composite parts specialist CTRM is investing in new technology to position itself for future airliner programs while securing its competitiveness in the short term. “Goodrich would like to set up CTRM as a center of excellence for the nacelle composites,” says CTRM CEO Rosdi Mahmud. “For the next-generation narrowbodies we are going to move with our strategic partners—Spirit Aerosystems and Goodrich,” he says.
Aircraft Technical Publishers will provide single-source, digital technical publications through its NavigatorV software platform for the Bell 47 per an agreement with Scotts-Bell 47 of Le Sueur, Minn., which holds a type certificate for the helicopter.
Ottowa’s Canadian Commercial Corp. won a competitive $20.4-million task order for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools and maintenance services from U.S. Transportation Command of Scott AFB, Ill. The company has subcontracted the services to Canadian Helicopters Ltd. of Toronto. Maintenance and other work in support of the aircraft, to be used for passenger and cargo transport, will be performed in Afghanistan.
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) modified its Boeing 737-400 special freighter to accommodate 10 full-height AAA cargo containers plus one AEP/AEH container. MNG Airlines is launch customer for what will become the new standard for 737-400SF conversions, AEI says. The modification touch labor is taking place at AEI conversion center Commercial Jet at Miami International Airport. AEI plans to redeliver the first “11-position” MNG 737-400SF this summer.
Fokker Services ’ remarketing support center won an exclusive contract to remarket two Fokker 70 aircraft configured for corporate shuttle service and support them through at least 2020 under its Fly Fokker total support program.
ST Aerospace President Tay Kok Khiang is taking a different approach to training than many other MRO leaders this year. Rather than looking for ways to cut costs, he is investing more in upgrading his technicians’ skills. “Despite the global economic slow-down, there has been no resulting review of our training budget,” he says. On the contrary, “the slow-down has enabled us to train more of our employees, preparing them for the eventual upturn.”
Covington Aircraft Engines in Okmulgee, Okla., became an OEM-authorized distributor and designated overhaul facility for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines series.
Ultrasonic Testing Software Suite Olympus NDT added a new version of its TomoView ultrasonic data acquisition and analysis software suite, which combines ultrasonic testing signals with real-time imaging. TomoView 2.9 also enables users to analyze previously captured data files offline. Olympus NDT modeled the software’s new user interface on its OmniScan MX multitechnology flaw detector software, so it shares features such as nomenclature, data representation and reports with that Olympus product line.
Safer, better, faster, cheaper is the rule not only on the shop floor but also in training mechanics to work there. That will require the exploitation of new simulation tools for training. These tools are steadily improving and will become even more flexible and powerful in the future.
SR Technics realigned its executive sales structure for the Americas. Wayne Mihailov, who most recently was VP business development for Aero Inventory, is taking over for Steve Rugg as VP sales Americas. Prior to joining Aero Inventory in 2008, Mihailov was VP sales and marketing for GE Aviation Financial Services. Rugg now is area sales director Americas.
Longbow LLC, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, received a four-year, $86-million contract from AgustaWestland to support Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) systems on Apache AH Mk-1 helicopters. The award covers engineering services, integrated logistics and in-country repair at Wattisham Airfield, at the Lockheed Martin facility in Florida, and at the Northrop Grumman plant in Baltimore. The Longbow FCR, the circular component on top of the rotor, provides target detection, location, classification and prioritization.
ASB Avionics won a contract to modify National Center for Atmospheric Research Lockheed Martin EC-130Q aircraft with its commercial-off-the-shelf avionics modernization program equipment based on the five-display Honeywell control display system for retrofit, which replaces existing analog flight director, altimetric, and engine displays; autopilot and flight director components; and existing communication, navigation and surveillance components.
While Europe’s airlines struggle, the International Air Transport Association is forecasting a stronger-than-expected recovery in demand, particularly in Asia and Latin America, for a full-year loss of $2.8 billion, rather than the $5.6 billion it predicted in December. IATA also downsized estimated losses for member airlines in 2009 to $9.4 billion from $11 billion.
Singapore Technologies Aerospace will maintain 143 CFM56-7B engines for India’s Jet Airways and subsidiary Jetlite under a maintenance-by-the-hour contract valued at S$1 billion ($750 million). The work includes off-wing, on-wing and on-site support plus fleet technical and asset management support. The engines power 67 Boeing 737s operated by Jet Airways and its subsidiary. Avionics/IFE
LONDON—Intense operational pressures on European regional carriers are reshaping the market, pushing many to seek low-priced MRO services and making them hesistant to commit early. Despite some early signs of recovery, doing business as an airline today is painful. Compare this scenario to the state of affairs for Europe’s low-cost carriers (LCCs), who as a whole continue to operate in the black. Some even forge ahead with plans to expand their in-house maintenance capabilities, which flies counter to many LCC business models.
AAR Corp . acquired Aviation Worldwide Services and its subsidiaries Presidential Airways and STI Aviation from Xe Services, the former Blackwater. It expected the $200-million purchase to close in April.
Texas Aero Engine Services Ltd (TAESL) 50:50 joint venture of Rolls-Royce and American Airlines in Fort Worth, Texas Founded in 1998 Repairs and overhauls the RB211 engines that power American Airlines' Boeing 757s and the Trent 800s that power American Airlines' Boeing 777s Inducted its 1,500th engine in 2007
Data Link Solutions won a $20-million contract from the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command to provide Link-16 terminals to U.S. and coalition forces. The award includes radios for U.S. platforms—such the MH-60R, MH-60S and F/A-18—and foreign military sales customers, including Finland, Saudi Arabia and Japan. This award also includes additional equipment for U.S. applications and customers, including the U.S. Army, Battlefield Airborne Communication Node and Joint Forces Command.
NAVAIR awarded GE Aviation a $7.34-million modification to a 2009 contract to develop and adopt technologies to reduce fuel consumption by the U.S. Navy's F414-GE-400-powered F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet. The research is being done as a Near Term Energy Efficiency Technology Demonstration and Research Project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
UPS amended STC to upgrade existing Mode S transponders to ACSS Mode S transponders on McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and various Boeing 757 and 767 series, STC ST02877AT
Low Cost Simulator ARINC Engineering Services launched a low-cost, personal computer-based aircraft maintenance training system called MxSIM, which it claims meets both military and commercial training requirements with “a wider choice of features and capabilities than any similar maintenance training system.”
Information technology plays an increasingly important role in managing aircraft, engines and components. Operators aim to make smarter and more economic decisions about maintaining and holding tens of billions of dollars in extremely complex aviation assets. Because such huge sums of money are involved, the best software can offer major gains. To that end, some IT providers are beefing up their offerings. For example, AerData, which provides CMS Lease Management software, acquired EFPAC, a leading engine management software, in December 2009.
