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LATEST NEWS
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Tuesday, April 26th, 2022
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Boeing and Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) have announced the official opening of the first China-based Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) line, located in Guangzhou. In addition, on-site door cutting of the first aircraft has begun, marking a significant milestone in the conversion process. This is also the first of two 767-300BCF passenger-to-freighter conversion programmes GAMECO intends to have operational by year end in China. On top of the site’s three existing 737-800BCF lines, this makes it the very first MRO to convert both the 767-300BCF and the 737-800BCF.
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“Broadening our relationship with GAMECO to include the 767-300BCF strengthens our ability to meet the needs of our customers and continue supporting growth in the region,” said Peter Gao, Vice President, Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing for China. “GAMECO has proven its technical expertise and commitment to excellence through its work on the 737-800BCF programme and we have no doubt that will continue with the introduction of our medium wide-body BCF.”
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The 767-300BCF enables carriers to develop long-haul, regional and feeder markets. Also having over 100 orders and commitments. Boeing has forecast a need for 1,720 freighter conversions over the next 20 years. Asia-Pacific-based airlines will require 505 large and medium wide-body freighters, both production and conversions, through year 2040, based on the 2021 Boeing Commercial Market Outlook.
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The Recaro Aircraft Seating CL3710 seat has entered into service on March 31, 2022, when Etihad Airways’ new A350-1000 aircraft took its maiden flight. Ideal for long-haul routes, the best-selling Recaro CL3710 economy-class seat sets itself apart from competitors in regard to comfort and design.
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The CL3710 seat features a 13.3” high-definition screen with integrated USB charging ports and a personal electronic device (PED) holder. Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrest has been incorporated into the economy-class seat, which perfectly adapts to passengers of different heights and statures while maintaining optimal neck support. In addition, the lightweight seat design underlines the sustainable values of both Recaro and Etihad by reducing fuel burn, which results in lower inflight carbon emissions.
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Lufthansa Technik has enhanced its AVIATAR digital platform with various new digital fleet management applications for the Boeing 737 NG (Next Generation), which are now made available to 737 operators around the world. The new condition monitoring and prediction offerings were co-created with United Airlines, which partnered with Lufthansa Technik starting in early 2021 on the 737 NG and Airbus A320 family to jointly develop unique predictive maintenance solutions by combining world class engineering know-how and industry leading data science teams.
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By integrating the Boeing 737 NG into AVIATARs condition monitoring troubleshooting solution, United Airlines and all other customers can now manage technical operations for their Airbus and Boeing aircraft side-by-side on a single screen. In addition, they can now benefit from a growing number of predictive maintenance use cases developed for the Boeing 737 NG that help to avoid unplanned maintenance events or AOGs (aircraft on ground). AVIATAR now also offers integration with United's M&E (Maintenance & Engineering) system logbook and embeds OEM documentation linking features for the 737 NG amongst other new features.
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Launched in 2017, AVIATAR is the independent platform for digital products and services developed by Lufthansa Technik. The platform offers its users digital solutions ranging from predictive maintenance to automated fulfilment solutions. AVIATAR combines fleet management solutions, data science and engineering expertise to provide a comprehensive range of integrated digital services and products for airlines, MRO companies, OEMs and lessors that seamlessly integrate with physical fulfilment in TechOps and beyond.
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StandardAero has been selected by HOP!, the regional arm of Air France, to provide MRO services for the Pratt & Whitney Canada APS 2300 auxiliary power units (APUs) equipping the airline’s fleet of Embraer E170 and E190 regional jets.
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Under the exclusive multi-year agreement, StandardAero will provide MRO services for HOP!’s APS 2300 APUs from its Tennessee, TN location, which is an OEM-approved Authorized Repair Facility (ARF) for the APS 2300. This new contract expands StandardAero’s long-standing support of HOP!, the company having previously provided MRO services for several different engine types operated by the French carrier, including the GE Aviation CF34-8.
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CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. (CDB Leasing), has taken delivery of the first freighter aircraft in the lessor’s history, an A330-300 passenger-to-freighter (A330 P2F).
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The aircraft was converted by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) and is the first of two A330 P2Fs leased to the lessor’s launch customer, Mexico-based cargo carrier, mas. The carrier is expected to take delivery of the second aircraft in May.
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“This is an important and historic day for CDB Aviation as we see the fruit of two years of intense work and collaboration, culminating in the delivery of our very first A330 P2F since we made the strategic entry into freighter aircraft leasing,” asserted Patrick Hannigan, CDB Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful to the mas team for trusting CDB Aviation to be a partner in supporting their innovative fleet strategy and for being our very first A330P2F customer.”
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Chapman Freeborn, the global air charter specialist and part of Avia Solutions Group, has appointed Vaida Kojaliene as Group Chief Financial Officer.
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Kojaliene joins Chapman Freeborn with a wealth of experience in various financial positions at country, regional and group level. Her previous roles were within the financial and healthcare sectors and Chapman Freeborn is her first introduction to the aviation industry.
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As Group Chief Financial Officer, her key focus is on ensuring an efficient finance structure and processes within the business, addressing strategic and day-to-day business needs.
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IFS, the global cloud enterprise applications company, has released that Southwest Airlines has deployed IFS as its enterprise maintenance management standard to optimise operational performance by safeguarding aircraft reliability and availability. IFS is now live across the airline’s total fleet of almost 730 aircraft including the Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8.
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Southwest, the U.S.’ largest domestic carrier by enplanements, servicing over 100 destinations, has undertaken an initiative to replace multiple legacy maintenance and compliance systems to harmonise mission critical processes into a single solution. This solution allows Southwest to stay true and focused on its principles of quality and compliance, while further modernising its processes.
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Now live, the IFS solution provides Southwest maintenance personnel the information they need to streamline configuration control and compliance management processes. The additional insights delivered by IFS are helping drive efficiencies through the transformation and automation of processes enabled with a mobile user experience. As part of its MRO digital transformation, Southwest conducted an end-to-end review and refinement of its processes to identify a greater optimisation of its technical operations as well as promote a more digital way of working and moving away from paper. The digitisation of processes is also positively impacting compliance by providing real-time validation at the point of maintenance.
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Southwest becomes the latest airline to deploy IFS, alongside other industry leaders that include Air France-KLM Group, China Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Qantas, and more.
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GA Telesis' MRO Services Composite Group has completed development of its capabilities to support CFM LEAP engine nacelle components. In April, MRO Services carried out repairs and delivered its first two inlet cowls to a U.S.-based LEAP operator. This is a new milestone in GAT's evolution to become a fully integrated business partner with its airline customers.
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Nacelle repairs and overhauls are conducted at the Composite FAA/EASA/CAAC approved repair station near Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. GA Telesis MRO Services' skilled team of technicians lead the industry with expertise on nacelles, radomes, and flight controls. The team worked for two years during the pandemic without disruption to keep its airline customers up and running.
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The aerostructures operation specialises in overhauling and repairing composites and large metallic structures. This new capability enhances MRO Services' capabilities, covering engine nacelles for LEAP engines in addition to its vast existing capabilities for other nacelles systems and flight control structures on most modern aircraft types. Additionally, the company has significant capabilities to repair and overhaul crew seats for a growing number of commercial aircraft platforms.
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Aero Norway, the independent engine MRO provider and trusted partner for customers operating CFM56-3, CFM56-5B and 7B engines, is focusing its energies on a dedicated strategy that will see stability and investment deliver tangible customer benefits. The plan is underpinned by a rigorous evaluation of processes and procedures, covering all areas of the business from the development of its team to the augmentation of its industry-renowned capabilities.
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CEO, Glenford Marston, put extensive measures in place during 2020/21 to ensure that the engine MRO specialist was well placed to flex with prevailing market forces and able to sustain its commitment to fast turn-around times. “To maintain a premium service for our customers - MROs, independent engine owners and leasing companies - we took steps to underpin the business in three ways: financial support to deliver working capital; sourcing of repair partners
to complement our flexibility of work-scope and the development of highly trained engineers to ensure continuity of skill sets,” comments Marston. “Investment in our people and processes is ultimately an investment in our future.”
“In the current environment, many customers do not want to pay for a full performance restoration,” explains Marston. “Aero Norway has adapted to provide a wider range of options and we’re very capable of completing ‘surgical strikes’ and can improve EGT margin without the need to complete a core performance restoration. If an operator wants to fly out the remaining LLP life but needs to improve EGT margins then they know they can contact us with confidence.”
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Aero Norway has an active trading programme including the buying and selling of used material and the teardown of engines for parts. “The volume of material for the CFM56-3 engine has fallen over the past five years,” explains Marston. “Yet in 2021 Aero Norway completed work-scopes on over forty CFM56-3 engines. Pre-pandemic it was believed that the number of CFM56-3 engines passing through our facility would decline as the impetus moved towards the CFM56-5B/-7B series. However, a significant uptick in utilisation rates by many 737 CL freighter operators translated to an urgent requirement for the completion of several maintenance tasks on the legacy engine type.
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Marston goes on to say that Aero Norway’s focus on CFM56-5B/-7B engines is only partially driven by the high number of upcoming A321 and 737-800 P2F conversions. The effect of the 737MAX delay has also meant that many -5B/7B engines have remained on-wing for a longer than planned and these will soon require a variety of shop visits.
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The CFM56-5B is the engine choice of the global A320 family due to its high reliability and durability, and the CFM56-7B is exclusively powering the B737 NG – making it the most popular engine combination in commercial aviation. To support its activities, the company has made significant investments in upgrades to its equipment with the addition of high-speed grinding and plasma spraying machines.
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In addition to investments in operations, Aero Norway is looking to augment its -5/-7 customer portfolio whilst maintaining its three-customer base and increasing its competitive edge. The company’s plans for 2022 also incorporate its continued commitment to lean excellence, as well as implementation of a path toward digitalisation and expansion of internal repair capabilities. Marston confirms that the company will begin its introduction to phase one of its scheduled LEAP 1A/1B capabilities in Q4, 2023.
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Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL) has agreed a partnership with Liverpool John Lennon Airport and its internal air navigation services provider, Air Traffic Control Services Limited (ATCSL), which will see ANSL implement Radar in The Tower (RiTT) operations at the Airport.
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The work led by ANSL involves a technical assessment of the existing air traffic management equipment, development of operational procedures, and creation of a training plan and materials. ANSL will also support the engagement with the Civil Aviation Authority on behalf of ATCSL and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. These services will be complemented by a human factors review carried out by ANSL’s Human Factors Specialist, Lucy Kirkland.
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RiTT, when implemented, will enable the Airport to combine the provision of the ‘approach’ and ‘tower’ services from one controller working position at times of low demand or in low complexity traffic scenarios. This reduces the need for additional air traffic control officers (ATCOs) during these periods, enabling support of other critical activities in the air traffic control unit.
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The combined service delivery also provides ATCOs with more optimal levels of air traffic handling during periods of low demand, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ANSL has operated RiTT at Edinburgh Airport for several years and adapted and flexed its use during the pandemic to ensure optimal air traffic management service delivery.
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Kellstrom Aerospace, a global commercial aftermarket OEM Distribution leader providing a comprehensive range of aircraft lifecycle solutions, has been appointed as worldwide aviation commercial aftermarket distributor of Amglo Kemlite Laboratories for commercial aerospace lighting products.
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This commercial aftermarket partnership will allow Kellstrom Aerospace to support the material requirements of international airlines and MRO customers with factory new Amglo Kemlite quartz halogen landing and taxi lights. These lights are Boeing IPC approved for many Boeing aircraft models and meet the corresponding ANSI Specs for many additional aircraft manufacturer applications; moreover, FAA-PMA approval has been granted on most other major aircraft types. Amglo Kemlite quartz halogen landing and taxi lights continue to shine as the halogen lamp remains the most cost-effective solution and where halogen lamps have an installed base of 80-90% of in-service aircraft. Additionally, Kellstrom and Amglo Kemlite will partner in support of customer LED retrofit programmes.
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