Author: neilw

Transavia has extended their long-term Boeing Next-Generation 737 Rotable Components Maintenance and Pooling Services agreement, dedicated to its Amsterdam-based fleet with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. The agreement comes under the Component Services Program (CSP) jointly operated by AFI KLM E&M and Boeing as the optimum response to the specific requirements of Next-Generation 737 aircraft fleets. The contract covers component maintenance and flexible availability solutions, including the management of components (part numbers) under a flight hour rate. All Transavia fleets are supported by AFI KLM E&M under the Boeing 737 CSP program.

“The decision to extend the contract was fairly simple considering AFI KLM E&M’s adaptability to Transavia’s requirements and good partnership,” said Arnold Boot, director Purchasing and Logistics of Transavia. “AFI KLM E&M proved over the past years to be a very reliable partner enabling us to meet our operational targets by delivering an excellent performance. Its flexibility in combination with lowering our maintenance cost for the coming years was the basis for our decision. We are looking forward to continue our good partnership relation with AFI KLM E&M in order to optimize the operational performance of our growing Next-Generation 737 fleet.”

In 2015, Boeing and AFI KLM E&M renewed their unique component maintenance program for 737 fleets. The partnership has also been extended to cover the 737 MAX, a latest-generation aircraft scheduled for entry into service in 2017. “This program is one of the key strengths in our Component Support offering,” says Fabrice Defrance, SVP Commercial at AFI KLM E&M. “Launched in 2005 with around 50 aircraft, it currently supports 500 and should reach 600 in 2017 due to the growth of existing contracts. AFI KLM E&M and Boeing have committed to this program long-term, with its proven benefits for client fleets.”

DART’s new Approved Maintenance Center network will make its official debut at Heli-Expo 2016. DART will showcase its success stories on landing gear, emergency flotation equipment and repair and overhaul services. The company says it is reinforcing their dedication to innovation, technology and efficiency.

DART’s will reveal new cutting-edge products such as Heavy Duty Heli-Access-Steps, High Capacity Cargo Net and the Quick Release Maintenance Steps all for the AW139 helicopter.

DART says it will continue to prove its industry leadership for lightweight flotation equipment with increased accessibility and deployment speed that can help to saves lives when seconds count. The company encourages visits to see how to benefit from up to 130 lbs weight reduction on the AW139 and maximize loading operations with over 30 percent of extra cargo capacity. Also learn how about reducing the maintenance burden on AW139 emergency float systems with up to 50 percent less inspections.

Co-Operative Industries Aerospace & Defense has joined The Better Buildings, Better Plants Program (Better Plants Program). As a participant, CIA&D will be taking part in an initiative in which the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) works with industry partners in the pursuit of a common goal—to promote greater energy efficiency.  By partnering with DOE as a Lockheed Martin supply chain cohort, CIA&D will be doing its part to advance energy savings throughout the manufacturing supply chains.

“CIA&D’s commitment to reducing its energy intensity by 25 percent over 10 years establishes the company as a leader in energy efficiency and helps advance the nation’s progress toward a sustainable, clean-energy future,” said Mark Johnson, director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Better Buildings, Better Plants Program is a national partnership initiative to drive significant improvement in energy efficiency across U.S. industry. Through Better Plants, manufacturers set ambitious energy savings goals, develop energy management plans, and track and report their annual progress. Almost 160 companies and industrial organizations are leading the way on energy efficiency by participating in Better Plants and have collectively saved about 457 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) and almost $2.4 billion in cumulative energy costs as of October 2015.

The goal of these energy-efficient manufacturing practices that CIA&D and its fellow Better Plants Program partners implement is to save in energy costs, help create good jobs in fields such as construction and engineering, strengthen competitiveness, and promote greater energy security in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

CIA&D is an AS9100 registered company based in Fort Worth, Texas.  The company develops and manufactures electrical wiring interconnects, ignition leads, and flexible conduits for airframe, engine, and ground support equipment for a number of prime contractors. In addition to manufacturing capabilities, Co-Operative Industries also provides Part 145 repair services such as check & test, overhaul and repair, and S/B incorporation for many of the commercial aircraft wiring harnesses in service today (FAA No.: OI0R891N, EASA: EASA.145.5897, CAAC No.: F00100406).

For additional information on Co-Operative Industries Aerospace & Defense or the services offered, please contact:

Co-Operative Industries Aerospace & Defense
1401 South Cherry Lane
Fort Worth, TX 76108

Phone: 817-740-4700
Fax: 817-624-4282
Email: Defense@coopind.com
Web: http://www.coopdefense.com

Elliott Aviation announced the completion of their first Challenger 300 96-month inspection. The major inspection was delivered squawk free and on time on a 2007 Challenger 300, Elliott says.

The inspection was led by Service Team Lead Greg Feuerbach, who had 15 years of experience at Bombardier Tucson. The work scope included a 12, 24, 48 and 96 month inspection and associated supplemental maintenance tasks, 3200 hour inspection, 450 landing inspection, landing gear R&R for overhaul, thrust reverser R&R for service bulletin rework and several Bombardier service bulletins. The entire work scope was completed in 29 working days.

“Our Challenger team did a fantastic job delivering on their commitments,” said Ed Chevrestt, VP of Operations at Elliott Aviation. “With Greg’s leadership, we were able to make this process smooth for not only our customer, but for our team in Moline as well.”

JDA Aviation Technology Solutions recently announced its SAS Pro program designed to provide assistance and expertise to help Part 121, 135 and 145 certificate holders and new certificate applicants meet the requirements of the FAA’s new Safety Assurance System (SAS) oversight system.

“For Part 121 operators that were familiar with the Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS), SAS is similar in some respects SAS takes a data-supported/risk-based approach for both initial certification as well as operator surveillance and certificate management. For Part 135 and 145 certificate holders compliance is a whole new ball game,” said Joe Del Balzo, JDA president/CEO.

All Part 121, 135 and 145 existing certificated organizations are now monitored, and evaluated by their Flight Standards Office (FSDO) under SAS with the goal to proactively identify hazards and analyze, assess, and take action with perceived safety risks.

JDA says working with and adjusting to SAS can be both daunting in its complexity and intricate in its application. For 135 and 145 certificate holders it may require revisions to their existing manual system and letter of compliance.

JDA says their experts have expertise in SAS, the Data Collection Tools (DCTs) and methodology. “Our associates are also internationally recognized Safety Management System (SMS) specialists who can align your SMS with the SAS tools and methods,” Del Balzo noted.

BizJet International delivered a BBJ after installing the Aviation Partners’ Split Scimitar winglet modification. The mod was completed in just three and a half weeks according to the company.

“Our team delivered this product a week ahead of schedule,” said Roy Lischinsky,BizJet’s vice president of Operations. “BizJet was selected to perform this work package because of the customer’s confidence in our ability to accomplish the work faster than quoted.”

The Split Scimitar Winglet completely redefines the aerodynamics of the existing Blended Winglet, Bizjet says. The retrofit provides a drag reduction, and corresponding range increase, of two percent or more for long range BBJ operators. This was the sixth modification to be installed on a BBJ, and the first by BizJet.

Beginnging May 1, SUN-AIR of Scandinavia A/S will open SUN-AIR Technic on the international scene for maintenance, repair and overhaul with a “one-stop” concept. The one-stop facility concept secures both logistic and downtime benefits, since all central processes are completed in-house.

SUN-AIR Technic says they will cover a widely spread customer segment with a high level of specialization on several types of aircraft, engines and technical installations and modifications. These will be well known brands and companies within commercial, corporate and general aviation.

SUN-AIR Technic continues the line of business on maintenance and expertise on aircraft in each facility as usual. In the future the customers shall experience extended flexibility, capacity and know-how as the facilities will be coordinated, supplied and managed centrally, a company press release states.

SUN-AIR Technic maintains and services aircraft from the following manufacturers: Dornier, Hawker, Beechcraft, Cessna, BAE Jetstream, Piaggio, Cirrus, Piper and Mitsubishi.

The company says that through the years they have acquired a number of maintenance facilities, each with their area of expertise on aircraft, engines, spare parts and components. Until the turn of the year the maintenance facilities have been managed independently, but are now consolidated in the new SUN-AIR Technic structure including the significant sale of parts, which until now had been a section of SUN-AIR.

Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the Gulfstream G600 iron bird recently completed its first flight. A spatially correct, dimensionally accurate structure that includes a flight deck, the iron bird allows engineers to test the flight control and mechanical systems, including landing gear, brakes and hydraulics in a ground-based lab.

During the 30-minute flight, the G600 iron bird simulated taxi, takeoff and landing as well as maneuvers and transitions at altitude and airspeed.

“This first flight sets in motion the testing and validation required for the G600’s actual first flight,” said Dan Nale, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “With the iron bird, we can confirm the characteristics of the system components, improve the integration maturity, make modifications and provide those benefits in a lab environment, all while on the ground and still in the design stage to the benefit of the flight-test aircraft. Having this resource enhances safety and streamlines the testing process.”

The G600 will be capable of traveling 6,200 nautical miles/11,482 kilometers at Mach 0.85 or 4,800 nm/8,890 km at Mach 0.90. Its maximum operating speed is Mach 0.925, the same speed as Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER.

The aircraft features the all-new Symmetry Flight Deck, with active control sidesticks, integrated touchscreen controllers, a next-generation enhanced vision system and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.

Similar to the G650 and G650ER, the G600 offers a full three-axis digital fly-by-wire system with benefits that include flight-envelope protection, stability augmentation, increased redundancy and reduced maintenance.

The first G600 flight-test aircraft and structural test article are in production. The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2019.

West Star has reconfigured a Falcon 2000 to a unique 13-passenger configuration. The Falcon 2000 is normally configured for eight or 10 passengers.

The reconfiguration required fabricating a new, reduced size RH galley and LH aux galley/entertainment center, shifting the forward cabin bulkhead/door forward, and extending all the side ledges and window panels. The aft cabin bulkhead was also modified to offset the new door location resulting from the new conference group

Additionally structural modifications were required below and above the cabin floor to accommodate the new loading. Engineering support was provided by West Star’s in-house engineering group and on-staff DER. Final certification for the reconfiguration was completed via an FAA Form 337.

The final touch was all new veneers, soft goods, countertops, plating, and switch panels for the new seating configuration.

“This is the first time we have completed a Falcon 2000 in this increased capacity configuration stated James McCann, Interior manager. The OEM may have delivered one in the 13-passenger capacity but it is a unique configuration.”