Author: neilw

Signature Flight Support has acquired the assets of FBO 2000 including its locations at V.C. Bird Antigua International Airport (ANU), R. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) in St. Kitts and Vance W. Amory International Airport in Nevis (NEV). Signature Antigua (ANU) will offer customers an executive terminal, lounge, offices and two hangars. Signature Antigua’s significant aircraft to yacht service makes the island a highly desirable luxury leisure travel destination.

Signature Nevis (NEV) and St. Kitts (SKB) offer passenger handling and coordination services to expedite clearance through customs and immigration to and from the destinations. Both locations have offices on their respective airports and provide services to assist customers and crew while they are visiting the islands.

This acquisition adds three new locations to Signature’s growing Caribbean network of locations including San Juan, Puerto Rico (SIG) and St. Maarten (SXM). Signature Antigua and St. Kitts both have extensive aircraft parking capabilities and during peak seasonal periods, offer a convenient option for remote parking for customer aircraft traveling to St. Maarten.

In addition, Signature recently announced a licensing agreement with Blue Heron Aviation of the Turks and Caicos, which is currently under construction and expected to open in the fall of 2014. “We are pleased to welcome three new Caribbean leisure and business destinations to our global portfolio with an established reputation for excellent service. We look forward to welcoming the staff at Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis to the Signature family and to providing Signature’s world-class service for our customers visiting the islands,” noted Maria Sastre, president and COO for Signature Flight Support.
This acquisition increases Signature’s network to more than 120 locations.

PM Prime, a Chicago area restaurant, is now open for business and the décor celebrates pioneers in the history of aviation. Lake Forest resident Steve Platcow, CEO of RPM Advertising in Chicago, has spent the last decade championing the fine dining experiences found at Caesars Palace, Horseshoe and Harrah’s nationwide.

Platcow has assembled a culinary dream team to help him fulfill his mission of bringing a great steakhouse to Chicago’s North Shore. James Beard award-nominated chef Dominic Zumpano has created a menu that has some steak house classics, and also some creative interpretations. Robert B. Bansberg, award-winning sommelier and wine educator, serves as General Manager/Sommelier.

While dining at PM Prime, guests will be surrounded by a collection of more than 200 black and white photographs that celebrate excellence in aviation. This is a rare opportunity to see a truly amazing assemblage of vintage images that honor the pioneers of flight, all under one roof. From the Wright Brothers, to Amelia Earhart, the Tuskegee Airmen and Jimmy Doolittle—the collection showcases the fearless and the brave. The heroes represented in the photographs pushed the boundaries of what was possible and demonstrated the power of the human spirit. These stunning historic images motivate the team at PM Prime to strive for excellence and the ultimate goal is encourage the patrons to pursue excellence in their lives as well. This engaging display will leave guests feeling nothing less than inspired.

The menu includes popular steakhouse favorites such as the filet mignon and New York strip, but it also has some more unusual cuts such as the wagyu hanger steak. PM Prime will feature the highest quality cuts of prime beef available. Chef Zumpano will incorporate modern techniques that will appeal to foodies, but also have some timeless classics for traditional steak lover. Diners will find interesting selections such as osso buco with saffron risotto or halibut with spaetzle and roasted beets. And they can always count on a getting a great steak.

Chef Dominic Zumpano’s culinary career has spanned from Maine’s Rose Garden Restaurant, one of only 47 five-diamond restaurants in the U.S., to Lake Forest’s popular Market House on the Square. Zumpano was nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest. He was nominated for Chicago’s Jean Banchet award as a rising chef and also featured in Best Chefs of America as one of Chicago’s top chefs for its 2013 book. Zumpano is well-known for the passion and creativity that he brings to his cuisine.

Zumpano is known for inventing innovative, seasonal menus based on fresh, local ingredients produced from a network of artisans and organic farmers. He also loves preparing a great steak and is particularly proud of his own signature steak sauce, which he describes as “being so rich that it deserves its own trust fund.”

Eastman Aviation Solutions has released a comprehensive, up-to-date guide of the world’s turbine-engine aviation fleets. Individuals can now preorder a free copy online.

The “Turbine-Engined Fleets of the World’s Airlines” guide has been produced every year since 1970 for customers of BPTO 2197, BPTO 2380 and the other Turbo Oils now offered by Eastman Aviation Solutions. The guide is made available to members of the aviation community on request. Eastman Chemical Company acquired the aviation turbo oils business from BP on June 1, 2014, and this year’s guide is the first to be published by Eastman.

The guide is based on data collected from an annual survey of the world’s airlines, and is the only free, in-depth listing of the 57,000 turbine-engine equipped aircraft flying commercially today. This unique fleet guide is meant to be a valuable and useful resource throughout the year to professionals in the industry.

The “Turbine-Engined Fleets of the World’s Airlines” guide has been used to pinpoint emerging trends and transitions within the airline industry through documented changes in the survey data. In recent years, the guide identified the substantial increase in the number of aircraft transitioning from standard engine oils to cleaner and more efficient options.

“Eastman’s products, such as Skydrol aviation hydraulic fluids, are already known for being high quality, so we are thrilled to bring that product together with BP turbo oils, and SkyKleen aviation solvents to form Eastman Aviation Solutions,” says Matthew Stockum, business unit manager, Eastman Aviation Solutions. “Eastman is also known for our technical expertise and superior customer service, so continuing the longstanding tradition of distributing the guide was an important objective for us.”

“We want to assure our customers that all of the products offered under the Eastman Aviation Solutions brand are indeed the same products they know and trust, and our new team will allow for even more improved product and service offerings to our customers,” says Rodger Harris, global commercial director, Eastman Aviation Solutions. “The 2014 turbine-engined fleet guide is just one such offering.”

To learn more or to order the 2014 Eastman Aviation Solutions turbine-engined fleet guide visit www.EastmanAviationSolutions.com/TEF.

Pentagon 2000 Software just released Pentagon 2000SQL version 9. The company says this new version includes a set of new user interface features as well as functional enhancements to the application.

Pentagon 2000 says the new look-and-feel is incorporated into the screens and menus that modernizes the interface while remaining instantly familiar to the user community around the world. Personalization features such as a favorites shortcut bar will provide an additional mechanism for fast navigation throughout the system that can be tailored to each user’s individual needs. A new set of graphical icons is provided that adhere to modern interface standards, and redesigned windows and tabs have rounded edges and shading that promote a shadow effect.

With a dedicated R&D lab, Pentagon 2000 Software continues to leverage the advantages of its partnerships with Microsoft and Intel. Utilization of the latest Microsoft .NET framework and SQL Server technologies allow continuous development of new features. And support for Intel multi-processor and multi-core capabilities ensures that small business customers can achieve the lowest cost of ownership while larger enterprises can scale up their deployments in a non-disruptive and unrestricted way.

Functional enhancements to the system are included based on ongoing customer feedback. New modules for credit card processing and mobile computing on Apple iOS devices are integrated to provide users with an expanding set of new capabilities. Purpose-built mobile applications for iPhones & iPads that have integrated bar code support are available for inventory receiving, inventory cycle counting, Kanban Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Direct Line Feed (DLF), inventory picking, stock release, order status, inventory status, ILS, aircraft heavy maintenance, electronic labor collection, and flight operations.

All Metal has introduced the Canopy for Aircraft Maintenance (CAM) for the AS350. The CAM is All Metal’s approach to providing a solution for aircraft and mechanic protection in adverse weather.

The CAM is a multi-sectional cover that utilizes the main rotor system of a helicopter to secure protection from the elements providing a shaded environment for maintenance to be performed on the aircraft.

All Metal says the CAM is easily installed and removed by one mechanic and provides protection from inclement weather conditions to allow for maintenance to be performed safely and efficiently in a field or flight line environment.

“Our CAM’s utility is consistent will All Metal’s family of “safety first” products,” says Antionne Bower, All Metal’s sales manager. “We feel the versatility and portability of the CAM enhances the quality of life for the flight crew and mechanics when in a field environment.”

Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska, facility is adding fuel to the electric vehicle era with five new charging stations for the company’s customers and employees. Duncan Aviation is the only business in Lincoln, Nebraska, to recharge, other than two car dealers who sell electric vehicles.

VP of Business Development Jeannine Falter says investing in the community and minimizing the company’s impact on the environment are two factors Duncan Aviation considers when upgrading, improving or expanding one of its locations.

“When we decided to break ground on a new 175,000-square-foot maintenance hangar facility, we considered the recommendations of our company “green team’ and chose to include as many environmentally friendly design elements as possible—LED lights, radiant floor heating, skylights and electric car charging stations,” says Falter.

Duncan Aviation devoted even more resources to remaining environmentally friendly when the senior team asked team members representing all areas of the business to research and implement green initiatives. As a group, the Green Team started a grassroots initiative to impact change at work and at home, because even small changes can have a sizable impact.

Five charging stations sit prominently outside the new maintenance hangar H, and the company has slotted space for five more stations, which will be added when more team members invest in electric cars.
Many Duncan Aviation employees commute from smaller communities, making a charging station not only convenient, but necessary for those who exceed the 60 to 260 miles per charge range of most electric vehicles.
The company’s Battle Creek, Michigan, location boasts two charging stations that team members have been using for more than a year.

As for the rest of Lincoln, two new charging stations will be available by the end of the month for public use in the parking garage next to Lincoln Electric System, near the Haymarket, says Anne McCollister, owner-manager of the Lincoln-based Electric Transportation Partners that sells charging stations.

by Rustom Sutiara

The mere mention of sourcing aircraft components from pooling silos to an aircraft lessor will be met with a somewhat pregnant pause and a firm yet professional response: “Not on our aircraft!” The question is, why there is so much caution with regard to the utilization of pooled spares? Let’s take a look at the concerns. Is a mutual lessor/operator balance possible?

The Leasing Perspective
The lessor’s mission is to maintain asset value. That means redelivering the aircraft with as many of the original titled parts as possible. Lessors recognize that operators dip into pooled spares in order to get out of an operational corner. The principle is even more prevalent with large fleets. To this effect, the regional and low cost carrier model, where cost control is critical, are more likely to utilize pooled parts than their somewhat more cash-rich legacy or full-service counterparts. In the main, lessors prohibit the use of pooled components onboard. However some lessors do cite notable exceptions to the rule, where pooling agreements are with Tier 1 OEMs and major international airlines, and do not reject pooled parts on their aircraft. If an operator wants to utilize a spares pool, there is no reason this cannot be incorporated into the leasing agreement.

However, the lessors’ main concern is the utilization of rogue parts, which demonstrates both safety and reliability issues when examined closely in terms of the component trace. Not least, the more commercial objective of “time-value and utility” forces them to avoid pooled parts on their aircraft. Low reliability and rogue status may not be entirely down to the human element but more so that of the issue of piece parts in terms of the quality and robustness of the components utilized during maintenance and repair. Regardless, a good level of approved aircraft maintenance may restore reliability levels, and hopefully elevate these components above rogue status.

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Southwest Airlines expanded its OnPoint solution agreement with GE Aviation to cover a total of 196 CFM56-7B engines which power its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and up to 100 CFM56-7B engines, that power recently acquired Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

“Having our engines maintained by GE Aviation provides Southwest Airlines with the peace of mind that our fleet is receiving the highest-quality maintenance, repair and overhaul services available straight from the manufacturer,” said Mike Van de Ven, executive vice president and COO of Southwest Airlines.

“Southwest Airlines is one of our biggest customers, and we take great pride in ensuring its engines receive the best services and support,” said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of GE Aviation’s Services organization. “OnPoint solution agreements enable our customers to focus on their operations, while we work to ensure their maintenance needs are met and their engines are ready to fly.”

GE says OnPoint solutions are customized service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each customer for any size fleet and adds the agreements are designed to help lower the customers’ cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets.

On June 30, 2014, Johann Panier officially took up his duties as chief executive officer of Barfield Inc., a new Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance subsidiary following its recent acquisition from Sabena Technics.

Barfield is a supplier of MRO services specializing in component support, and providing services ranging from repairs to flight hour solutions including spares support, the design of test equipment, and the distribution of spare parts. The company employs 230 staff at three U. S. facilities in Miami, Phoenix, and Louisville.

An alumnus of the Ecole Nationale des Arts et Métiers, holding an MBA from France’s HEC business school and Six Sigma Green Belt, Johann Panier began his career with Dedienne Aerospace, a company specializing in Ground Support Equipment (GSE), in Toulouse and then in Miami. In 2002, he moved to Air France Industries where he held various positions, such as head of department for equipment and engine purchasing. Subsequently he was appointed head of the External Repairs product line. Since 2012, he was leading major projects for AFI KLM E&M Business Development.

“I am proud of this appointment and delighted to be able to count on staff who are dedicated to their company and to their customers, and enthusiastic at the idea of joining the network of a world-renowned MRO,” Panier said. “I am confident in the company’s growth prospects, and convinced that the impact of synergies within the network will propel the combined Barfield/AMG to the rank of major, competitive player serving the whole Americas market.”

Aviation Technical Services (ATS) formally opened its newly‐ renovated 607,000‐square‐foot MRO complex at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) with a ribbon‐cutting and positive customer news on July 24, 2014.

The private celebration welcomed Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, Airport Director Mark VanLoh, other community leaders, invited guests, employees and their family members and business partners.

Two of those business partners, Hawaiian Airlines and Air Canada, officially committed programs to the ATS‐KC facility. Hawaiian’s agreement for Boeing 767 heavy maintenance was formally signed earlier last week. This contract initially involves two nose‐to‐tail heavy checks beginning in September 2014 and has the opportunity to turn into a longer term, exclusive agreement. ATS recently completed a series of Airbus A330 interior modifications for Hawaiian Airlines at its facility in Everett, Washington, adding to the partnership. ATS was awarded Air Canada’s exclusive agreement for Boeing 787 modifications before the event’s formal program. The four‐year contract solidifies and extends a previous version that had three 787s completed at the ATS facility in Everett, Wash., earlier this year. The remaining 34 events will be inducted into the Kansas City facility starting in September 2014 and extending through 2018.

“Selecting Aviation Technical Services for these 767 heavy checks was a natural fit for our network and fleet given ATS’s extensive knowledge of the 767 as well as our recent success on the A330 modifications,” said Lorrin Sardinha, vice president of Maintenance and Engineering at Hawaiian Airlines. “We look forward to our continued partnership.”

Air Canada’s vice president of Maintenance, Alan Butterfield, added, “Working with ATS on this next generation of technology is reassuring, and we are looking forward to continuing this important partnership.”

`“This is a great day for ATS, our customers and the extended Kansas City community. The ATS team, the Aviation Department and Metropolitan Community College aligned well to get this operation up and running in just a few months—including a complete renovation of this hangar,” said Matt Yerbic, president and CEO of ATS.

“I’d like to sincerely thank Governor Nixon, the State of Missouri, including the Missouri Partnership and the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Missouri Economic Development Corporation, Platte County Economic Development Council and the Kansas City Area Development Council and many others for coming together to reignite the tradition of aviation in this area for airline customers and skilled aerospace workers, alike. Since we took the keys to the building, I’m proud to report that over 70 technicians and support folks have joined the ATS‐KC team and we’re continuing to hire. The fact that these flagship carriers [Hawaiian and Air Canada] have confirmed their commitment to this facility today is very exciting,” he added.