Category: BizJet

ABS Jets Conducts 192-Month Inspection of Embraer Legacy 600

ABS Jets maintenance team has just completed the second 192-month/16-year inspection on an Embraer Legacy 600 managed by ABS Jets. The inspection began during the COVID lockdown and was finalized on time despite quarantine measures.

The respective aircraft was delivered directly from Brazil by ABS Jets pilots in 2004 and has been maintained exclusively at the ABS Jets facility since. The typically demanding maintenance inspection took six weeks to complete. Maintenance checks of this type generally reveal various technical findings. Corrosion is a typical problem and one of the most serious detected during heavy C-Checks.

“The key to an aircraft’s exceptional technical condition is proper parking and hangarage, predictive maintenance planning, and day-to-day care provided by Line Maintenance,” says Stanislav Kucera, continuing airworthiness manager at ABS Jets. “This quadruple C-Check proved to be extraordinary in that insignificant corrosion was found, but the circumstances associated with COVID-19 made the replacement parts delivery process very challenging. However, the team did obtain all the crucial parts on time.”

Maintenance on the aircraft was conducted with strict hygiene protocols. The technicians assigned to the project were required to continuously wear respirators and contact with each other and the public was strictly limited. The company arranged special transportation for its technicians so they could avoid public areas while they worked. The greatest challenge was the final test flight since the pilots were required to undergo mandatory quarantine after arriving from abroad.

OU Launches Aerospace and Defense Graduate Programs

The Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma is launching new graduate business programs in aerospace and defense. The College will offer an Executive MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Aerospace and Defense through its Gene Rainbolt Graduate School of Business, beginning fall 2020. Information on these programs can be found at http://www.ou.edu/price/mba/executive-mba-in-aerospace-and-defense.

The Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense is a one-year, 32-credit-hour degree, and the Graduate Certificate in Aerospace and Defense is a six-month, 12-credit-hour program. Both programs are designed specifically for working individuals to develop managerial and leadership skills of the A&D workforce, including those without a business education. OU sa curriculum was developed with input from industry leaders in aerospace and defense.

“We are excited to launch the Executive MBA degree, as well as the Graduate Certificate in this much-needed field,” said Wayne Thomas, interim dean of the Price College of Business. “Participants will be taught in live online sessions by A&D industry leaders and renowned OU faculty.”

The Executive MBA includes 20 hours completed online, with an additional 12 hours of residency work. Online courses are offered in eight-week modules and there will be three residency weeks: two in Oklahoma City, and the third will be held internationally. The program uses a cohort model, allowing students to build strong relationships with others in the industry.

The 12-credit-hour Graduate Certificate program is entirely online with live instruction. Students will choose six business courses specific to the industry in areas such as financial management, legal environment, IT and cybersecurity, managing supply chain and logistics, project management, and global A&D strategy. All coursework for the certificate is transferrable to the Executive MBA program, with flexible, online delivery.

“Our programs are poised to lead the world in preparing the leaders necessary to ensure the enduring strength of our nation’s aerospace and defense operations,” said Eddie Edwards, executive director of graduate programs at the Gene Rainbolt Graduate School of Business.

Limited financial assistance for those serving in the Armed Forces is available. Registration information and additional questions about Executive Business Programs in Aerospace and Defense can be directed to Shad Satterthwaite at shad@ou.edu or Michelle Brown at michellebrown@ou.edu.

AIAC Releases Aerospace Recommendations and Calls on Federal Government to Help

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) has released six key recommendations that build on their Vision 2025 plan; while repeating the call for the federal government to recognize aerospace as a strategic sector in urgent need of a long-term sectoral strategy.

“The impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s aerospace industry has been unprecedented. The consequences of aircraft being grounded cascade down to our industry – to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), maintenance, repair and overhaul workers (MRO) and ongoing work relating to Canada’s assets in space.  With longer lead times in supply chain slowdowns, the devastating economic effects of this crisis are going to reverberate across our industry for years to come,” says Mike Mueller, senior vice President, AIAC.

“Competitor countries are making aerospace a key part of their economic recovery plans. Canada needs to take similar steps – not only to retain our current position but also to be ready for the global market opportunities that will emerge when the industry recovers,” says Mueller.

AIAC recommends the following actions the Government of Canada can take immediately to help ensure best possible outcomes and long-term stability for Canada’s aerospace sector:

  1. Develop a pragmatic and proportional plan to allow people to begin flying again.
  2. Adapt Canada’s job retention program and liquidity measures to support employees in industries that will take longer to recover.
  3. Rapidly expand government support for green technologies to enable the decarbonization of key sectors, particularly transportation and aviation.
  4. Establish a new long-term investment bank to support and foster essential manufacturing supply chains through the market transformation ahead.
  5. Advance public procurement projects, particularly in defense and space projects, to help stimulate and sustain high-tech supply chains through the difficult months ahead.
  6. Establish a Canadian sector strategy for aerospace that includes civil, defense and space.

“There is a need now, more than ever, for the Federal Government to work with us on a long-term sectoral strategy for Canada’s aerospace industry. Ensuring a strong Canadian aerospace sector will be crucial to rebuilding Canada’s economy given aerospace’s substantial contributions to our nation’s economic health on an annual basis –  $31 billion in revenues, over $25 billion to GDP and nearly 215,000 jobs,” Mueller says.

 

COVID-19 Successfully Neutralized in Testing of Aviation Clean Air’s Interior Purification System

Testing results of the needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) technology that powers Aviation Clean Air’s (ACA) airborne and ground-use purification systems demonstrated successful neutralization by ionization of the COVID-19 virus. The laboratory tests were conducted by Innovative Bioanalysis in a test setting designed to replicate the ionization conditions of corporate and commercial aircraft interiors. The results showed neutralization began immediately and that up to 99.4 percent of the virus was inactivated within 30 minutes.

The ACA airborne system is a patented Ionization Purification System certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft installation. The system, which operates through the aircraft’s existing environmental control system (ECS) and functions automatically whenever the ECS is running, improves interior air quality, eliminates odors and kills pathogens in the air and on surfaces wherever they live throughout the cabin and cockpit of the aircraft. The Ion Distribution Unit for Ground Use Only (shown here) was developed by ACA and International Aero Engineering (IAE) to decontaminate aircraft interiors while on the ground. The Ground Unit utilizes the same technology as the airborne system.

”This phase of the testing demonstrated the neutralization of the surface strain of the virus,” says Jonathan Saltman, International Aero Engineering president and CEO. “Aerosolized testing as well as additional testing with various times and concentration of ion levels is currently underway.”

“The proprietary NPBI technology utilized in our ground and airborne systems was developed and patented by Global Plasma Solutions,” says Howard Hackney, ACA managing member. NPBI works by leveraging an electronic charge to create a high concentration of positive and negative ions. These ions travel through the air continuously seeking out and attaching to particles, which sets in motion a continuous pattern of particle combination. As these particles become larger, they are eliminated from the air more rapidly. Additionally, positive and negative ions have microbicidal effects on pathogens, ultimately reducing the infectivity of the virus.

“NPBI is ozone-free and the only one in its category to pass the RCTA DO-160 standard for aircraft,” Hackney continues. “Traditional bipolar ionization systems produce harmful ozone as a byproduct. Our system is a proactive, natural purification process that produces no harmful ozone or chemicals and requires no maintenance.”

“The results of the testing are extremely encouraging,” adds IAE’s Saltman. “We see this is as an important step for both commercial and business jet travel in restoring the confidence of passengers and crew.”

Trenchard Aviation Group Appoints New COO

Trenchard Aviation Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Smith as its new chief operating officer.

With more than 25 years senior management experience in airline engineering and MRO, Smith will be responsible for all operations across manufacturing, parts and repairs, and on-wing services.

The company says Smith has extensive knowledge of Trenchard Aviation customers’ requirements, having been head of Engineering and postholder at easyJet, and having lead MRO facilities at Rolls-Royce and Triumph Air Repair for 10 years.

Prior to joining Trenchard Aviation, Smith had a 30 year career in aviation, and most recently was director of Operations Transformation at easyJet, responsible for formation and delivery of the airline’s operations strategy, and for delivering their very successful Operational Resilience program, focused on reducing disruption and improving operational performance.

He progressed through the easyJet organization, joining as head of Powerplant, responsible for managing over 450 engines, then forming the easyJet ‘asset transition’ team, responsible for delivery and redelivery of aircraft to lessors, moving onto the future cabin program responsible for the 186 seat cabin retrofit program, and finally becoming head of Engineering. Smith also lead the Triumph Air Repair operation in the UK, carrying out component repair and APU overhaul, and was general manager, Component repair at Rolls-Royce.

He has an Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering from City University, London, and an MBA from Cranfield University.

“We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the Trenchard Aviation team,” Mark Faulkner, CEO of Trenchard Aviation Group, commented. “His enviable experience and expertise will be a brilliant asset as we move forward out of the coronavirus pandemic and longer term with our strategic international growth plans.”

Transport Category Aircraft Systems 4th Edition Coming Soon

The industry book, “Transport Category Aircraft Systems” is now in its fourth edition. Transport aircraft systems have undergone many changes in the rapidly advancing electronic age, and this latest edition of “Transport Category Aircraft Systems” can help you make sense of them. Professor Thomas Wild has updated the book to include the latest aircraft and removed the aircraft that are no longer commonly seen.

Designed for readers who already have some knowledge of aeronautical terminology and basic aircraft systems, this book provides in-depth explanations and detailed illustrations of transport-category aircraft and their onboard systems. It introduces complex systems by explaining the basics that are common to all large aircraft. By understanding how a system works on a specific aircraft, the reader can transfer that knowledge to other aircraft.

Transport Category Aircraft Systems 4th edition will be available for order in July. If you have any questions regarding this textbook or would like to place a preorder you can call or email us at: 800.828.6835, sales@avotek.com.

 

Aerox Aviation Oxygen and Aithre Announce Agreement to Bundle Altus Meso Tank Monitoring Products

Aithre and Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems announced a collaboration agreement to integrate Aithre wireless monitoring technology into Aerox’s line of portable oxygen tanks for general aviation users. The agreement also establishes Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems as an authorized distributor for the entire Aithre product line. Under the terms of the agreement, Aerox will be the exclusive bundler of the Altus Meso wireless portable oxygen tank monitoring system for new portable oxygen systems. Aithre and Aerox will also cobrand the Aithre iOS tank monitoring app that links the Altus Meso to any iOS device.

Aithre and Aerox have announced a special price for the Altus Meso of $149.99 installed on any Aerox portable, plus the price of the Aerox portable oxygen system. The Altus Meso can be added as an option to any new Aerox portable oxygen tank at the time of ordering so the user can receive a ready-to-go, integrated package. The Altus Meso can also be ordered and installed separately from Aerox and other authorized dealers for $195.00.

The Aithre Altus Meso wirelessly pairs to an iOS device to display tank pressure, flow rate, and time remaining of any portable oxygen tank. The Meso weighs just a few ounces and is plugged into any oxygen tank using the included high-pressure Tee-fitting. The Meso can be powered directly with a USB port. A battery pack is included and can be attached to the outside of the tank and is recharged using a standard USB cable. The Aithre iOS app displays constant reading of key parameters so the pilot has instant knowledge of the status of their oxygen system. A built-in pressure altimeter allows reminders to the pilot when oxygen use is required by FAA regulation, and includes a reminder to shut off the oxygen tank after landing. The Meso wirelessly integrates with avionics using the Shield EX-3, which is being installed in factory Vans, Sling, and Glasair aircraft. Also available is SPO2 and pressure altitude trend information directly on the Oxygen trending graph on the iOS app.

“Aithre is committed to developing integrated technologies for high altitude flying to help pilots better manage risks,” says  Aithre founder and CEO, Jim Ruttler. “The best way to deploy our integrated technologies is to provide them to pilots as a bundled package at the point of sale to make it easy for users to purchase and to install. We are proud of our relationship with Aerox and that they have chosen the Aithre Altus Meso to bundle with their portable oxygen systems.”

“Jim and I are both active pilots and right away we understood the benefits of allowing pilots to bundle the Altus Meso system into their purchase of any Aerox portable oxygen system,” says Scott Ashton, president and CEO of Aerox. “We both believe that a portable oxygen system is the single most effective “bolt-on” modification a pilot can make to their airplane. Even at altitudes as low as 7,000’, having oxygen on board can make pilots and their passengers more alert and less fatigued.”

Ruttler went on to say that nearly every airplane flying now has some level of connectivity in it and pilots are using technology to make flying safer and to enhance situational awareness. That same benefit can now include the pilot’s health through monitoring of CO and oxygen levels using connected technologies such as the Altus Meso, Shield CO detectors, and the Illyrian Smart Oximeter.

MRO Insider Adds Latin American Affiliate InterXtra

MRO Insider announced it has added the company’s first affiliate for Mexico and Latin America. The InterXtra team, including Luis Sanders, will work both sides of the MRO Insider business.

“Working with Luis and the InterXtra staff has brought tremendous value,” Andy Nixon, co-founder of MRO Insider, explains. “They have already signed up numerous XA registered aircraft, as well as kept our team busy with Zoom demos for Mexican and Brazilian service providers. We look forward to building a long lasting relationship that will benefit our two companies.”

Luis Sanders, CEO of InterXtra adds, “I met the MRO Insider team in 2019 and noticed the value it could provide to our friends, contacts, and clients in the region, so it made sense that InterXtra could assist within the territory for both Latin American MRO’s and operators. When we introduced the solution to a couple of people in Mexico we received very positive feedback. Some said it was like moving into the future. MRO Insider felt it was the next natural step to take and we are thrilled to be a part of this growth moving forward.”

THOMMEN Welcomes New CEO

THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT Ltd. announced Daniel Grosch has joined the THOMMEN team on March 10th 2020 as their new CEO, based at the headquarters in Switzerland.

Grosch previously served as company director and director of Business Development at MSI Defence Systems and vice president Global Sales at Arktis Radiation Detectors with a proven track record of sales achievements, new business development and growing revenue streams.

He has more than 15 years’ experience in the aerospace and defence business. With strong analytical, negotiation and inter-personal skills, he has led teams to achieve record levels of business, THOMMEN says.

Previous to that he was with Bruhn NewTech and L-3 Communications holding diverse senior management positions where he secured access to new and existing markets within the industry and Government customer base, enabling expansion of market presence and reputation.

Grosch joins the company as they adjust to the COVID-19 era and the resulting operational challenges. “He brings with him much excitement to strengthen the joint efforts of our group for the months and years to come,” the company says. He can be reached at: daniel.grosch@thommen.aero.