and expects to assist with additional aircraft.
The airspace closure is estimated to have cost nearly US$5 billion in global GDP, according to a recently published study by economic forecasting consultancy Oxford Economics. The study, called The Economic Impacts of Air Travel Restrictions Due to Volcanic Ash, reported that in the first week after the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, the temporary closure of large portions of European airspace resulted in $4.7 billion of lost global GDP. The roughly 5,000 further flights cancelled through May 24 added 5% to that figure.
Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil told Polish daily Rzeczpospolita that his company wants to buy LOT Polish Airlines, but the acquisition is being delayed due to LOT’s restructuring.
WiFi is moving from coffee shop hot zones to business jet cabins as the FAA continues to work with airframe OEMs and maintenance, repair and overhaul shops to establish formal guidelines for certifying the onboard WiFi equipment and enabling inflight use of passenger-carried wireless devices.
PAS Technologies appointed Philip F. Milazzo CEO to succeed Robert B. Weiner, who died on May 11. Milazzo most recently was executive VP for sales and marketing.
CAE received a C$90-million ($83.7-million) contract from Lockheed Martin to develop maintenance simulators that will train technicians for the CC-130J Super Hercules cargo plane. Canada has purchased 17 of the aircraft from Lockheed Martin. Under the agreement, CAE will develop training suites for two fuselages and a cockpit, as well as other support services and facilities prior to delivery of the aircraft. After that, the company will manage the training program for the military until mid-2016, providing upgrades, repairs, and software and hardware engineering.
