Wednesday, March 28, 2012
AviTrader Daily Aviation News Alert
This is an overview of all articles linked within the selected daily newsletter.
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Rolls-Royce wins order from CIT to power 23 aircraft
May 22, 2013
Rolls-Royce has won an order from US leasing company CIT Aerospace for Trent XWB engines, to power ten Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and Trent 700 engines to power 13 Airbus A330 aircraft. The Trent XWB engines will power ten CIT A350 aircraft that were announced in January 2013 which were in addition to five A350 XWB aircraft already on order. The Trent XWB, specifically designed for the Airbus A350, is the fastest selling Trent engine ever, with more than 1,200 already sold. The engine variant that will power the A350-800 and -900 was awarded European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification in February. The engine will power the first flight of the Airbus A350 XWB this year and the aircraft’s first in-service flight in 2014.
GE Aviation signs additive manufacturing cooperative agreement with Sigma Labs
May 24, 2013
GE Aviation and Sigma Labs signed a Joint Technology Development Agreement (JTDA) to advance and implement in-process inspection technologies for additive manufactured jet engine components. The mutually-developed inspection technology will verify the quality and geometry of additive components during the additive build process, increasing additive production speeds up to 25 percent in support of GE Aviation’s growing production rates. “Today, post-build inspection procedures account for as much as 25 percent of the time required to produce an additively manufactured engine component,” said Greg Morris, GE Aviation’s business development leader for additive manufacturing. “By conducting those inspection procedures while the component is being built, GE Aviation and Sigma labs will expedite production rates for GE’s additive manufactured engine components like the LEAP fuel nozzle.”
LDC completes significant investment into Airline Services Ltd.
March 26, 2012
Private equity provider LDC has completed a significant investment to support the management buyout of Airline Services Ltd. With principal bases in Manchester, Gatwick and London Stansted Airports, Airline Services is a long established, leading provider of aircraft interior and ramp presentation services with expertise in aircraft de-icing, ramp turnaround, cabin maintenance and retrofit services. It supports more than 100 airlines and aviation businesses in the UK and internationally, including industry suppliers and aircraft lessors. The newly ratified deal is the third transaction completed by LDC Midlands’ team using capital from LDC’s £200 million manufacturing and specialist engineering commitment. Airlines Services’ Workshop division incorporates the repair and overhaul of cabin interiors, aircraft seats, galley equipment, lighting, in-flight entertainment and other avionic systems from its headquarters at Manchester and London Stansted. Its Ramp Operations division operates from 12 UK airports, providing aircraft de-icing and other ramp services all aimed at minimising aircraft time on the ground. Based at Gatwick and East Midlands Airports, the group’s Rotable Components business provides a rotable parts and wheels and brakes management and repair capability from a substantial stockholding base. Established for more than 25 years, the business has been led by Chief Executive Bryan Bodek since the year 2000. In that time it has achieved significant growth across all three divisions as airlines increasingly out-source operations and demand for cabin MRO services increases. The business is now well-positioned for future growth, with a record order book and annual turnover approaching £60million.
BizJet International licensed as Boeing Business Jet Completion Center
March 26, 2012
Boeing and BizJet International, Lufthansa Technik’s US subsidiary, have recently signed a Supplemental License Agreement, giving BizJet the status of a Boeing Approved Completion Center and becoming an official member of Boeing’s Business Jet (BBJ) completion network. In the past BizJet invested about six million USD in the expansion of its infrastructure including the extension of shops, acquisition of new machines and employee training. With about 320 employees, BizJet offers the complete spectrum of MRO services for VIP and business aircraft, including Airbus ACJ and Boeing BBJ along with comprehensive fixed base operator services.
GA Telesis names Paul Lochab, Senior Vice President of Global Sales
March 26, 2012
GA Telesis released that Paul Lochab will lead global sales initiatives as its new Senior Vice President of Global Sales. Paul will have oversight of management of approximately 100 Team Members globally, including all international sales and distribution operations.
Furthermore GA Telesis appointed Gordon Humphreys as its Vice President of Business Development and Programs. Mr. Humphreys will be responsible for all inventory solutions programs, including flight hour, inventory leasing, vendor management and supply chain programs. He is being tasked with taking all of the services that GA Telesis is capable of supplying and integrating them into solution-based services tailored to individual customers.
Nayak Aircraft Services to provide line maintenance support for Condor
March 26, 2012
Starting this summer, Nayak Aircraft Services will be responsible for the technical assistance of German airline Condor at their home base operation in Cologne, CGN. Engineers from both Nayak Netherlands B.V. and Nayak Germany will provide line maintenance support for the Boeing 757 aircraft.
NAT and British Airways continue with first class upgrade
March 26, 2012
Northwest Aerospace Technologies (NAT) is continuing to assist British Airways (BA) with its first class cabin retrofit program on its Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The modification includes the integration of new first class suites, in-flight entertainment (IFE) system upgrades, a new cabin lighting system and new electronic window blinds. NAT has worked closely with British Airways Engineering, British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) and the airline’s suppliers on the upgrade program, which has included several prototype modifications requiring FAA STC certification and EASA validation. The companies completed a similar program on British Airways’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which were delivered directly from Boeing to BAMC for fitting of the new First and Club World seats, IFE, cabin lighting and electronic blinds, under a separate NAT STC.
Lufthansa Technik orders CTT Cair System for one BBJ747-8
March 26, 2012
Lufthansa Technik has ordered CTT Cair System to be installed, starting from Oct 2012, in one BBJ747-8 aircraft. Cair is focused on the passengers’ health and comfort by providing humidification of the extremely dry aircraft cabins without causing condensation. Cair gives a pleasant relative humidity of around 20%, compared to 3-5% without, thereby reducing dry air related problems (e.g. fatigue, jet-lag, red eyes, dry skin, spread of virus diseases). Lufthansa Technik has already installed the Cair System in five various VIP widebody and narrowbody aircraft types.
Israir Airlines and WheelTug sign Letter of Intent
March 26, 2012
Israir Airlines and WheelTug announced their execution of a Letter of Intent to enter an agreement under which Israir will deploy WheelTug Aircraft Drive Systems for its Airbus A320 fleet, subject to financial and operational feasibility checks and regulatory approvals. The deal makes Israir WheelTug’s first launch customer for A320, and reserves 10 WheelTug System delivery slots for Israir. The WheelTug electric drive system uses high-performance electric motors, installed in the nose gear wheels of an aircraft, to provide full mobility while on the ground, without the use of the aircraft’s jet engines or tugs for both pushback and taxi operations.
ILFC announces proposed $550m senior secured term loan
March 26, 2012
ILFC announced that it intends to raise a new senior secured term loan of $550 million. ILFC plans to use proceeds of the new term loan to refinance the Company’s outstanding $550 million senior secured term loan with essentially the same maturity. The new senior secured term loan would be secured primarily by a first priority perfected lien on the equity of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries that directly or indirectly own a pool of aircraft and related leases.
Saab receives order from FMV regarding Gripen System
March 26, 2012
Defence and security company Saab has received an order amounting to 128m Kronor, approximately €14m, from FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) for system maintenance regarding Gripen. In accordance with the order from FMV, Saab will undertake continual maintenance and updates for the Gripen C/D in compliance with the Swedish Armed Forces’ long-term planning for the Gripen system. Saab will also maintain the Gripen C/D system’s operational capability. The order includes technical support, product maintenance, flight testing and flight simulator operation to ensure the operational capability of the Gripen system. The activities will be carried out during the second quarter of 2012.
VAS Aero Services expands operations in the Pacific Northwest
March 27, 2012
VAS Aero Services, a global leader in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, announced the expansion of its Kent, WA, Pacific Northwest distribution facility. The greater than 50% increase in leased space will result in a nearly 300,000-ft² rapid-response distribution and logistics center, reflecting the company’s surging growth and strategic position in the region.
“Expanding our presence and capabilities in the Pacific Northwest underscores VAS Aero Services’ commitment to market-leader customers such as the Boeing Company, and positions us to support the rise in military and commercial aviation business on a global scale,” according to David V. Deal, Sr. Vice President of Operations for VAS Aero Services.
Crane appoints new VP, Cabin Systems Solution
March 27, 2012
Crane Aerospace & Electronics announced the appointment of Chris Cook to the position of Vice President, Cabin Systems Solutions. Cook will be responsible for leading Crane’s Cabin Systems product line. The role encompasses strategy development and planning, achievement of key product line financial objectives, leadership of business and product development activities, and ensuring customer satisfaction related to Cabin Systems products and support.
Doric Nimrod Air Two issues £200m of shares
March 27, 2012
Nimrod Capital and Doric Asset Finance announced the successful listing of a further £200m of C shares on the London Stock Exchange. Doric Nimrod Air Two Limited (“DNA2″) aims to pay a quarterly dividend equivalent to 9% per annum (based on the issue price of 200 pence per share) following the purchase and leasing of a further four Airbus A380 planes to Emirates, in addition to the three it contracted to buy last year. The total market capitalisation of the company after this issue will be about £360m. DNA2 shares are now trading at 221 pence compared to the launch price of 200 pence. DNA2 will altogether own seven Airbus A380s and will lease them to Emirates, each for a period of 12 years from the point of delivery, reflecting the development of a sizable aircraft financing platform. Upon leasing of the planes, DNA2 will aim to pay a dividend of 4.5p per quarter per 200 pence share. Under the terms of the lease, the airline is responsible for insurance and all other service, maintenance and repair costs.
Lufthansa Technik’s ‘Guideline’ now available on Boeing aircraft
March 27, 2012
Lufthansa Technik is now offering Guideline ColourFit, the non-electric floor path marking system, also for Boeing aircraft. The product has been certified for the Boeing 777 and 747-8. For Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier aircraft the innovative system is already available. The elaborate certification process included the requirement to demonstrate that over 60 inexperienced subjects could successively find their nearest exit in the aircraft in the dark, relying on Guideline. This expensive and time-consuming test was overseen by the FAA and EASA and took over ten hours to perform. Boeing has already installed Guideline in 777s for several airlines, while 747-8 launch customer Lufthansa has also ordered Guideline for its new aircraft.
Qantas expands to China with newly founded ‘Jetstar Hong Kong’
March 27, 2012
The Australian airline Qantas and China Eastern Airlines founded a low cost airline in Hong Kong. The joint venture, in which both owners have an equal share, will begin service in the coming year under the name ‘Jetstar Hong Kong’. The new airline will start operations with three A320 aircraft and will expand its fleet to 18 A320 aircraft by the year 2015. Qantas and China Eastern together invested $198m in the new airline.
Aeromobile hails Panasonic Avionics as new majority shareholder
March 27, 2012
AeroMobile, a leading provider of in-flight mobile communications for passengers, released that Panasonic Avionics Corporation has become its majority shareholder. The transaction underscores Panasonic’s commitment to AeroMobile and to its eXPhone product, which is a key element in the company’s long term in-flight connectivity and communications strategy.
Telenor, which previously was AeroMobile’s sole owner, remains the only other shareholder and will continue to bring its longstanding expertise in telecoms to AeroMobile. Moving forward, AeroMobile will continue to operate as an independent company, offering industry-leading in-flight voice and data services. The company will continue to maintain and expand its global telecom roaming agreements and bring the AeroMobile service to an ever widening group of passengers.
Pitch Aircraft Seating unveils new light weight, modular economy seat
March 27, 2012
Pitch Aircraft Seating, the expanding UK-based aircraft seat manufacturer, is unveiling its new light-weight economy seat, the PF2000, at Aircraft Interiors Expo. Designed for the high-density, single-aisle economy class retrofit market, this clean line seat has been created by a talented team which calls on a wealth of experience in the automotive and aviation market. Developed in co-operation with Intier Automotive, a division of Magna and leading automotive and premier aviation design specialists Design Q, Pitch’s innovative seating solution weighs less than 25kg for a triple unit, thanks to the extensive use of lightweight composite materials.
Pitch is confident that it is bringing its seat to market at the right time, when many airlines, with a close eye on rising fuel prices and fierce market competition are hesitant about committing a big outlay on new equipment. For its retrofit plans it is already advancing with plans to support the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 series.
Minsheng Financial Leasing takes delivery of first Legacy 650 aircraft
March 27, 2012
China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing (MSFL) took delivery of the first of 13 ordered Legacy 650 aircraft. The milestone is the culmination of a Memorandum of Understanding between Minsheng and Embraer, signed last July, covering the full range of Embraer’s executive jets which was shortly followed by MSFL’s 13-aircraft Legacy 650 order. At the 2012 Singapore Airshow, Embraer and Minsheng announced an additional agreement for three Lineage 1000, ultra-large jets.
JAL takes delivery of first two 787 Dreamliners powered by GEnx-1B engines
March 27, 2012
After a delay of almost three years, Japan Airlines took delivery of its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners on March 26th, in a ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Center near Everett, Washington. JAL has orders for a total of 45 aircraft and options for an additional 20 GEnx-powered 787 Dreamliners. The delivery to JAL brings the total number of Dreamliners delivered to seven.
Thales and CETCA sign joint venture agreement for new C919 aircraft
March 27, 2012
Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) systems and China Electronics Technology Avionics Co., (CETCA), signed a joint venture agreement that brings together worldclass technology solutions companies, dedicated to the new C919 aircraft, manufactured by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The official signing took place at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, Hamburg (Germany). The joint venture operations are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2012, following final approval by the relevant authorities. Thales and CETCA are dedicated to establishing this joint venture as a global Center of Excellence which provides capabilities covering research development, production, adaptation and maintenance for the in-flight entertainment market.
