Airbus expands Inventory Management Service with MRO Aeroman
Transcription
Airbus expands Inventory Management Service with MRO Aeroman
Indian group opens MRO facility at RAK airport 3 Pg 6 Pg 13 Pg JETS Biggin Hill MRO gains ASC extension from Dassault HAL to manufacture Russian military helicopters May 15 th , 2016 Airbus expands Inventory Management Service with MRO Aeroman A irbus has extended the Management Service Inventory Airbus (AMI acronym), a customized solution Satair Group, a subsidiary of Airbus, designed for optimal inventory management that ensures availability and automatic replacement of worn parts and not repairable aircraft on the premises. The expansion was carried out at the premises of Aeroman , MRO provider in El Salvador , which continue to benefit from the advantages of this program. In its modern facilities located in the El Salvador International Airport, Aeroman provides a wide range of maintenance services to the operators of the A320 Family United States , Mexico , Central America and South America After two years of experience working with the AMI service, Aeroman has decided to continue cooperating with Satair Group to expand the scope of this service. “The AMI service has helped us optimize the supply chain of the airline industry by reducing administrative www.mrobusinesstoday.com costs and expediting orders for our customers,” said Edison Viteri, Director of Supply Chain Aeroman. Viteri added that “with this tool have managed to reduce the ad hoc orders, while we have improved service for our customers through optimal inventory planning.” “The high availability of parts AMI provides service reduces both the time the aircraft on the ground as the inventory level, a key factor to offer a maintenance service first class”, also said Viteri. Paul Lochab, CCO of Satair Group, said, meanwhile, that “logistics and inventory management are key aspects in the aviation industry requiring maximum attention, and AMI management leads to a higher level.” Meanwhile, the European aerospace group Airbus and German energy and engineering group Siemens want to create the first electric aircraft with hybrid propulsion systems , capacity for 100 passengers and be ready for 2030. MAEL wins Spanish airline summer contracts M onarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL) has confirmed new line maintenance contracts with three Spanish carriers for summer 2016. The UK-based MRO will carry out work on A320 aircraft for Iberia at its Birmingham facility as well as servicing the same aircraft type for low-cost carrier Vueling at its Birmingham, Luton and Leeds-Bradford airport sites. In addition, MAEL will also conduct call out support services on Primera Air’s fleet of 737 aircraft at Malaga Airport. Dave Norton, head of sales at MAEL, said the contracts are a continuation of the firm building up its European MRO operations. May 15, 2016 1 Air India MRO aims to double third-party revenue A ir India’s aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul unit (MRO) aims to nearly double its third-party business revenue to Rs 130 crore in FY2017. It also plans to hire 150 engineers and 450 technicians to cater to growth and replace 15-20 engineers retiring each month. Air India’s engineering services was hived off as a separate subsidiary in 2013 as part of its turnaround plan and last January it received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Last year, the MRO earned about Rs 65-70 crore from third party business and it largely caters to Air India’s engineering requirement. The MRO unit has been unable to secure substantial third-party business till now and has grappled with labour issues and an unsuccessful litigation against the hive off of the unit. But the management is now making renewed efforts to attract business from private airlines and secure certification from Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency for its facilities in Nagpur and Thiruvananthapuram. Air India Engineering Services is currently undertaking a ‘C’ check (heavy maintenance check carried after about 2 years) on Jet Airways Boeing 777 aircraft. This is the first ‘C’ check being carried out by Air India for a private airline though it carries out routine maintenance and minor repair works for several years now. At present, Indian carriers outsource about 90% of their repair and maintenance work to companies abroad. This is partly because of the limited capabilities of domestic service providers and partly because of the high tax structure in India. In order for a MRO to be successful, it needs to be cost competitive and work on quick turnaround times. Air India management hopes the engineering Hercules MRO masters L ocated across the runway from the SOFEX site and exhibiting in the national pavilion (Hall 5, Stand B536), the Jordan Aeronautical-Systems Company (JAC) was established as a joint venture between the Royal Jordanian Air Force and Marshall of Cambridge Ltd. Drawing on the UK company’s expertise with the Hercules, Marshall Jordan was initially established to provide maintenance for the RJAF’s C-130 fl eet, as well as to compete for foreign business. Today JAC is wholly owned by the RJAF, and is one of the region’s leading maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations, with 2 May 15, 2016 arm will be able to achieve that. “We carry out landing gear change and engine replacement work for GoAir. We are also looking for long-term contracts with other private airlines,” said HR Jagannath, CEO of Air India Engineering Services. “GoAir has full capability and approval from DGCA for carrying out all land maintenance activities. However, occasionally we do take assistance from other service providers like Air India for undertaking work like landing gear change etc,” a GoAir spokesperson said. Worldwide Aircraft Services teams up with Saab for 340B modifications W FAA and EASA Pt 145 approval, as well as approvals from many national aviation authorities. The C-130 remains an important part of JAC’s activities, but from 2006 the company added Boeing 737 competency, and in 2012 became an approved service centre for the AW139 helicopter. It also provides maintenance services for C-130 and Boeing 737 powerplants. orldwide Aircraft Services has agreed a partnership with OEM Saab to obtain FAA approval for the installation of 340A cargo modification service bulletins into 340B aircraft. Sweden-based Saab said that by installing the modifications, the aircraft will benefit operators with greater flexibility, range and capacity. As part of the agreement, Worldwide will also become a recognised 340/2000 AMO and will continue to provide MRO services for its regional Jet and turboprop aircraft. “The Saab 340 aircraft has served operators very well over the years in both passenger and cargo markets; the current market trends and aircraft values make this an ideal time to bring the SAAB 340B aircraft to the freighter markets,” said Jim McClean, president of Worldwide Aircraft Services. www.mrobusinesstoday.com Indian group opens MRO facility at RAK airport CTS buys 12 mature CF6 engines M S un MRO and Technical Services (Sun MROTECH), a unit of Deccan Charters, India, celebrated the leasing of a hangar facility for MRO operations at Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) International Airport. The partnership, which is in accord with the long term and broader vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the Supreme Council, will create a robust and enduring aviation ecosystem for aviation growth in the region. The facility is being set up to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services to a number of airlines and business jet owners and operators. Initially the facility will provide line and base maintenance, component overhaul and structural repair works for single aisle narrow body aircraft (Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 families) and certain types of business jets. The facility will become operational from August 2016 subject to regulatory approvals. The MRO operation will have shops for component overhaul, wheels & brakes, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, oxygen and emergency systems, structural repair and painting as well as others. It will not only cater to the UAE economy, and Ras Al Khaimah in particular, but also to the greater Gulf, South-East Asian and African nations. Capt. G R Gopinath, chairman of Deccan, said: “I am encouraged by the progressive and visionary policies of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, and that of Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the www.mrobusinesstoday.com Department of Civil Aviation and RAK International Airport. “If a country has to achieve equitable all round growth and employment, aviation has to be key to that growth and integral to that vision. Sun MROTECH will create the foundations for the long term growth and stability of Ras Al Khaimah aviation. It will leverage and use the unique strategic advantage of RAK airport in the region, to not only tap into the UAE and Middle East markets but to attract aircraft from neighbouring regions such as Asia and Africa to generate foreign exchange earnings and boost the local RAK economy, by building lasting world class MRO and Technical services with the proactive support and encouragement of the RAK airport authorities,” he added. Sheikh Salem said: “We are delighted to welcome Sun MROTECH and Capt. Gopinath, the aviation pioneer who was often credited as being the father of low cost airlines in India, to RAK International Airport and believe this partnership signifies the strategic importance of RAK International Airport and reflects the opportunities available to aviation companies in the region. We believe that this new partnership will bring a considerable boost to the aviation industry and ecosystem in Ras Al Khaimah.” Mohammed Qazi, the CEO of RAK Airport Authority, added, “RAK International Airport looks forward to the new partnership with Sun MROTECH and will extend all support in its efforts to attract aviation business to the airport and the region.” ature engine specialist CTS Engines has bought 12 CF6-80 engines from an unnamed U.S. carrier. The acquired engines include nine CF6-80A and three CF6-80C2A5 models. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Brian Neff, CEO of the Fort Lauderdale-based firm, said the engines will be used as teardowns and short-term spares in support of CTS customer shop visits. CTS’ capabilities include engine overhauls for the CF6-50, CF6-80A, CF6-80C, and PW2000 engine models carried out at its 6,500m2 MRO facility in Florida.” AAR to service Volotea A319 fleet A AR has entered into a powerby-the-hour (PBH) component inventory management and repair programme with Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea’s A319 fleet. Under the terms of the contract, the aftermarket specialist will manage the supply chain through its global warehouse network with a primary parts pool based in Brussels. The agreement also includes AAR managing the complete component repair cycle with Barcelona-based Volotea also having access to its entire inventory through exchanges and procurement. Over time, the PBH programme will grow to a fleet of more than 50 A319 aircraft. Deepak Sharma, president, AAR International Supply Chain, said: “Just as Volotea caters to individual passengers’ unique needs, AAR is nimble enough to cater to Volotea’s unique component needs at a price that allows them to remain competitive.” May 15, 2016 3 UTC Aerospace Systems expands with new manufacturing site U TC Aerospace Systems announced that it is expanding its existing footprint in Foley, Alabama by adding a new manufacturing and nacelle assembly facility that is estimated to bring 260 new jobs to Baldwin County. UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corporation, is one of Alabama’s largest aerospace manufacturers as measured by number of employees and makes products such as the Airbus A380 landing gear. The new 80,000 square-foot building will house the assembly of nacelle components and propulsion system integration. The new facility will support the manufacture of the Airbus A320 for both the current engine option and eventually, when implemented, the NEO. Integrated A320 family propulsion systems will be delivered from the new facility to the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile, about an hour away. In addition, the site will provide support for other airplane platforms equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G Geared Turbofan engine including the Bombardier CSeries, the Embraer E2 and Mitsubishi Regional Jet. The Foley facility is a leader in UTC Aerospace Systems’ drive to operate the most efficient factories in the industry through its relentless application of continuous improvement principles. UTC Aerospace Systems’ Aerostructures business currently operates two co-located facilities in Foley: a 220,000-square foot original equipment plant employing approximately 600 people and an adjacent 210,000-square foot maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility employing approximately 200 people. “This expansion is a great opportunity to expand our ability to apply our innovative nacelle technology to one of the world’s most popular airplanes,” said Marc Duvall, president of UTC Aerospace Systems’ Aerostructures business. “We chose Foley to expand because of its proven track record of performance, our desire to be near a key customer, and the tremendous cooperation we’ve had from the state, county and the city. We have more experience than anyone in integrating the nacelle system to the engine and the airplane,” said Duvall. Construction of the new facility will take about a year, with opening slated for the second quarter of 2017. UTC said employment will ramp up as customer requirements grow. Bombardier Signs SWISS as Launch Customer A fter two years of successfully using the Inventory Management Service Airbus (AMI acronym), Aeroman, MRO provider in El Salvador, will continue to benefit from the advantages of this program. AMI is a customized solution Satair Group, a subsidiary of Airbus, designed for optimal inventory management that ensures availability and automatic replacement of worn and not repairable aircraft in facilities Aeroman parts, while maintaining a level of inventory according to the customer needs. In its modern facilities located in the El Salvador International Airport, Aeroman provides a wide range of maintenance services to the operators of the A320 Family United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. After two years of experience working with the AMI service, Aeroman has decided to continue cooperating with 4 May 15, 2016 Satair Group to expand the scope of this service. “The AMI service has helped us optimize the supply chain of the airline industry by reducing administrative costs and expediting orders for our customers,” said Edison Viteri, Director of Supply Chain Aeroman. He added: “With this tool we have managed to reduce ad hoc requests while we have improved service for our customers through optimal inventory planning. High availability of parts AMI provides service reduces both the time the aircraft on the ground as the inventory level, a key factor to offer a maintenance service first class “. Paul Lochab, CCO of Satair Group said: “Satair Group offers the best tailored solutions designed for the requirements of the supply chain, and AMI is an excellent example. Logistics and inventory management are key aspects in the aviation industry requiring maximum attention, and AMI management leads to a higher level. It is a pleasure to celebrate these first two years of service with Aeroman AMI, and we hope that our relationship will continue for many more years. “ With 2,400 employees in El Salvador, Central America, and more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, is leading Aeroman maintenance, avionics and cabin aircraft modernization. Recently, Aeroman has built its fifth hangar intended for wide-body aircraft. . www.mrobusinesstoday.com Vector Aerospace Opens Engine Test Cell in Canada V ector Aerospace Corporation, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is delighted to announce the grand opening of a new engine test cell at its Summerside facility in Prince Edward Island, Canada. This new multimillion dollar test cell, which was the result of a financing partnership with provincial and federal governments, is capable of supporting turboprop engines producing up to 5,000 shaft horsepower. It joins three existing test stands at Summerside, two dedicated to turboprops and one to turbofans. The new cell will expand Vector’s local test capacity on turboprop models supported from the Summerside overhaul facility, such as the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A and PW100 series, thus minimizing turn-around times (TATs) for its customers globally and supporting further market share growth. “The Government of Canada supports the continued growth and innovation of the aerospace industry across Canada. Companies like Vector Aerospace compete on a global scale, and their continued success means a stronger economy and good jobs here at home,” said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “This is a great day for Vector and for the economy of Prince Edward Island. I’m proud that both ACOA and the Summerside Regional Development Corporation played roles in the creation of this facility, helping Vector to be the best at what they do, right here in Slemon Park,” said Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont. “Since starting in 1991 as an anchor tenant at Slemon Park with a dozen employees, Vector Aerospace has grown into the province’s second-largest private employer and the driving force behind our aerospace sector,” said the TEXL gains GE TRUEngine authorization T aikoo Engine Services Xiamen (TEXL) has become the GE90 overhaul provider to win GE Aviation’s TRUEngine authorisation. According to TEXL’s parent group HAECO “the TRUEngine MRO designation represents the highest level of quality and technical excellence.” Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of GE Aviation, services, said: “TEXL plays an important role in helping satisfy increasing demand for GE90 overhauls in one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.” Since being established in July 2008 as a joint venture, TEXL has carried out more than 300 GE90 engine repairs. Five parties now hold a share in TEXL after GE purchased a 9.9 per cent stake in the firm in November 2014 www.mrobusinesstoday.com Honourable Heath MacDonald, Prince Edward Island Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. “This expansion will further enhance Vector’s sterling reputation around the world and help further the province’s commitment to developing our exports, growing our economy, and creating sustained prosperity for Islanders.” “This new test cell will dovetail well with our existing test stands at our world-class Summerside facility,” said Jeff Poirier, President of Vector’s Engine Services - Atlantic division. “The addition of this computer-controlled test cell demonstrates our dedication to our customers around the world. This investment also reinforces our long-term commitment to the Summerside facility and our local workforce, as a major employer here on Prince Edward Island.” The Summerside facility is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It has been providing world-class engine MRO services since 1991, and today employs over 450 skilled workers at the location. Vector’s presence on PEI generates valuable revenue for the local economy through its workforce and supply chain, and the company also works closely with local higher education establishments, including Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island. FAA certifies PW1400G-JM for MC-21 T he FAA has certified the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1400G-JM engine to power Irkut’s MC-21 aircraft scheduled for a 2017 delivery. The certification is the third Geared Turbofan engine variant to get certification from the US regulator. To date, Pratt said that the PurePower engine family has completed more than 58,000 cycles and 35,000 hours of testing. “The engine increases the competitiveness of our aircraft since it offers tangible cost savings to our airline customers due to the enhanced fuel burn efficiency while simultaneously benefitting the environment.” said Oleg Demchenko, president of Russia’s Irkut. May 15, 2016 5 JETS Biggin Hill MRO gains ASC extension from Dassault J ETS Biggin Hill has gained a new five-year extension approval as a Dassault authorised service centre for the Falcon 900 and 2000 business jets series. The company is currently expanding their maintenance capability. Growing market demand for minimum down-time for hard-working busi- ness jet aircraft has also enabled JETS to introduce a seven-day a week, 12 hours per day shift pattern for the engineering department. This will provide for customers a full maintenance service from 7am to 7pm during 364 days of the year. The company is introducing a dedicated AOG / Line maintenance support Comlux America opens expanded widebody completions hangar unit. Equipped with a fully equipped response vehicle, JETS can now provide maintenance at short notice and around the clock. The AOG service is not only available within UK and throughout Europe, but the team can reach customers in the Middle East to return an aircraft to immediate service or arrange a ferry to a maintenance base. “British aeronautical engineers provide a stamp of quality and JETS is now moving into a strong position to meet customer expectations with satisfaction.” Paula Hutchison, general manager at JETS, added: “British aeronautical engineers provide a stamp of quality and JETS is now moving into a strong position to meet customer expectations with satisfaction. As a company, we welcome the extension of airport operating hours recently agreed for Biggin Hill and anticipate that this situation will, in turn, help to further build new business and create new jobs opportunities.” As well as approval for Dassault aircraft, JETS holds maintenance approvals for Bombardier, Cessna, Hawker and Dornier aircraft. AMETEK Elects Brian A. Hoffmann as VP & GM, MRO A C omlux America, the US aircraft completions and service centre arm of the Comlux Group, has opened its hangar extension in Indianapolis, a year after it broke ground on the new building. The project has expanded the footprint of the VIP maintenance, repair and overhaul facility from 11,900m² (128,000ft²) to 14,600m², “which means the hangar can now house one widebody airliner [such as an Airbus A340-600 or Boeing 747-800] and up to four narrowbodies simultaneously,” says Comlux. Work on the inaugural widebody, an 6 May 15, 2016 Airbus ACJ330, is under way, with delivery of the VVIP airliner to its unnamed owner scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017. “This aircraft will be the 12th VIP completion for Comlux America,” says the company, which is also outfitting a Boeing Business Jet and a Sukhoi Business Jet at the site. Comlux is a relative newcomer to the VIP airliner completions market. It made its first foray into the sector in 2012, four years after its acquisition of Indianapolis Jet Center – an MRO faciltiy for Bombardier Challenger-series business jets. METEK, Inc. recently announced that the Board of Directors has elected Brian A. Hoffmann as Vice President and General Manager of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Division within AMETEK Aerospace & Defense. “I am pleased to announce Brian’s promotion to Vice President and General Manager. Brian brings extensive general management experience, as well as strong operational and engineering expertise to his new position. We expect him to play a key role in the continued growth and success of our aerospace MRO business,” commented David A. Zapico, Chief Executive Officer. www.mrobusinesstoday.com THAI to cash in on technical services C halermpon Intarawong, executive vice president of the technical department, told The Nation that according to the strategic plan, the department has improved its operating processes to lower cost while expanding services to increase revenue. With over 50 years of experiences, THAI is one of the leaders in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of commercial aircraft. Its technical department has over 3,000 staff providing integrated services - line maintenance, light and heavy maintenance, component and engine overhaul including tools & equipment calibration services through three major maintenance facilities - Don Mueang, U-tapao and Suvarnabhumi. THAI earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance for a feasibility study on joint investment in maintenance of aircraft components. THAI also signed a MoU with a European MRO leader for collaboration on maintenance of aircraft-related components. “The department will submit a study on the joint venture with Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance to the THAI board of directors this month for consideration. If approved, it will be the first joint venture for THAI’s aircraft maintenance service. Air France KLM Engineering and Maintenance will bring customers’ works in the region, technologies and funding while THAI will invest in facilities and equipment,” said Chalermpon. In addition, the technical department is considering an approach by the major regional low-cost carrier to perform maintenance services on their A320 and A330 aircraft at Don Mueang Airport. Once it proves to be a |success, the THAI technical department will serve at least |120 A320 aircraft totally. One of the Asian MRO leaders from Singapore has expressed an interest in expanding its capacity at U-tapao. This Asian MRO leader is also considering choosing THAI as maintenance base for some of its potential customers including A320 aircraft of Japan’s air carrier. Chalermpon said that Airbus is also interested in forming a partnership with THAI. This modern centre is scheduled for opening this September, which will be the first A350 training centre in Asean. Moreover, Airbus has considered THAI to become an Airbus-approved sup- CFM’s Leap-1B gets FAA and EASA certification C FM International confirmed that its LEAP-1B engine has been awarded type certification by the FAA and EASA. The approval by the regulators paves the way for the engine’s entry into service in 2017 powering the 737MAX aircraft. The engine was part of the 737MAX’s first test flight at the end of January 2016 and since then two more engines have been added to the test programme. “This is another great milestone for the LEAP programme and the hard-working team www.mrobusinesstoday.com behind it,” said Allen Paxson, executive vice-president for CFM. “Everyone, from the project and engineering teams to manufacturing and our suppliers, has done an incredible job of keeping this programme on schedule and building an engine that is delivering everything that we have promised.” plier, providing MRO of A380 aircraft for Airbus’ customers. Airbus has a strong intention to enhance the capability of THAI’s Technical Department to provide an aircraft heavy maintenace checks C-2 and C-3 of A380 and other Airbus aircraft in THAI’s fleet. Not just aircraft, Airbus also considered to certify THAI as its approved supplier for the MRO of components. At Suvarnabhumi, THAI has three hangar bays for A380-size aircraft. “New partnerships with OEMs are among the challenges for MROs. OEMs such as Boeing, Airbus and Rolls-Royce are making big inroads into traditional third-party MRO markets through their after-market support,” he said. Besides Thailand, THAI provides line maintenance to carriers in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, India, Pakistan and Nepal. This year, the department expects that the overseas service can generate Bt2.7 billion in revenue compared to Bt2.4 billion last year. Silverfleet acquires Sigma Components E uropean private equity firm Silverfleet Capital has agreed to acquire a majority stake in commercial aircraft parts specialist Sigma Components for £65m ($94.2m). The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the month for Sigma, which operates from four sites in the UK and two facilities in China engineering and manufacturing components for customers including Rolls-Royce, Safran, Airbus, Bombardier and BAE Systems. Mark Johnson, CEO of Sigma, said Silverfleet’s acquisition will help support the firm’s next phase of growth. “We have identified some exciting opportunities for broadening our manufacturing capabilities and developing our relationships with new and existing customers and look forward to taking the business to the next level,” said Johnson. May 15, 2016 7 DART Aerospace Approved Maintenance Center Network is Expanding to Australia and New Zealand D ART Aerospace expands customers’ reach by establishing its new Approved Maintenance Center (AMC) network in Australasia to offer very competitive aftermarket solutions. After six years of working with an exclusive distributor in that region, DART will now service the market directly. Helicopter operators and private owners in this region now have the option to deal directly with their local Approved Maintenance Center (AMC) or with DART’s corporate office. “The launch of the AMC Network in Australasia will al- low quality proximity service from multiple key partners,” says Alain Madore, DART’s Vice President of Commercial Operations and Aftermarket Services. “The change in our sales channel for Australasia will allow DART to take our customer relationships to the next level”. DART welcomes its new AMC partners in Australasia: Airwork (NZ) Ltd, Eagle Copters Australasia Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd (Australia), Helibiz Pty, Helisupport NZ Ltd, Heliwork QLD Pty Ltd, Pacific Crown Helicopters Pty Ltd, and Yungur Aviation Services Pvt Ltd. With this expanded presence, DART gives small- and medium-sized helicopter operators and private owners in Australia, New Zealand and surrounding countries regional access to dedicated partners that are qualified to offer DART aftermarket solutions. AMC partners are also able to offer their customers highly competitive terms. “These highly trained and qualified AMC partners in Australasia can now offer the best parts and maintenance solutions available without having to go through an additional distribution layer, and at a significant cost savings to their customers.” says Alain Madore. “Don’t hesitate to ask your closest AMC about the new DART products.” DART launched its North American AMC Network branch in January 2016 and is looking forward to grow its Australasia customers’ reach through its new partnerships. Members of this select network are leaders in their regions and were carefully selected by DART for their market reach and quality of service. Additional AMC partners will be announced soon in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 and 2380 receives approval for CFM LEAP-1A Engines E astman Chemical Company announced that it has received approval from engine manufacturer CFM International for Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 and 2380 use in the CFM* LEAP-1A engine, one of the two options for the Airbus A320neo. This latest approval is another testament to Eastman’s proven product portfolio that continues to be widely approved across existing engine platforms. Eastman Turbo Oils remain adept at enabling innovation, safety and efficiency within the engine market and aviation industry and are differentiated by their superior performance such as High Thermal Stability (HTS). Manufacturer-conducted CFM LEAP- 8 May 15, 2016 1A engine tests using Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 and 2380 confirmed positive lubrication system performance, oil sample results and lube system diagnostics as expected. The performance during this testing resulted in Eastman Aviation Solutions receiving approval on Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 and 2380 from CFM International for use with LEAP-1A engines. “We are proud to have approval for the new CFM LEAP-1A engines, which will be used on the Airbus A320neo. This approval continues our strong heritage to provide our customers, the airlines, with the choice of proven products and performance attributes that create strong value for their operations.” said Mahendra Dorairaj, general manager of Specialty Fluids and Energy, Eastman Aviation Solutions. Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 is designed to exceed the demands of current and future jet engines and is by far the most widely used HTS fleet oil in the world. Qualified to MIL-PRF-23699 HTS Class and SAE AS5780 HPC Class, Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 has logged over 350 million hours of operation in the past two decades. www.mrobusinesstoday.com Malaysia Airlines en route to profitability, declares COO Boeing-Equipped Training Center Opens B M alaysia Airlines is on course to return to profitability based on its restructuring master plan, the recently appointed Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) executive director Peter Bellew said. “We will fix MAB. I have been here for eight months now and I have never had a moment of doubt about this,” he said. He also said MAB was working towards improving sales and revealed that things were “improving quite rapidly”. “A lot of operational things are also coming together quite well, like on-time performance, ” he said, citing the airlines improved performance in delivering bags on time. On a separate issue, Bellew re- vealed that US-based Aircraft Propeller Service LLC was expected to form a partnership with MAB to establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for ATR’s turboprop propellers in Kuala Lumpur. The centre, he explained, would be the first in the Asia-Pacific region and it would be based at MAB’s MRO hub at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang. Bellew said the facility was expected to start operations later this year, starting with minor repair and maintenance works. “We plan to expand the operation into major repair and maintenance works, including the propeller blades, in the second half of next year.” oeing has equipped the U.S. Navy’s new P-8 Maintenance Training Facility with a suite of realistic, interactive training systems, another key step in the services’ efforts to fully integrate the aircraft into the fleet. Based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., the center alloows the Navy to provide immersive training for those maintaining P-8A Poseidon aircraft around the world. The virtual maintenance training devices provide interactive, high-fidelity simulations based on actual mission systems software, while the hardware-based trainers are full-scale replicas of aircraft components. Navy maintainers will learn more than 1,000 procedures using seven virtual maintenance trainers, 14 hardware-based devices and an ordnance load trainer. The realistic training speeds familiarity with the aircraft and its systems, enabling them to quickly become proficient in both preventive, corrective and diagnostic tasks. “Our new P-8A Maintenance Training Facility will provide the fleet with qualified technicians equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to keep the P-8A aircraft flying for many years to come.” said Robert Powden, department head of the U.S. Navy’s P-8A maintenance training unit. Jet Aviation Basel refurbishes first Legacy 650 J et Aviation has refurbished its first Embraer Legacy 650 business jet on behalf of a private owner. The project was undertaken at the business aviation services provider’s completions centre in Basel, Switzerland, during its scheduled C-check heavy maintenance inspection. The largecabin business jet has since been sold to Johannesburg-headquartered company Planair Enterprises. The refurbishment included a full-carpet replacement, seat and divan re-upholstery, wood repairs, re-covering of the dado panels, new flooring in the galley and a full exterior repaint, says Jet Aviation. The Basel facility is the only www.mrobusinesstoday.com service centre in Europe that is authorised to perform the full suite of MRO services on Embraer business jets, including Part 21 design organisation and interior work, it adds. According to Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database, there are around 90 Legacy 650s in service globally. The Rolls-Royce AE3007-A2-powered aircraft was introduced in 2009 as an extended-range version of the 14-year-old ERJ-135-derived Legacy 600. Meanwhile, Jet Aviation’s facility in St Louis, Illinois, is to install for the first time Honeywell’s JetWave satellite communications terminals in a Bombardier Global Express. The project will be undertaken as part of a major refurbishment contract for the long-range business jet and will provide passengers with much faster high-speed connectivity during flight. May 15, 2016 9 AAR gearing up for Middle East MRO venture R ahul Shah, the company’s Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said the company is looking to increase its international portfolio from its current 35% of its total business to 50% within three years. The expansion, he says, will include an MRO joint venture, as well as joint ventures for landing gear and component overhaul services. “We are in dialogue with various airlines and facilities,” he said. Shah says the company is looking to leverage its success in supply chain initiatives achieved through its contract with Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMMROC). AAR has supported the design, outfitting and integration of key areas of AMMROC’s state-ofthe-art facility in Al Ain, the emirate’s second city. The US $38.6 million contract saw AAR design support areas including hangars, work stations and machine and special process shops for the military maintenance center which will open later this year. AAR last year relocated its Middle East regional office to Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Center. Middle East’s defence industry is a key target for AAR’s planned growth, particularly in the Gulf where defence budgets are the world’s fastest-rising notching up 8% growth a year. The company has also just begun work on a five-year, US $72 million Complete Logistics Support (CLS) Foreign Military Sales contract to sustain a C-130H aircraft fleet on behalf of the Afghan Air Force. Shah says AAR will focus on delivering performance-based logistics for the military sector and developing OEM distribution as an integrator for the civil sector focussing on powerby-the-hour contract for airlines in the Middle East and Africa. “We are currently bidding on three contracts in the region,” he said. “We are in dialogue with various airlines and facilities. We have to, to stay competitive and to reach our aim of becoming number one in the business by leveraging our expertise in planning and forecasting for inventory management.” D 10 May 15, 2016 T rueAero has hired Dan Barton as Manager of Airframe & Engine Material. Dan will be responsible for Airframe & Engine end of life management including teardown, sales and repair vendor management. TrueAero is a diversified, worldwide aviation services company providing aftermarket support, parts and logistics solutions to airlines and MRO’s worldwide. TrueAero focuses on the sourcing and supply of commercial airframe and engine material while providing aircraft end of life solutions in support of airlines, MRO’s, leasing companies and financial institutions worldwide. “I’m very fortunate and excited to be able to pair my diverse background and experience with TrueAero’s product offering of Airframe and Engine material. We will continue to deliver the quality product our customers expect.”-Dan Barton. CTS Engines named the “supplier of the year” 2015 Boeing T Delta orders 37 A321 aircraft, selects CFM56-5B engines elta Air Lines has placed an order for an additional 37 A321ceo aircraft and has chosen the CFM56-5B engine option to power the jets. The A321 order is earmarked to replace some of Delta’s older narrowbodies including the MD-88 and delivery of the new aircraft will begin in 2017 through to 2019. The agreement also includes a five- TrueAero Hires Dan Barton as Manager of Airframe & Engine Material year material support contract for the CFM56-5B/-7B engines in the Delta fleet, adding to the 126 CFM International engines powering its A319 and A320 aircraft. The order for the Airbus narrowbody and the CFM engines follows the Atlanta-based carrier confirming that it had committed to 125 CSeries aircraft from Bombardier. he CTS Engines, the global leader in maintaining seasoned engine services, announced it was named a “supplier of the year” 2015 Boeing in the category Support and Services for its engine overhaul support CF6 fleet E-4B of force US air. “We are so excited that we have no words to receive this award from a consumer of high-level agreement,” said Brian Neff, the executive director of CTS. “All of us here at CTS recognize the profound significance of this award from Boeing and the critical importance of the fundamental mission of the consumer. It is a great honor to receive this award, and is recognition of the excellent CTS value proposition in the seasoned engine market. “ CTS Engines was one of 12 companies to receive one of the annual awards. In 2015, Boeing spent $ 62 billion with more than 13,000 suppliers in 47 countries. The components and assemblies provided by the supplier comprise 65% of the cost of Boeing products. www.mrobusinesstoday.com StandardAero Component Services Further Expands/ Invests in Component Repair Capabilities S tandardAero has completed a major wave of investment and expansion for its aerospace component repair capabilities at the company’s facilities located in Winnipeg, Canada and Cincinnati, Ohio. The company’s Winnipeg facility has opened a state-of-the-art plating cell with chrome, nickel, cadmium, silver, tin and copper capabilities. This expands on other extensive component repair capabilities including platinum alu- minide coatings, fluoride ion cleaning, cold metal transfer and laser welding, cladding and drilling. The facility is also actively industrializing time sensitive book repairs as well as co-developing new OEM approved repairs to lower operators’ maintenance costs. Meanwhile, StandardAero’s Cincinnati facility has committed to growing employment and multi-million dollar investments in new equipment, includ- Jazz Aviation wins Air Georgian CRJ contract J azz Aviation LP (“Jazz”) announced that it has signed a five-year heavy maintenance agreement with Air Georgian Limited of Mississauga, Ontario. Under this contract Jazz’s Heavy Maintenance business will perform the heavy maintenance repair and overhaul requirements for Air Georgian’s fleet of CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft. The work will be carried out at Jazz’s Heavy Maintenance facility at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is expected to commence in the summer of 2016. “We are very pleased that Air Georgian has chosen Jazz heavy maintenance as its CRJ100/200 repair and overhaul provider,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. “Jazz is well recognized in the industry as a high quality maintenance operator with skilled technicians and unmatched experience with Bombardier regional aircraft. This agreement represents a meaningful business opportunity to generate incremental www.mrobusinesstoday.com revenue and to strengthen our competitive edge by reducing unit costs through organic growth.” In the coming months, Jazz will further strengthen its market competitiveness by transitioning its heavy maintenance business to a separate division of Jazz. The new division, to be named Jazz Technical Services, will focus on the heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul of Bombardier aircraft. This dedicated focus will enable it to offer customers a disciplined, cost-management approach. It will also provide operational benefits and cost efficiencies, thereby creating opportunities to grow beyond the work it does today for Jazz. ing cold spray technologies, and facility expansion. Recently, at the 2016 MRO Americas conference and exhibition held in Dallas, Texas, StandardAero received the “Top Shop” award from OneAero MRO as the industry’s leading Engine Component Repair Shop. This is the second year in a row that StandardAero has received this honor and all winners of the Top Shop Awards are nominated and ultimately selected by their peers in the aviation industry. OneAero MRO tabulates all the nominations to create a “short list” of finalists. The finalists are then selected by a panel of 20 airlines and suppliers from around the world, based on superior customer support, excellent turnaround times and competitive repair pricing. “We work hard every day, on every order, to earn our customers’ business. Winning the Top Shop award again is a great honor but it would not have been possible without our customers’ support. In addition, we are investing further to improve our turn time and lower our customers’ repair costs,” said Rick Stine, President of StandardAero Components, Helicopters & Accessories. Veteran Aircraft Maintenance Technician Petre Liliac Joins Spirit Aeronautics S pirit Aeronautics, a world class leader in business aircraft services, is proud to announce that veteran aircraft maintenance technician Petre Liliac has joined the Spirit team as an Aircraft Maintenance Lead Technician. “We are very pleased to add someone of Petre’s caliper and skills to our team”, said Tony Bailey, President & COO. “His abilities and experience complement our existing staff and provide the extra leadership and floor level talent we wanted to support our growth in maintenance activities performed at Spirit. He is a much respected professional in the aviation industry and is an incredible addition to our organization!” May 15, 2016 11 New Chief Technical Officer for AJW Aviation A JW Aviation appoints David Lewis, as Chief Technical Officer continuing the organisation’s commitment to the recruitment of highly experienced professionals to take the growth and development of the business worldwide to greater heights. He will be responsible for: technical standards and best practices across all divisions of the business, specifically MRO, reliability, warranty and inventory management for customer’s technical spares support programmes, aircraft maintenance, engine management and asset health monitoring; guiding aircraft teardown and end of lease management reconciliations, as well as service level agreements with AJW’s approved repair vendors. Christopher Whiteside, President – Norwest Equity Partners Invests in West Star Aviation N orwest Equity Partners (“NEP”), a leading middle market investment firm founded in 1961, has made a significant investment in West Star Aviation, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing independent providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) and related support services to the business aviation industry. West Star prides itself on a customerfirst business model specializing in airframe repair and maintenance, landing gear modifications and overhauls, avionics upgrades and installation, interior refurbishment, paint, and spare part sales. West Star is an attractive investment opportunity for NEP for a variety of reasons, including the current attractive market dynamics for both newer in-warranty and older, out-of-warranty aircraft. “On behalf of the entire West Star team, we are confident that our new partnership with NEP will help us successfully achieve our next level of growth. Our operating 12 May 15, 2016 philosophy will remaing grounded in our strong technical expertise, experienced employees, attention to detail and focus on customer service,” said West Star Aviation CEO Robert Rasberry. Tim DeVries, NEP Managing General Partner, stated, “West Star’s solid business model and industry-leading management team have helped to establish extremely high barriers to entry within the business aviation market.West Star has done a great job to earn a global reputation as a highly-valued, ‘go-to’ MRO services provider, and we’re going to work hard to leverage their existing growth momentum along with our combined NEP capital and resources to further build and grow the Company.” Todd Solow, NEP Partner, shared, “From expanding service capabilities and facilities to key contracts and strategic growth initiatives, West Star is well-positioned for continued success. The right team is also in place to help lead the way.” AJW Group, highlights Lewis’ ability to work collaboratively across airline teams in multi-cultural environments, and his in-depth experience of regulatory authorities. “David is a proven leader with a high level of technical and commercial competence. As an organisation focused on the provision of continuous improvement in aviation support services that embody safety, quality and efficiency – we appreciate the knowledge and experience that he can bring. AJW is a firm believer is self-motivation and David’s previous career path amply demonstrates that he has the ability to envision and implement the services that our customers need, or solve their operational problems. He will be responsible for our repair, technical and customer services teams, sharing his analytical and evaluative skills alongside insider understanding of airline MRO challenges.” Lewis will report directly to Boris Wolstenholme, CEO – AJW Aviation and will work closely with the senior management team. He joins the organisation on 9th May and will be based at AJW’s corporate headquarters in the UK. Include Salem airport under RCS T he Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Salem) has urged the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to accord priority to reviving Salem Airport under its proposed Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). In a memorandum to R. N. Choubey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, K. Mariappan, president of the Chamber, thanked the Ministry for taking steps for reviving the un-served dormant airports by introducing new civil aviation policy. The petition also pleaded for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities at Salem airport. The Chamber representatives had discussions with the private sector airlines that are getting MRO services at Bengaluru. They are prepared to get MRO services at Salem airport. He urged the Ministry to provide necessary illumination at Salem airport for night operations and also for the MRO services. www.mrobusinesstoday.com HAL to manufacture Russian military helicopters H industan Aeronautics Ltd is set to include the participation of its 4,000-plus vendors across the country, to help execute the contract to manufacture the Russian Kamov military helicopters which is .estimated to cost over $1 billion. Russia and India had agreed to jointly produce about 200 Ka-226T helicopters to replace the Cheetah and Chetak Choppers under the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. An agreement to this effect was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in December 2015. Sources said sixty aircraft will be supplied to be assembled in India, while the remaining 140 are planned to be manufactured at Indian production facilities. Sources added that though it is an inter-government deal drawn on the same lines as the earlier Russian Sukhoi-30-MKI fighter jets, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was chosen to manufacture the helicopters for the Indian armed forces given its previous experience in making copters. A senior HAL official, speaking to BusinessLine on the condition of anonymity, said a decision had not yet been taken on the location to manufacture the copters. “Discussions are on to manufacture the Ka-226T in Nashik, Maharashtra, though Bengaluru happens to be the main ground for manufacturing helicopters. Bengaluru has the wherewithal and the necessary manpower. However, all Russian production is done out of Nashik,” said the official. HAL has developed a “separate township in Nashik for manufacturing Russian defence contracts. This does not include helicopters,” said the official. The manufacturing unit for the Ka-226T helicopters was slated to come up at Tumakuru near Bengaluru, which was primarily set up to manufacture and undertake MRO activities for indigenously designed and developed light utility helicopter and other helicopters. The official said HAL has never manufactured helicopters with Russian collaboration. “All our joint Russian production has been fixed wing. Now, we have to learn to collaborate on rotary wing,” said the official, adding that it brought its own set of issues. With each helicopter set to have “230 different parts”, HAL is looking at “mission collaboration” and is set to outsource the work to its Indian vendors. “We have 4,000-plus vendors across the country. We will work with our suppliers and vendors to build individual hardware,” confirmed the HAL official. The Russian-Indian joint venture includes holdings of Rosoboronexport, Russian Helicopters, and HAL. Though HAL is Russia’s main partner in the project, Rosoboronexport recently announced it would also pick other Indian firms to participate in the project. Viktor Kladov, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy of the Russian State Corporation Rostec, said the production of Russia’s Kamov Ka-226T in India may begin in 2017. India’s Reliance Defence partners with three Ukrainian firms for military aircraft R eliance Defence has collaborated with three Ukrainian firms to manufacture a range of military and commercial transport aircraft. The partner companies include Ukraine state-owned Ukroboronprom, Spetstechno Export and Antonov. Reliance and Antonov will bid for the Medium Military Transport Aircraft programme of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Reliance-Antonov partnership will take responsibility for the assembly, manufacture and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft. www.mrobusinesstoday.com Under the deal with Spetstechno Export, the BMP 2 armoured vehicle will be modernised for the Indian Army. Other armoured vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and marine gas turbines will also be upgraded for the Indian Navy Frigate programme. HAL expects up to 300 aircraft will be manufactured. The development could mark the largest collaborative effort involving the public sector, private sector and a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) under the Make in India and Skill India initiatives. Reliance Defence recently obtained 15 industrial licences to produce technology, including heavy weapons, armoured vehicles, ammunition, electronic warfare systems, UAVs and directed energy weapon systems. May 15, 2016 13 international events EVENT DATE COUNTRY EBACE 24 - 26, May, 2016 31 May, 2016 1-2, June, 2016 1 - 4, June, 2016 Geneva, Switzerland London, UK London, UK Berlin, Germany 8-9, June, 2016 Prague, Czech Republic 14 - 16, June, 2016 Shanghai, China Aero-Engines Europe 11 – 17 July,2016 20 - 23 August, 2016 14-15 Sept, 2016 Farnborough, UK Atlanta, GA, USA Lisbon, Portugal 12th Maintenance Cost Conference (MCC) 14-15 Sept, 2016 Bangkok, Thailand 16th Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference 19 – 21 Sept, 2016 Toulouse, France MRO Europe 25-27 Sept, 2016 27-29, Sept, 2016 18-20 Oct, 2016 Barcelona, Spain Singapore Amsterdam, Netherlands Airline Engineering & Maintenance: North America 26-27 Oct, 2016 Charlotte, NC, USA Aircraft Interiors Expo Asia 25-27 Oct, 2016 Singapore Airline Engineering & Maintenance: Central, Eastern & Southern Europe 16-17 Nov, 2016 Zagreb, Croatia Airline Engineering & Maintenance: Asia Pacific Nov, 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ap&m Summit ap&m Europe ILA Berlin Air Show MRO BEER Baltics, Eastern Europe & Russia 3rd Shanghai International MRO Exhibition Farnborough Airshow ACPC ISTAT Europe MRO Asia-Pacific 2016 NewsDesk: editorial@mrobusinesstoday.com Info: info@mrobusinesstoday.com 14 May 15, 2016 www.mrobusinesstoday.com