Author: neilw

Jet-Care has launched three new trend programs as part of its Gas Path Analysis (GPA) engine portfolio.
The new programs, for the Rolls-Royce BR700-710C4, BR700-725A1, Tay 611-8, AE3007A and AE3007C series of engines, have been developed by the Jet-Care Aeronautical Engineering Team, using the same robust in house engine modeling processes used across its already extensive engine portfolio, according to the company. Jet-Care says its programs are renowned for their sensitivity and ability to identify engine problems and deterioration, ahead of other less responsive trend programs available in the marketplace.
“These new additions to our already extensive range of Jet-Care GPA engine trend programs allow operators of single or mixed engine types to trend their entire fleet with one quality provider” said David Glass, CEO of Jet- Care. “We feel very strongly about providing full support to an operator and always look at any potential engine issues from an operational perspective. We do not expect an operator to work on a ‘no news is good news’ basis or to work it out for themselves as is the case with so many of the other commercially available trend programs.”

Advantage Aviation Technologies (AAT) announced the integration of lean and six sigma Process and Quality Management practices into their  full service fabrication and repair facility.

“The lean and six sigma system is critical for any company doing business in today’s manufacturing climate. This is especially true in the highly technical, quality and time sensitive aviation industry environment,” stated Dennis Moore, president, AAT. “Lean provides important visibility which optimizes staff and manufacturing efficiencies which ultimately improves our client’s satisfaction.”

AAT implemented the lean protocols beginning in January 2015. To date, facility workflow, customer communications and AAT workforce have implemented lean into each step of the manufacturing process. Relying on customer response, data research, workforce feedback and efficiencies reporting, AAT has realized an increase in production, with exceptional quality and internal communications.

“We are growing,” states Moore. “The lean process is an ongoing and comprehensive commitment that never stops continuous improvement and provides the foundation to maintain high quality production as we continue to increase our book of work.”

Kitchener Aero Avionics announced the completion of their first Garmin G-1000 avionics retrofit on a King Air B200. With this completion they join the ranks of a small handful of shops worldwide that have performed this upgrade.

When Garmin first announced the G1000 STC for King Air operators, they noted that customers who upgrade to this panel have the same leading edge technologies they would find in a jet, while also enjoying the utility and affordability of their King Air. The G1000 suite integrates all primary flight information, navigation data, communications, terrain awareness, traffic, weather, and engine instruments on a large 15-inch multi-function display (MFD) and two 10.4-inch primary flight displays (PFD).

“One of the things that makes this mod unique from other G-1000 King Air upgrades is that we have installed virtually all of the new options for the KingAir, including GRA-5500 Radar Altimeter, GWX-70 Wx. Radar, and the GRS-7800 Attitude Heading and Reference System (better known as AHRS),” says Barry Aylward, KAAV president. “This is for operations in our Northern Domestic Airspace.” The GRS 7800 enables a free-gyro mode for King Air aircraft, greatly expanding the authorized area of operation. With this option King Air operators increase their global operational capabilities and have access to more remote locations.

Aylward also notes, “Outside of the existing G-1000 STC, we had numerous deviations required to accommodate different shelf configurations in both the nose and tail, as well as additional STC Deviations for various Antenna relocations due to a Cargo Pod installation.” All current and future mandates are met including Class A TAWS, TCAS and ADS-B.

The only equipment retained from the aircraft that arrived at the KAAV shop was the CVR, HF Comm, an ADF, and a DME. All the other systems used were centered on the new Garmin G- 1000 with GFC-700 Flight Control.

AAMSI has announced that Retired Rear Admiral Mark Heinrich, U.S. Navy, has joined Associated Aircraft Manufacturing and Sales, Inc. (AAMSI) as president and CEO. AAMSI says Heinrich is a proven leader with a distinguished track record perfectly suited to lead AAMSI as the company expands its specialty products, MRO and services offerings, with integrated materiel and supply management solutions for defense, aerospace, aviation and maritime markets. He brings more than 30 years of experience in operations, logistics, and supply chain management to this important role as AASMI evolves with a new class of offering that tightly integrates manufacturing, repair, sourcing, distribution and logistics services for global customers.

Heinrich joins AAMSI from Alvarez & Marsal, where he was a managing director, co-leading A&M’s public sector practice. In his final assignment in the Navy, he served as the Commander of the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and the 46th Chief of Supply Corps, where he led 25,000 members of the Navy’s global supply chain practice. With extensive background in leading large scale ERP system implementations, integration of new technology, and management of NAVSUP’s seven billion dollar operating budget,

“Going forward, AAMSI is uniquely advancing materiel and supply management enabling customers to solve long standing challenges associated with sourcing complex, critical specialty components and related repair and logistics services,” said Heinrich, president and CEO, AAMSI. “Leveraging deep expertise in specialty products, technical services, manufacturing, and repair, along with the recently acquired DefenseView solution, AAMSI’s mission is to change the face of critical parts, supply and logistics services.”

Jet Aviation Singapore has recently secured aircraft maintenance approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has granted Part 145 maintenance facility approval to Jet Aviation Singapore, expanding the company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities to support Chinese operators of Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft.

For Gulfstream aircraft, the scope of permissible work is to the largest possible checks on the GV (192- months) and GIV (144-months) aircraft. This renders Jet Aviation Singapore one of just two Gulfstream Aerospace Service Centers (GACs) in the world (the other in Savannah, Georgia) to hold this extent of CAAC approval. The authorization also extends to Bombardier Global Express BD700 series up to 20 year inspections and Challenger 604/605 series up to 24 year inspections. In addition, interior services and approved out-sourcing for paint are allowed, making Singapore an attractive location to feed major projects from this significant market.

“I am extremely proud of my team for their collective efforts and dedication towards obtaining this Certificate,” said John Riggir, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Singapore. “This approval marks the start of a new era of Gulfstream support solutions for operators in the region from China and we look forward to working closely with them as we develop synergies with other authorized GACs to provide the highest service levels possible.”

FL Technics has finished a two-year long business development project. During the period of project implementation, the company says it invested almost EUR 6 million ( into high tech maintenance equipment and creating more than 200 new jobs in the company’s MRO centre in Kaunas, Lithuania.

 

Following the successful implementation of the project, the company has significantly optimized its processes, both time- and resource-wise. For instance, the recent procurement of a radio-controlled aircraft tug and a fork lift allowed FL Technics to speed up the relevant processes by at least an hour, as well as reduce the number of workforce engaged in the associated tasks by 6 times, leading to a more productive redistribution of human resources.  Meanwhile, the acquisition of a ground power unit has enabled the company to provide in-house power supply for aircraft on the ramp, and thus eliminated the need to buy respective services from the airport.

 

“During the course of the past two years FL Technics has been actively focusing on the streamlining of its processes, hence the technological focus of the long-term investment. Needless to say, this has also greatly facilitated the on-going gradual implementation of LEAN philosophy,” comments Martynas Grigalavicius, the Head of FL Technics aircraft maintenance base in Kaunas. “After all, despite the fact that the European market already boasts well-established MRO infrastructure, there is still a clear demand for cost-effectiveness and flexible base maintenance solutions. Our ultimate goal is to never cease to improve our ability to deliver exactly that.”

 

The investment has significantly expanded the capabilities of the company’s MRO centre in Kaunas. The centre is capable of serving all major types of modern narrow- and wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 747 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The MRO base has already created jobs for 219 aviation professionals, including aircraft mechanics, engineers and other aviation technical personnel. Having started in August 2013, the project was partially funded from the EU structural funds.

Vector Aerospace has signed a contract with the Department of National Defense (DND) to perform all MRO services for their T-58 engines, effective 30 July 2015.

“We are thrilled to have been re-selected by DND to be their sole T-58 engine MRO provider,” said Paul Cockell, president, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – North America. “We have been a proud supporter of DND for over twenty consecutive years, consistently providing top quality products on time and on budget.”

Vector Aerospace has been a registered overhaul facility for CT-58 and T-58 engines since 1976. Between 1996 and 2003, Vector was instrumental in developing and implementing an upgrade program for 109 DND T-58 engine conversions from the -8F to -100 configurations. Vector also repairs the T700-T6A1 engines for the AW CH-149 Cormorant (AW101) and is currently conducting Assemble Inspection and Test (AIT) for the CT7-8A7 engines for the new Sikorsky CH-148 (H92) Cyclone helicopters in Canada.

CMD Flight Solutions’ recent FAA approval for an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out Approved Model List (AML) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) provides aircraft operators with an expanded certification path. The solution includes the installation of Universal Avionics SBAS-Flight Management System (FMS) and Rockwell Collins TDR-94(D) Mode S Transponders. This comes at an opportune time to allow operators to take advantage of Universal Avionics and Rockwell Collins’ ADS-B Out Incentive Package Program.

The companies recently joined forces to bring an affordable, integrated ADS-B Out solution, allowing operators to add the Rockwell Collins TDR-94(D) Mode S Transponders to their Universal Avionics SBAS-FMS installation. In addition to meeting the ADS-B Out mandate, these operators are also able to provision for Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV), unlike other stand-alone ADS-B Out solutions. Operators should note that this is a limited-time incentive program.

“We are excited to be a part of CMD’s AML STC package that will allow operators an affordable upgrade to ADS-B Out,” said Robert Clare, Universal Avionics director of Sales. “The CMD AML STC, along with the Universal Avionics and Rockwell Collins Incentive Program, provides a relatively low cost solution that allows operators an effortless path to ADS-B Out equipage,” he added. “The Universal Avionics SBAS-FMS also delivers a solution for other NextGen benefits such as LPV, CPDLC and Performance-Based Navigation (PBN).”

“With CMD’s years of dedication and commitment to the industry, we are thrilled to be a part of this NextGen initiative”, said CMD president, Dan Buzz. “We are quite pleased that we’ve come to market with a solution that all dealers can offer to a wider range of owners and operators at a reasonable price, and one that is straightforward to install. CMD is a longtime supporter of Universal Avionics, Rockwell Collins and their respective dealers. The interest and support CMD is receiving from Universal Avionics and their Authorized Dealer Network is tremendous. Watch for our Part 23 STC later this summer and additional approvals covering additional GPS/TDR pairings in the near future,”

Current Universal Avionics legacy FMS operators may be able to keep their Control Display Unit (CDU) and install an SBAS Navigation Computer Unit (NCU) with antenna and Rockwell Collins TDR-94(D) Mode S Transponders for an even more affordable solution. For non-Universal Avionics customers, Universal Avionics is offering an upgrade incentive program throughout 2015 for operators to trade in their legacy FMS or GPS system for a new, SBAS-capable Universal Avionics FMS.

Kontron has made the Kontron Technology India, with offices in Bangalore and Mumbai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group. Kontron acquired full ownership of all shares of the company in India to better serve its established base of more than 120 regional customers. The company hopes to achieve faster response times and a higher quality service offering with this action. The changes to its Indian operations follow the recent expansion of offices in Tokyo and Beijing and are part of Kontron’s comprehensive APAC growth strategy.

Kontron has hired industry veteran, Rajeev Soni, as new general manager of its India operations. Soni brings more than 20 years experience from leadership positions at companies such as Kana, Inc., Aspect Software and Microsoft. He will be responsible to lead Kontron’s India sales, business development, marketing, engineering and services professionals as well as its channel sales partners.

“India represents a significant market opportunity for Kontron from increasing demand in many strategic growth sectors that include defense, industrial automation and transportation. Through our investment and by leveraging Rajeev Soni’s demonstrated leadership experience, our customers will realize the full benefit of our comprehensive and global innovation expertise at a local level,” says Michael Väth, EVP Global Sales & Marketing at Kontron. “As many global OEMs have large development centers in India, Kontron customers will now have easier access to our world-class engineering and support services resulting in shorter design-in cycles and a faster time to market.”

The MOC in Munich has hosted the leading avionics event since 2008, with the latest event being Aviation Electronics Europe in March 2015. Aviation Electronics Europe is comprised of an intensive main two-day conference track, seminars and workshops and a central large exhibition.

Aviation Electronics Europe is the only event for the aviation electronics and avionics community in Europe. Attendees will learn about the latest in SESAR, NextGen and performance based navigation;
what the pilot wants; what the aircraft needs and what the industry must have
- from aircraft to the ground and all communications and technologies in between.

With the global market for commercial avionics equipment set to grow at an annual rate of 4.8 percent through to 2019, the industry has not been this buoyant for some time, setting the scene for some active discussions at Aviation Electronics Europe on the future policies, performances and innovations in the aviation electronics and avionics sector.

Aviation Electronics Europe will discuss topics and issues of the day and demonstrate and showcase new products, developments, technologies and services available on the market, and also key elements of the upgrades and retrofits market.

The Aviation Electronics Europe 2016 Organizing Committee is inviting abstracts for consideration for inclusion in the conference.

If you are interested, submit your abstract for consideration by the conference committee. Your presentation should not be overtly commercial in nature. For further details, guidelines and to submit your abstract online visit www.ae-expo.eu/call-papers.