Category: BizJet

Pratt & Whitney announced a $30 million investment in its engine services facility in Bridgeport, West Virginia for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of PW800 engines. Specifically, the site will service the market leading PW814GA and PW815GA engines that power the Gulfstream G500 and G600 aircraft, respectively, with the capacity to expand its capabilities to other PW800 engine models in the future.

“As part of the next phase of the successful entry into service of the PW800, we have chosen the Bridgeport facility to provide MRO services for the engine family. This decision was based on the site’s wealth of technical expertise in business aviation engines and its excellent record in providing quality, speed and value for our customers,” said Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam, vice president, customer service, Pratt & Whitney. “Adding the game-changing PW800 engine to their repertoire of business aviation engines will equip and upskill the facility with high value service engineering jobs.”

“Pratt & Whitney’s decision to invest in their West Virginia site is incredible news and is a testament to the quality of our skilled workforce,” West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said. “This outstanding company has been an integral part of the West Virginia aerospace community since 1971 and we are thrilled by their ongoing commitment to our great state.”

In addition to the West Virginia investment, Pratt & Whitney, also officially opened their new overhaul center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for PT6A and PW200 engine families. The grand opening event that celebrated the addition of a fourth new facility in Brazil was attended by national and local government officials, Pratt & Whitney executives and local employees, customers, suppliers and industry representatives. The event was also attended by officials from Pratt & Whitney’s designated maintenance facilities (DMFs) located in Brazil, including ABA Manutenção, Rico Táxi Aéreo and Helipark Manutenção.

“Brazil has a rapidly growing installed engine base. To best serve our customers here, we’ve been working since 2017 to give them even more options for service in-country,” said Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam, vice president, customer service, Pratt & Whitney. “This new facility in Belo Horizonte will be our flagship facility in the region and the considerable demand is directly attributed to both the existing four facilities and the great local talent supporting the fleet.”

Pratt & Whitney powers a large number of Brazil’s aircraft for government, commercial and business use, including 1,300 aircraft powered by PT6A and PW200 engines. By working with IAS and local DMFs, Pratt & Whitney can meet the evolving needs of its customers, providing them with more personalized, timely and cost-effective engine services, for Brazil and other South American operators.

“Working closely with the team at Pratt & Whitney, we were able to quickly bring the new Belo Horizonte facility into operation,” said Ronaldo Aldrin, chief executive officer at IAS. “That success bodes very well for our joint ability to deliver a level of service that exceeds our customers’ expectations and differentiates us in the marketplace.”

The federal government has given final approval to Southern Utah University’s expansion of its aviation program. On December 31, 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration granted final approval for a Part 147 certificate allowing SUU to offer Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenses to students upon successful completion of the academic program requirements and independent testing by a Designated Maintenance Examiner (DME).

“Historic changes are now underway,” said Michael Mower, executive director of SUU Aviation. “For the first time ever, an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) training program to include helicopters is launching at SUU this semester. We worked with our partners in the industry, Washington, D. C., and the Federal Aviation Administration to make this happen.”

SUU currently trains 10 percent of the nation’s helicopter pilots and a significant number of fixed-wing pilots. With this approval, SUU is expanding its offerings and will begin training maintenance technicians through the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Program in spring 2020.

SUU’s AMT Program is the most up-to-date in the nation, with the curriculum stemming from the Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act (S.3043/H.R.5427) that was introduced to the House of Representatives and Senate in December 2019. It’s also the only A&P program with helicopter maintenance used as the curriculum focus while still covering airplane maintenance. The program is designed to be completed in five consecutive semesters, resulting in an associate degree and A&P license.

“This AAS degree program is one of a kind, and I am excited to finally have it certified by the FAA and accepting students,” said Jared Britt, director of global aviation maintenance training at SUU. “It has taken a lot of hard work by the entire aviation team, and we expect to become one of the largest AMT programs over the next few years.”

Through the AMT Program, SUU hopes to contribute to the growing demand for aviation mechanics across the country. The first cohort of students will begin the AMT program in spring 2020. Currently, the building capacity is 250 students, but an additional building and training equipment to accommodate 1000 students are part of future plans. More than 600 students from around the world study at the SUU Aviation program, which includes a fleet of 16 airplanes, 16 helicopters and state of the art facilities.

Honeywell is working with iTRACE and SecureMarking to bring transparency and increased security to the e-commerce market of aerospace products via blockchain technology. This first-of-its-kind process in the aerospace market will greatly simplify the complex regulatory and supply-chain landscape in the industry.

Under the new process, the moment a part comes off the Honeywell assembly line, the identification plate receives a two-factor authentication marking. First, iTRACE’s 2DMI data matrix is laser-etched onto the identification plate. Next, an invisible, high-security ink, provided by Honeywell’s Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT) business and SecureMarking, a third-party authentication company, is applied.

Finally, the iTRACE mobile app scans the 2D matrix and activates the digital authenticity record for the part. This data, along with the part’s birth information, is recorded on Honeywell’s digital blockchain ledger.

Because the two-factor authentication always follows the part from the time of installation until it is taken out of service, the results of this process are a reduction in counterfeit parts and a more dependable supply chain for manufacturers.

“Honeywell is committed to enhancing part provenance and authenticity in aerospace part sales, and to provide transparency by storing digital verification records onto the blockchain ledger for all to see,” said Lisa Butters, general manager of Honeywell’s GoDirect Trade online marketplace. “Our mission is to build the first aerospace marketplace that customers can confidently buy quality parts from. Our work with Honeywell PMT, SecureMarking and iTRACE is bringing new levels of security to the aviation industry.”

Honeywell says blockchain is a highly secure, decentralized database that is crowd-sourced by all its authorized users. Each user that Honeywell allows has a copy of the database and knows its contents in real time. Like fans watching a football game in the stands, these users can look at the scoreboard to see the same data simultaneously.

“We help companies solve the problem of securely connecting their physical parts to their blockchain digital ledgers with a 2DMI mark that is laser-etched onto the identification plate, ranging in size from 0.1 mm by 0.1 mm to 5 mm by 5 mm,” said iTRACE founder and CEO Mark Manning. “Together with Honeywell, we can now cost-effectively secure, track, trace and authenticate any part, anywhere in the world, creating the provenance for that part throughout its life cycle.”

This anti-counterfeit blockchain technology will have a far-reaching impact in aerospace, where parts change ownership an average of four times throughout their life cycle. A repair technician will be able to scan a code and shine a light on the identification plate to verify authenticity of the part and see where the part has physically traveled during its lifetime. Every stop the part makes on its journey is tracked on the blockchain ledger to verify an aircraft part’s history and provide new levels of transparency for customers.

“Honeywell is helping us provide new levels of security necessary in the aerospace industry to link physical parts in a supply chain to its digital records,” said Daniel Stanton, president of SecureMarking. “We use upconverting nanoparticle ink to create physically unclonable codes, bringing the ability for every aerospace part to be stored on the blockchain network.”

Textron Aviation is strengthening its Asia Pacific (APAC) service offerings with the acquisition of Premiair Aviation Maintenance, an Australian Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service provider. Previously named an Authorized Service Facility (ASF), Premiair now joins the Textron Aviation company-owned global support network to service Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker products at service center locations strategically located throughout Australia.

“Textron Aviation has been steadily investing in service options for the Asia Pacific region to ensure customers flying all Textron Aviation aircraft receive the exceptional support they expect,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president of Global Customer Support at Textron Aviation. “Throughout the past year, we substantially increased our regional footprint, capabilities and parts availability. The Premiair team demonstrated their commitment to quality, relationships and customer care as an ASF, and now we are excited to welcome them to Textron Aviation.”

Premiair operates in locations across Australia, including Melbourne, Gold Coast (Coolangatta), and Western Australia (Jandakot). The company’s footprint spans major markets in Australia and will allow Textron Aviation customers in the region close access to industry-leading aircraft maintenance and support, including avionics services and upgrades, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, structural and component repair and overhaul and refurbishment.

The acquisition of Premiair follows other Textron Aviation investments in the Asia Pacific region, including a service and parts room expansion at the Singapore Service Center, an increase in the number of regional field service representatives, the opening of a new parts warehouse in Australia, and the establishment of a new service location in Manila. The company also continued to invest in mobile service units (MSUs) and grew the specially outfitted fleet of maintenance trucks to 75 units worldwide.

Texas Aircraft Manufacturing announced today that the Hondo, Texas-based company delivered its first new-generation Colt-SL S-LSA to Richard (Ricky) Youschak, of Gainesville, Florida.

“I cannot express how happy and proud I am of our entire team. Just a year ago, the Colt S-LSA was still in development, and we had just opened the doors at our facility here in Hondo, Texas,” Texas Aircraft Manufacturing’s co-founder, Matheus Grande said. “To be here today and to deliver our first Texas-built Colt is truly a blessing.”

“It is also exceptionally gratifying to have Colt number one going to Ricky, a young man who exemplifies what light sport aircraft are all about,” he said. “He and his father were looking for an aircraft that they can both enjoy flying. Ricky is a private pilot and his father has a sport pilot certificate. The Colt fits both of their needs. It is an extremely modern, capable and safe airplane that is not only fun to fly, but extremely efficient for their frequent recreational flights.”

“We looked at several new LSAs, and while they all had their merits, the all-new Colt really stood out as something special,” Ricky said. “The Colt flies like a much larger aircraft, so the transition from the 172 to the Colt was very easy for me.”

“While the new Dynon EFIS and airframe parachute were strongly in the Colt’ favor, the biggest advantage was when my father and I visited the factory in Hondo, Texas, we saw the pride and passion that went into building the Colt,” he said. “They have truly made the whole experience delightful for my family and me. That kind of passion and attention to detail has to create an outstanding airplane.”

“Texas Aircraft is raising the bar on quality, safety, and service,” Richard Youschak, Sr., said. “Their professional staff made the experience of buying our airplane fun from the design phase through delivery, and their exceptional service didn’t end there. I’m extremely happy with our Colt and Texas Aircraft.”

One of the truly ‘special touches’ provided by Texas Aircraft was an orange and blue, University of Florida Gators inspired paint scheme.

“I’m studying Nuclear Engineering at UF, so I am really looking forward to showing off my ‘Gator Pride’ at all the airports as my father and I fly throughout northern Florida, the Bahamas, and, to and from, my family home in Fort Myers,” Ricky said. “My father and I enjoy flying together and our new Colt will be the perfect airplane for us to share our airborne adventures for years to come.”

“I can’t tell you how happy everyone at Texas Aircraft is about being able to help Ricky and his family achieve their dream of aircraft ownership. Giving people the gift of affordable, reliable, and safe aircraft operation was the reason we developed the Colt S-LSA in the first place,” Grande said. “We are extremely grateful to the entire Youschak family for putting their faith and trust in Texas Aircraft.”

About the Texas Aircraft Colt-SL S-LSA Performance Specifications and Features:

• Engine Type: 100 horsepower Rotax 912 ULS
• Propeller Type: Sterna composite, three-blade
• Maximum Speed at Sea Level: 119 KIAS
• Cruise Speed at 75% power: 105 KIAS
• Semi-cantilever, high-wing design
• All aviation-grade aluminum airframe with all solid metal rivets
• Wide cabin with welded Chromoly passenger safety cell
• Four-point passenger safety harnesses
• Airframe ballistic parachute system
• Dynon 10” SkyView HDX touchscreen display with Synthetic Vision with 3D graphics
• Dynon Mode-S Transponder with ADS-B Out/In and TIS traffic
• Dynon WAAS enabled GPS Receiver
• Dynon digital autopilot with Level Button
• Dynon Electronic Engine Monitoring System
• Assembled with pride in Texas

 

Representatives of Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) has partnered with Lycoming to be the exclusive direct-to-customer provider of Plane-Power alternators and alternator assemblies for a factory overhauled and rebuilt engine.

“As the manufacturer of Plane-Power alternators and components, we have been providing alternators and accessories to Lycoming for all of their factory overhauled and rebuilt engines for a long time,” stated Keith Bagley, president, Hartzell Engine Technologies.  “The primary reason that we are now transitioning to the direct-to-customer supplier for these components, including full alternator assemblies and pullies, is to provide much better delivery and direct factory support to the end-customer.”

“By eliminating the added steps of shipping to Lycoming and then to the customer, we can respond to the customer’s needs, and correct any problems, faster and more efficiently,” he says. “In addition, should an owner/operator want to upgrade their Plane-Power alternator, the factory-direct order model will make that process a lot easier.”

Bagley also explained that while customers will now buy their Plane-Power alternators and assemblies directly from Hartzell Engine Technologies in the majority of cases, there are some unique situations where, depending on engine model and configuration, alternator brackets and belts will continue to be installed and/or supplied with some Lycoming factory overhauled and rebuilt engines.

Because the transition is happening very quickly, Bagley provided additional details that will help clarify some key points:

• Customers who take delivery of their Lycoming factory overhauled or rebuilt engines, prior to January 06, 2020, which include Lycoming factory-supplied alternators are still required to return an alternator with their exchange core engine.
• Customers who order Lycoming factory overhauled or rebuilt engines on or after January 06, 2020, may keep their existing alternators or replace them at their discretion based on either the condition of the alternator or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) where applicable.
• Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1154, FAA-Approved Starters and Alternators, will continue to be an active document.
• The next revision of Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1154, (S.I.1154W) will provide additional HET part numbers for alternators and alternator assemblies available directly from Hartzell Engine Technologies.

“The end-goal of this process is to ensure that aircraft owner/operators and their maintenance providers will enjoy a greatly improve overall customer experience when ordering and installing our Plane-Power alternators and components,” Bagley says. “In addition, should they ever experience an issue, having direct contact with our technical experts here at the factory will make that whole process easier and more efficient.”

Click here to see the Lycoming Service Letter No. L277 explaining the transition.

Thoroughbred Aviation has introduced a new service to manage aircraft maintenance. According to statistics, approximately 70 percent of business aircraft operations do not have dedicated maintenance personnel. With longer intervals between scheduled maintenance, more reliable aircraft, and a looming shortage of qualified technical personnel, many aircraft owners and operators are left without adequate technical resources. Thoroughbred says their Maintenance Management Service (MMS) is designed to solve this for aircraft operations under Part 91.