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Thursday, September 26th, 2019
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Boeing and Air New Zealand have finalized an order for eight 787-10 Dreamliner airplanes valued at US$2.7 billion at list prices. The carrier, recognized for its long-range flights and global network, will integrate the largest Dreamliner model into its fleet of 787-9 and 777 airplanes from 2022 to strategically grow its business.
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The airplane deal, announced in May as a commitment, includes options to increase the number of aircraft from eight up to 20, and substitution rights that allow a switch from the larger 787-10 to smaller 787-9s, or a combination of the two models for future fleet and network flexibility.
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Air New Zealand was a global launch customer for the 787-9 and today operates 13 of the Dreamliner variants. With another 787-9 on the way and the 787-10 airplanes in the future, the airline's Dreamliner fleet is on track to grow to 22. The new Dreamliner aircraft will replace Air New Zealand's fleet of eight 777-200ERs. Air New Zealand's widebody fleet also includes seven 777-300ERs.
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Etihad Airways has announced that it is delaying the entry into service of five Airbus A350-1000 jets as part of a cost-cutting measure following three consecutive years of losses, including a massive US$1.28 billion loss last year.
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The move comes as a result of a five-year expansion strategy begun in 2016 in an attempt to compete with rival Gulf carriers such as Emirates. Not only has the plan proved unsuccessful, but it has also put the Gulf carrier under undue financial pressure. “Etihad Airways will re-time the entry into service of five new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft as part of its ongoing business transformation plan,” said an airline spokesman. Of the aircraft ordered in 2016 as part of the original expansion strategy, Etihad has subsequently cancelled 40 A350-900s and two A350-1000. The five it has committed to taking delivery of are from an existing order for 20 of the model.
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Speculation was rife ten days ago when a second A350-1000 ended up being mothballed in Toulouse instead of flying to Abu Dhabi after it left the paint shop in Hamburg, Germany.
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Safran Nacelles has signed a NacelleLife™ support contract with All Nippon Airways covering the carrier's three Airbus A380 aircraft.
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This 10-year agreement will allow All Nippon Airways (ANA) to benefit from OEM-guaranteed maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions based on in-service experience at Safran Nacelles repair stations. The airline will also have access to Safran Nacelles' shared pool of spare parts and components, as well as the positioning of a spare nacelle air inlet at Honolulu. Providing the spare air inlet ensures on-site availability at ANA's destination in the mid-Pacific Ocean.
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ANA is Japan's largest airline and the latest A380 operator, receiving its first two of three aircraft earlier this year for use on the popular route between Tokyo and Honolulu in the U.S. Hawaiian
Islands.
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S7 Technics has added the installation of Wi-Fi modules to its capability menu of aircraft services.
The maintenance provider has entered a new developing market to meet the growing needs of airlines in upgrading their aircraft with internet access.
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In the course of preparation for the first project that was launched with one of its strategic
customers last year, specialists from Moscow‘s S7 Technics Domodedovo airport base visited the Czech Republic facilities of JOB AIR Technic, which has extensive expertise in such modifications.
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Having learned from the experience of their Czech counterparts, S7 Technics specialists, together
with a project developer organization, have installed Wi-Fi modules on several narrow-body aircraft in Aeroflot’s fleet.
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The retrofitting is divided into two stages: firstly, modules for distributing information from the
on-board server and all necessary wiring are installed, then, secondly, the aircraft are equipped with external internet communication modules to connect to passengers' personal devices.
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From March of last year until September 2019, 34 Airbus A320s have undergone the first stage of
retrofitting and S7 Technics specialists are now planning to carry out the second retrofitting stage on 26 Aeroflot aircraft during 2020.
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Airbus Helicopters has reached new heights: the latest version of the H145 has set its skids down on the Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere, culminating at 6,962 meters (22,840 feet). This is the first time a twin-engine helicopter has landed at this altitude, confirming the performance and the extensive flight envelope of the new H145. The conditions for this mission were extreme, due to the atmospheric conditions in the area and the winter season.
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The aircraft took off from Mendoza, Argentina, flew 30 minutes to the foot of the Aconcagua where it began its ascension. After 15 minutes of climbing, the helicopter landed at 1.45 pm on the summit, at a temperature of -22ºC.
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“We had to stay focused on the mission due to severe winds with gusts up to 30 knots and the low air density. The handling qualities of the new H145 are excellent and combined with Helionix and its 4 axis-autopilot, we reached the summit safely,” said Alexander Neuhaus, experimental test pilot at Airbus Helicopters. “The aircraft performed outstandingly. We flew over the summit of the Aconcagua and still had power reserves that would have allowed us take two people on-board.”
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The flight test was supported by the Fuerza Aerea Argentina, who provided aerial support with their Lama helicopters; Patrulla de Rescate de Alta Montaña de Policia de Mendoza, who assisted with a
contingency plan; Parque Provincial Aconcagua, facilitating operations and logistics, and Helicopters AR, a local operator with over 15 years of experience flying in the Aconcagua area with their Airbus H125 helicopter.
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Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) North America has opened a new government relations and marketing office in Washington, DC near the US Capitol. The facility significantly expands the company’s presence in Washington, DC and creates a new space to highlight the company’s innovative technologies.
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Swami Iyer, CEO of IAI North America said, “IAI North America is executing a strategic growth plan that includes M&A and organic growth in line with IAI's growth strategy and will necessitate an expanded US manufacturing footprint in the world largest defense market. The Washington
office will showcase the innovative technology developed, often in partnership with the US defense community and US Government, to advance the security of like-minded nations.”
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IAI North America will also be opening a new headquarters facility in Herndon, VA by then end of 2019.
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Vistara, India’s full-service carrier and a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has signed a long-term contract to partner with Airbus for their Flight Hour Services - Tailored Support Package (FHS-TSP). The contract will cover engineering and maintenance for 62 aircraft, including 23 existing ones.
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The FHS-TSP contract provides integrated and guaranteed services ranging from the supply and repair of components to the manufacturer’s unique Fleet Technical Management service. An on-site Airbus team will support the daily maintenance activities, including spares, warehousing and engineering to ensure the highest standards of aircraft technical dispatch and operations.
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Under the agreement, Airbus will offer its expertise in the areas of maintenance, engineering, reliability and supply chain management. Airbus will ensure a) timely availability of spare parts b) maintenance planning c) compliance with airworthiness advisories as well as technical records on all aircraft.
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At MRO Asia-Pasific in Singapore, FLYdocs has announced the next generation of aircraft leasing and financial management with its cloud-based Asset Management Platform.
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Originally launched at MRO Americas earlier this year, the FLYdocs Asset Management Platform is the first software platform to accurately predict the cost and interval of engine shop visits considering the geographical region of operation, FH:FC ratio, 1st Run or Mature Run, and % Derate if applicable.
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By using this platform, asset managers no longer need to adopt multiple software systems to manage their assets, contracts and EoL projects. FLYdocs offers a single platform which is integrated with its market-leading Aircraft Records Management, offering operators and lessors more clarity into their finances, helping them save time and get ahead with streamlining operations and driving business value.
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The FLYdocs team returned to MRO Asia-Pacific in Singapore to unveil the significant additions in software functionality and performance, which will provide operators and lessors with greater flexibility and control of their finances.
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Robinson Helicopter Company announced that the R66 Turbine fleet has surpassed 1,000,000 flight hours. The R66 with the Rolls-Royce RR300 turbine engine achieved the million-hour mark without a single reported in-flight engine failure. This accomplishment demonstrates a level of reliability that exceeds EASA’s stringent requirements for single-engine helicopters performing commercial operations.
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Certified in October 2010, the first production R66 was delivered the following month. Since
then, over 960 R66s have been produced, providing dependable performance to operators all over the world. Not only has the R66 proven itself on a daily basis but it has also risen to the unique challenges of flying to the North Pole and circumnavigating the globe multiple times.
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StandardAero Component Services has officially opened the company’s 30,000 ft² expansion of its Hillsboro, Ohio, engine component manufacturing and engine component repair facility.
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The additional working space and capital improvements included the building and additional equipment to support aerospace engine low pressure turbine vane manufacturing. The expansion also provides additional space for further growth.
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Kerry O’Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of StandardAero, and Rick Stine, President of StandardAero Components, Helicopters & Accessories, joined Mark Greene, Vice President & General Manager of the company’s Hillsboro facility, his leadership team and employees to dedicate the new expansion on September 20th.
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The Hillsboro location expansion completes StandardAero’s current plans for new building and expansion investments, which have also occurred at its Cincinnati, Miami and Kansas City locations over the last 18 months.
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AIRCRAFT & ENGINE MARKETPLACE
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UPCOMING EVENTS
MRO Europe
October 15 - 17, 2019 – ExCel London, London, UK
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