Daily2018-02-20

LATEST NEWS

Monday, June 17th, 2019

EPL_DY_2019-06-10

CFM resolves LEAP backlog but cautious about increasing output

With Boeing reducing its output of the 737 MAX which is powered by CFM LEAP engines, CFM International has seized the opportunity to wipe out the current backlog of engine deliveries to Boeing.

With Boeing reducing MAX output to 42 units per month as opposed to a previous rate of 52 and also deferring a planned increase to 57 units per month, not only has CFM resolved its deliver backlog to Boeing, but it has also closed the gap on engine delays for the Airbus A320neo which is powered by either the CFM LEAP engine or the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan.

However, with Boeing seeking an optimum output of 57 MAXs per month and Airbus looking to ramp up production of the A320neo from a current 60 aircraft per month to 63, CFM Chief Executive Gael Meheust was more cautious about the engine maker’s capabilities of meeting any increased demand. Commenting on the situation, Meheust said: “We always want to commit on things we are sure we are going to accomplish. We would be very uncomfortable in committing to something that we are not completely sure of, and right now we are not sure that the supply chain is capable of doing more than it is doing today.”

Pattonair wins Safran Ventilation Systems contract

Aerospace supply chain provider, Pattonair, has won its first contract from Safran Ventilation Systems (SVS). The contract, which is for up to five years, will commence in the coming months and ramp up throughout 2019.

Pattonair will service SVS from a new Toulouse facility, providing advanced logistical services for the wide range of ventilation products SVS supplies for avionics and interiors fans on multiple aircraft
programmes.

GAT-2019-06-17

ST Engineering’s Aerospace arm enters into long-term collaboration with Honeywell

ST Engineering's Aerospace arm has entered into a long-term collaboration with Honeywell through an agreement that will have ST Engineering acting as a licensed repair centre for Honeywell components.

Under this agreement, ST Engineering becomes an official member of Honeywell Channel Partner network, and will have access to Honeywell’s maintenance document and technical support for over 2,000 individual part numbers from avionics to electrical and mechanical components. As Honeywell’s channel partner, ST Engineering will be using Honeywell’s advanced technologies and software solutions to provide one-stop component repair and overhaul services for
operators worldwide.

Alan Jenkins appointed CFO of Nordic Aviation Capital

Regional aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital, will strengthen its Executive Management Team with the appointment of Alan Jenkins as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 2019. Jenkins will report to the company’s CEO, Søren M. Overgaard.

Alan Jenkins has over 20 years of experience in the aviation and financial services industry. Up to recently, he was the President, COO and CFO of Waypoint Leasing, a position he held since the launch of the business in 2013. Waypoint was the largest independent global helicopter lessor.
Prior to Waypoint, Jenkins ran an aviation consultancy business for three years. Between 2006 and 2010, he was the CFO of Genesis Lease Limited; an NYSE listed global aircraft lessor which commenced operations through a US$830 million IPO in late 2006 and then merged with AerCap in 2010.

TPA_DY_2019-06-11

French Air Force orders one additional H225M

The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA has signed an order to purchase an additional H225M which will be operated by the French Air Force. The aircraft will be delivered in a configuration that allows it to be interoperable with the existing fleet of 10 H225Ms in the French Air Force and in particular it will be capable of inflight refuelling, an essential operational advantage that this helicopter offers.

The aircraft will be based in Cazaux and will be used for Special Forces and Search and Rescue missions.

Boeing to acquire EnCore Group

Boeing has entered into an agreement to acquire California-based EnCore Group, an aerospace interiors company that designs, certifies and produces airplane galleys and seats for airlines and also supplies products and components to Boeing.

Boeing’s acquisition of EnCore Group will strengthen internal capabilities and increase innovation within its cabin vertical in order to provide greater end-to-end value to airline customers—from increased options and better products to improved capacity and availability. The acquisition includes the entire company including EnCore Interiors, EnCore International and LIFT by EnCore. Boeing previously partnered with LIFT by EnCore on the launch of its Tourist Class Seating, designed specifically to complement the Boeing 737 Sky Interior.

With approximately 700 employees, EnCore Group is headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., with facilities located in California and Mexico. EnCore Group has been a supplier to Boeing since its formation in 2011.

KEL_DY_2019-06-11

Air Partner awarded managed services contract by Airbus

Air Partner, the global aviation services group, has been awarded a three-year contract by Airbus for Managed Services. ir Partner’s Managed Services team provides a range of professional, technical and commercial expertise that is available around the clock, 365 days a year, enabling customers to maximise operational efficiencies.

As part of the contract, Air Partner will manage all operational and contractual requirements for Airbus’ corporate shuttle flights, which are a vital link for the company’s employees and
contractors moving between Airbus factories in Chester, Bristol and Toulouse.

The flights, which will take place on two dedicated, 49-seat Embraer E145 regional jets, will be operated by Glasgow-based Loganair. The aircraft will operate 28 sectors from Monday to
Thursday inclusive every week for the duration of the three-year contract.

The announcement follows Air Partner’s recent appointment by Aurigny, the flag carrier airline of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, to manage its operations control centre in Alderney, and
is in line with the group’s strategy to grow its Managed Services proposition.

GKN Aerospace manufactures first wing components for Airbus’ “Wing of Tomorrow” programme

GKN Aerospace has manufactured the first demonstrator wing components for Airbus’ ”Wing of tomorrow” research programme. The parts are samples of a section of the wing spar. GKN Aerospace’s wing technology will significantly improve the productivity of the composite manufacturing process. The use of composite components can result in up to 20% weight savings on large commercial aircraft.

GKN Aerospace uses its long term experience and in-depth knowledge of wing trailing edges and
advanced composite technology to accelerate the development of new composite assembly automation technologies for wing primary structures.

For Airbus the company manufactures the A380’s fixed trailing edge and the wing leading edges for A380, A330 and A400M. For the A350 XWB GKN Aerospace developed and now supplies the 27m long rear wing spar and the inboard and outboard flaps (including skins, spars, ribs and leading edges).

BOM_DY_2019-06-17

Airbus engineers develop scale-model aeroplane with first in-flight, flapping wing-tips

Airbus engineers have developed a scale-model aeroplane with the first in-flight, flapping wing-tips that could revolutionise aircraft wing-design.

Airbus has drawn on nature to develop its ‘semi-aeroelastic hinge’ concept to reduce drag and overall wing weight, while combating the effects of turbulence and wind gusts.

Known as AlbatrossOne, the remote-controlled aircraft has already taken its first flights to prove the concept and the team will now conduct further testing before the demonstrator, based on the
manufacturer’s A321 plane, is scaled-up further.

“While hinged wing-tips are not new – military jets employ them to allow greater storage capacity on aircraft carriers – the Airbus demonstrator is the first aircraft to trial in-flight, freely-flapping
wing-tips to relieve the effects of wind gusts and turbulence,” explained Airbus engineer Tom Wilson, based in Filton, north Bristol, UK.

“We drew inspiration from nature – the albatross marine bird locks its wings at the shoulder for long-distance soaring but unlocks them when wind-gusts occur or manoeuvering is required.

“The AlbatrossOne model will explore the benefits of unlockable, freely-flapping wing-tips – accounting for a up to a third of the length of the wing – to react autonomously during in-flight turbulence and lessen the load on the wing at its base, so reducing the need for heavily reinforced wing boxes.”

Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus’ Executive Vice-President of Engineering, said the project showed “how nature can inspire us”. He said: “When there is a wind gust or turbulence, the wing of a conventional aircraft transmits huge loads to the fuselage, so the base of the wing must be
heavily strengthened, adding weight to the aircraft.

“Allowing the wing-tips to react and flex to gusts reduces the loads and allows us to make lighter and longer wings – the longer the wing, the less drag it creates up to an optimum, so there are potentially more fuel efficiencies to exploit.”

The first test flights of the AlbatrossOne demonstrator, developed by Airbus engineers in Filton, were concluded in February after a 20-month development programme. Speaking in Toulouse, Dumont said AlbatrossOne was the “first Filton aircraft since Concorde”.

It has been constructed from carbonfibre and glassfibre-reinforced polymers, as well as components from additive-layer manufacturing.

Initial testing of AlbatrossOne has examined the demonstrator’s stability with the wing-tips locked and completely unlocked, says fellow Filton engineer James Kirk.

Pattonair signs contract renewal and expansion with Rolls-Royce

Global aerospace and defence supply chain provider, Pattonair, has announced the renewal and expansion of its Logistics and Parts supply agreement with Rolls-Royce until 2030.

Pattonair has been the strategic integrator for Rolls-Royce since the late 1990s supporting its total supply chain including production sub-tier and aftermarket requirements across the globe. This latest development sees that relationship expand and extend through until the end of 2030 and is a reflection of the world class service together with innovative supply chain solutions that Pattonair is able to deliver.

Wayne Hollinshead Chief Executive of Pattonair, said, “Renewing our contract with Rolls-Royce is a great endorsement of our team’s commitment to deliver consistent world class performance to our customer and cements our position as the market leader of supply chain solutions to the aerospace sector”.

Pattonair serves over 2000 customers spanning engine systems and airframes through its global
footprint of dedicated facilities.

NL 694 cover

click here to download the latest PDF edition

AviTrader_Monthly_MRO_e-Magazine_Cover_2019-05

click here to download the latest PDF edition

click here to subscribe to our other free publications

AIRCRAFT & ENGINE MARKETPLACE

click here to view in PDF aircraft and engines available for sale and lease

UPCOMING EVENTS



Paris Air Show 2019
June 17 - 23, 2019 – Le Bourget, Paris, France


Advanced Engineering 2019
October 30 - 31, 2019 – NEC, Birmingham, UK