Category: BizJet

FAA Administrator Dickson Signs Final Rule to Improve Mx Training

Today, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson signed a final rule to improve and modernize training requirements for aviation maintenance technical schools. FAA says these improvements will help better educate the future workforce and meet the demands of the evolving aviation community.

Under the new rule, technical schools will update curriculum and incorporate technical training that aligns with the current industry standards. The new rule will post in the Federal Register later this spring. The rule can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/part-147-aviation-maintenance-technician-schools-amts-interim-final-rule

CAE Suspends Services and Training to Russian Airlines and Operators

CAE announced that it has suspended all services and training to Russian airlines, aircraft operators and healthcare distributors, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“CAE is saddened by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and in support of its people, CAE has ceased to offer training services to pilots of Russian airlines as well as corporate and cargo operators in its training network,” a statement released by the company says. The company has also ceased to sell and service simulators for Russian airlines as well as healthcare distributors.

To support the humanitarian relief operations for Ukrainian refugees fleeing war, CAE has donated C$60,000 to the Red Cross. To date, CAE employees worldwide have donated more than C$65,000 to the Red Cross, for a total of more than C$125,000 donated by CAE and its employees. CAE will continue to match employee donations worldwide until March 31.

CAE says their employees in Hungary and Poland are also volunteering their time to support the Red Cross as well as individually supporting the needs of Ukrainian refugees.   

CAE does not have any facilities in Russia. Prior to the suspension, CAE serviced simulators sold to Russian airlines with parts and update services and trained a number of Russian airlines in its global training center network.

Astronautics Relocates Manufacturing Operations Into New Corporate Headquarters

Astronautics Corporation of America, a designer and manufacturer of avionics and connectivity solutions for the aerospace industry, is relocating its manufacturing operations and Federal Aviation Administration Repair Station from Milwaukee into a newly renovated, state-of-the-art, 80,000 square-foot facility in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. 

Relocation of Astronautics’ manufacturing operation into its new production facility at the company’s corporate headquarters will be complete by mid-March 2022.  The transition marks the completion of the company’s second phase of renovation at their Oak Creek property and the first time in the company’s more than 60-year history that production, repairs, quality, engineering, programs, and support services will be collocated within the same campus—one designed specifically to enhance collaboration and innovation.

“The game changer during this relocation was that the Oak Creek warehouse we were turning into our new production facility was a blank slate, enabling us to plan and design our ideal manufacturing workflow, beginning to end, before any construction began,” said Jason Rowell, Astronautics’ director of operations.  “We implemented purposeful designs meant to streamline our manufacturing and repair processes, improve production efficiencies, and create a flexible environment that can easily adapt to workflow changes as we build new products and add new people and equipment.”

Astronautics’ new 190,000 square-foot headquarters is located five miles south of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, 17 miles from Milwaukee’s city center, and 80 miles from Chicago.  The company’s campus is adjacent to Oak Creek’s Drexel Town Square, the city’s newest commercial, retail, civic, and residential development with convenient access to parks, restaurants, shopping, hotel accommodations, and Interstate 94.

“We’re thrilled to consolidate most of our Milwaukee-area facilities into our Oak Creek campus where natural synergies and enhanced communication will emerge from having our teams collated—positively impacting product innovation and production,” commented Mary Loomis, Astronautics’ director of communications.  “Additionally, our new facility provides us with room to grow our operations with a talented, high-tech workforce motivated to design and build cutting-edge solutions that make flying safer and more secure.”

Phase one of Astronautics’ design-build project was completed in January 2020 when the company relocated its engineering, programs, and support services into their newly renovated Oak Creek headquarters.

Thoroughbred Aviation Brings Lee Brewster On Board

Thoroughbred Aviation is excited to announce that Lee Brewster has joined as vice president effective March 1, 2022. Brewster joins Thoroughbred Aviation by way of ATP (Flightdocs), where she was vice
president of marketing and engagement and, previously, FlightSafety International.

Lee Brewster

Thoroughbred says Brewster’s experience in marketing, operations, customer success, and industry engagement that will continue the growth on the transactional side while expanding the additional service offerings.

“The aircraft transaction and brokerage world is an environment that requires people with a highly analytical mind coupled with a dedication to customer service and the customer experience, “explained Nathan Winkle, president, Thoroughbred Aviation. “Lee brings over 20 years of industry experience along with the leadership and skills needed for the next phase of growth of Thoroughbred Aviation. Her diverse aviation background and willingness to go above
and beyond are going to benefit our client base significantly.”

Thoroughbred Aviation is a full-service aircraft transaction brokerage specializing in bringing
aircraft with the highest pedigree to the open market and their buyers. With an international
presence and extensive network, the ability to pair high-performance business aircraft with
both experienced and new-to-market buyers has brought the need to expand the team and
reach.

“I am fortunate to have known and worked with Nathan for many years. I have always held him
in high regard and respected his approach to operate with integrity in this industry. Since the
beginning of my career, my goal has always been to act, serve and smooth the way as often as
possible for my customers and teammates,” says Brewster. “Joining Thoroughbred is a
unique opportunity for me to bring my skill set to a new segment of business aviation and help
a business grow and expand.”

CAPTURE 3D Delivers Fast Digitization with Precision Handheld 3D Scanner T-Scan Hawk

CAPTURE 3D, provider of 3D measurement solutions and the official U.S. partner for GOM GmbH/ZEISS, announced the T-Scan hawk, a portable laser scanner that collects precision 3D data fast. The handheld 3D scanner offers GOM Inspect 3D inspection software, integrated photogrammetry, multiple laser sources and three application-focused scanning modes, providing the flexibility needed to accomplish various diverse tasks, including aircraft MRO defect inspection, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, quality control and reverse engineering.

Three Scanning Modes for Flexibility

Key technical features of the T-Scan hawk provide flexibility to fulfill various purposes, including large-object photogrammetry, multiple laser sources and three application-focused scanning modes:

• Red crosses for larger measurement areas
• Single red line to reach difficult areas and deep pockets
• Blue lines for dark, shiny or reflective surfaces

Pressing a button on the handle changes scanning modes, even while scanning is in session. The system employs two laser sources, red and blue, to capture data from surface structures and materials, including dark and shiny objects. The integrated photogrammetry option brings scale for larger projects. For additional flexibility, The T-SCAN hawk uses dynamic referencing to collect 3D scan data on moving or vibrating objects, so users are not limited to stationary or still objects.

Portability for Tight, Hard to Reach Areas

As a lightweight, mobile, handheld 3D scanner, the T-Scan hawk is small enough to travel with and bring directly to the object it will scan. The T-SCAN hawk’s portability enables 3D inspection in tight places that may be difficult to fit a full-sized 3D measurement machine inside of such as in the interior of a car for digitizing or a confined space of an aircraft engine to inspect defects, wear and damage in MRO.

Speed and Ease of Use

The T-Scan hawk requires minimal setup, allowing scanning to begin in minutes. GOM Inspect software guides the user through the entire workflow of scanning, probing and inspecting, making the process fast and easy. Even users with industry-specific applications like maintenance, repair, and overhaul experience increased efficiency with the scanner’s ability to match actual part data instantly and visibly with nominal CAD.

GOM Inspect Software

GOM Inspect software is an industry standard for visible 3D measurement data and specialized digital engineering functions, providing an all-in-one solution to 3D metrology. GOM Inspect software facilitates the T-Scan hawk’s complete workflow from scanning to reporting for maximum ease of use. During data acquisition with the T-Scan hawk, the software displays the 3D data instantaneously throughout the workflow, making it possible to see the high-quality data results in real-time. GOM Inspect software features support the entire inspection process, from scanning to mesh editing, CAD import, GD&T and trend analyses, digital assembly and dimensional inspection.

High-Quality Data Capture

The T-Scan hawk projects a scanning area of 550 mm x 600 mm with 14 crossed red laser lines for general scanning tasks providing fast 3D digitizing, four parallel blue lines for fine details and a single red laser line for scanning in deep pockets or other hard to reach areas. The scanning resolution is 0.05 mm with multiple scan lines and 0.01 mm with the single red line.

72DL PLUS Thickness Gauge Measures Ultra-Thin Layers and at High Speed

The new 72DL PLUS ultrasonic thickness gauge delivers precision thickness measurements at high speed in a portable, easy-to-use device. With fast scanning, advanced algorithms and Olympus’ lowest-ever minimum thickness capability, the gauge can measure the thickness of very thin layers for challenging applications across industries.Whether used as a paint thickness gauge, coating thickness gauge or material thickness gauge, the 72DL PLUS instrument delivers reliable, lab-quality measurements to maximize productivity and throughput on the production floor.

Easily Track and Visualize Thickness Changes
Capable of displaying up to six layers at once for multilayer coatings, paint, plastics and other materials, the gauge includes a full-color touch screen and five measurement layouts so thickness changes can be accurately tracked and visualized.

Easy Application Setup for Routine Thickness Measurements
Guided workflow makes it easier to create and save an application setup. For routine applications, inspectors can store and recall settings to simplify device setup before each inspection.

Modern Data Management for Industry 4.0
Built-in data logging and onboard file management provide streamlined thickness data collection and processing, while the PC Interface Application includes intuitive tools to review and manage data for multiple devices and parts. Connected and cloud capable for Industry 4.0 practices, the gauge supports wireless LAN, Bluetooth®, and USB connectivity and integrates into the Olympus Scientific Cloud™ (OSC).

Rugged for the Production Floor
Built for industrial environments, the gauge can be used indoors and outdoors, on a work surface, or using a four-point chest harness or shoulder strap. The gauge meets military drop test standards (MIL-STD-810G) to protect against accidental drops or impacts, is designed to meet IP65 requirements to protect against dust and moisture, and takes reliable measurements in hot and cold climates with an impressive operating temperature range of –10 °C to 50 °C (14 °F to 122 °F).

Thickness Gauge Models to Suit Versatile Applications
72DL PLUS thickness gauges are available in Standard and High-Frequency models. The High-Frequency model can drive transducer frequencies up to 125 MHz to measure ultra-thin materials—including multilayer paint, plastics, metals and coatings—and simultaneously display the thickness of up to six layers. The 72DL PLUS gauge provides up to 2 kHz measurement speeds, a 60 Hz display update, and clean signals for fast, accurate measurements.

Special Bentley Livery for BBJ Owners Created by MAAS Aviation and Mankiewicz Coating Solutions

VIP aircraft owners not only expect a luxurious interior but also demand a first-class exterior finish, an eye-catcher on the runways of Saint Barths or St. Moritz. That is the reason why a VIP aircraft of a special kind was recently created. The aircraft’s owner had something unique in mind — he wanted his plane painted to match his Bentley. The colorimetry specialists at Mankiewicz Coating Solutions accepted the challenge and recreated the exact color tones of the luxury car. The result is a sparkling variety of noble blue and brown tones in addition to rose gold, all implemented in a high-performance aircraft coating system that can withstand the harsh conditions of flight operations for many years. The colours also had to blend seamlessly into one another — not an easy task, because this kind of aircraft painting is handwork, not automated.

The owner relied on the proficiency of MAAS Aviation for this job, who are recognized experts in aircraft painting and exterior coatings. Besides the challenges of the special livery, the aircraft had to be airborne again in a very short time. Mankiewicz Coating Solutions and MAAS Aviation expertly matched the color tones, tested them together and worked out the ideal application process. The result speaks for itself: a seamless color gradient with intensely glittering micas and a very smooth VIP high-gloss finish.

The two companies say their longstanding cooperation contributed to the successful outcome in this case. Both are globally positioned and have already delivered numerous aircraft to airlines for OEMs and the commercial refurbishment sector. This project demonstrates outstanding results in the bespoke VIP sector with a very individual high-quality finish.

FAA Administrator Dickson Announces He is Leaving Agency

Federal Aviation Administrator Steve Dickson announced he will be leaving the agency at the end of March. A former Delta Air Lines captain and operations vice president of that airline, Dickson came to FAA after taking retirement from his position at the Atlanta-based airline. Although Dickson faced a tough couple of years coming in amidst the Boeing 737 Max tragedies, the COVID pandemic and the worst spate of unruly passengers in aviation history, he handled all with aplomb. He is only a little over two years into a five year term. Dickson released the following statement:

“By now, most of you have heard that I will be stepping down as FAA Administrator as of March 31. As I expressed to FAA employees in an email sharing my decision, it’s time for me to go back to Atlanta, where my wife, Janice, and my family have been keeping a light on for me. It started as a porch light, but it’s become a search light, calling me home. 

As I also told the nearly 45,000 FAA employees, I am tremendously proud of the work we’ve accomplished over a very short time. We put this agency on firm footing to excel and prosper in the 21st century and beyond. We made, and we continue to make, our global aviation system safer from the hard lessons learned from the 737 MAX; we kept the skies open and safe despite tremendous odds when COVID-19 shut down the global transportation network, and we continue to make sure the safety of the aviation industry and the insatiable desire for connectivity can coexist.

And despite all of the crises, this dedicated workforce shared my vision for modernizing our approach to safety and revitalizing and reinvigorating our workforce, in part through our Flight Plan 21 initiative, which is now well underway. We’re safely integrating exciting new forms of transportation—drones, flying taxies, automated aircraft and spacecraft, to name a few. I’m not exaggerating when I call this the most exciting time in aerospace since the advent of the jet engine, and maybe even the Wright Brothers.

I said hello to many intelligent and diverse new people in our workforce, and said goodbye to too many wonderful souls, taken from us much too early by COVID-19.

Please know that although I will leave the FAA at the end of next month, I will always be an advocate for the agency’s work and our shared commitment to aviation safety.”

The Biden Administration will begin a search for his replacement.

ITT Aerospace Controls Expands Aircraft Component Offerings with Five New Valves and Actuators for Enhanced Product Reliability

ITT Aerospace Controls has expanded and redesigned its aircraft component line with five new valves and actuators, providing customers with market-leading solutions to control fluid handling valves used in fuel, hydraulics, water, and environmental controls systems in the aerospace and defense markets.     

While Aerospace Controls’ newest components are manufactured and offered individually, they can also be assembled together for a complete electrically operated valve. The combination of these products, designed to improve aircraft operations, provides customers with cost, maintenance, and procurement logistics benefits, the company says.

“ITT Aerospace Controls developed these products based on our over 90 years of aerospace industry experience and customer feedback. This industry evolution represents a significant improvement over existing technology in the field,” said Steve Kim, vice president and general manager, ITT Aerospace Controls. “We achieved significant performance and reliability improvements by innovating the seal designs and optical electro-mechanical sensor.”

ITT Aerospace Controls’ newly expanded aircraft component line now features:

  • Opto Electronic Actuator (OEA) – This actuator incorporates several new features, including optical, non-contact position sensing and a solid-state motor drive, to improve reliability in high vibration and shock environments compared to electro-mechanical micro switches. ITT’s unique technologies have two domestic patents, US7105801 and US7717397, and various associated international patents.
  • Modulating Control Actuator (MCA) – While a typical shutoff valve is either completely open or closed, the MCA can drive the valve to an enhanced position between 0 and 90 degrees, restricting the flow of fluid to improve process control and system efficiency. For example, the MCA can control fluid coolant flow to regulate a system’s temperature to peak performance.
  • Compact Actuator – While conventional actuators use a single switch to perform the dual functions of motor control and position indication, the Compact Actuator has an additional switch to separate them, eliminating the potential for a latent failure. Higher reliability is realized through the use of a solid-state directional control in lieu of typical electro-mechanical relays. Future development plans will include the option for optical non-contact position sensing, similar to the OEA.
  • Ridge Seal Valve (RSV) – This electric motor actuated, normally closed valve features a patent-pending design that dramatically reduces internal leakage and provides high reliability for fluid handling by controlling flow. Compared to traditional ball valves that incorporate a line contact sealing surface, our innovative Ridge Seal Valve ensures less wear and superior sealing performance. Patents are expected by the end of 2022. 
  • Dual Motion Shutoff Valve (DMSOV) – The dual motion valve design incorporates a sequencing drive and an eccentric shaft mechanism. This combination synchronizes the operation to linearly retract the valve disk from the seal surface and rotate the valve to open. The valve design provides superior sealing performance, maximizes seal life, and has the added benefit of reduced torque requirement at low temperature due to elimination of friction. Patents are expected by the end of 2022.

Falcon Aviation Services goes live on Rusada’s ENVISION

Emirati Oil & Gas and business aviation services operator Falcon Aviation Services has gone live with Rusada’s ENVISION software.

Falcon Aviation Services provides bespoke charter services to the Oil & Gas industry, as well as VIP and Helicopter Sightseeing Tours using a diverse ultra-modern fleet consisting of 29 helicopters including Bell, AgustaWestland and Airbus, and 6 fixed-wing aircraft including De Havilland, Gulfstream, and Embraer. It also offers a wide range of operational and aviation support services including, MRO, CAMO, FBO, Aircraft Management and Heliport Management, amongst others.

After a successful implementation project conducted by Rusada’s Middle East division, Falcon Aviation Services are now live on the system. They will use ENVISION to manage their airworthiness, maintenance planning, maintenance execution, and inventory through its Fleet Management, Base Maintenance and Inventory Management modules.

“We selected ENVISION because we needed a system that could effectively link our airworthiness, maintenance and inventory activities. Previously, these functions were working in isolation and weren’t benefiting from the shared knowledge that ENVISION provides,” said Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, chief operating officer at Falcon Aviation Services “Migrating to a new software platform can always be challenging but the team at Rusada and our team here have gone above and beyond to make the transition as smooth as possible and guarantee this project’s success.”

Julian Stourton, CEO at Rusada added, “I’d like to congratulate the teams at Falcon Aviation Services, and here at a Rusada for an incredibly well-executed project. After the inevitable slowdown in implementations due to Covid, we are now seeing projects kick into gear again, with this being our third go-live in the last 3 months. We look forward to even more in the year ahead.”