Category: Commercial

Following technology trials and aircraft maintenance technician training, Air India is the latest airline to adopt GE’s 360 Foam Wash to help maintain its GEnx-powered Boeing 787 fleet.

Air India previously received a technical license from GE Aviation to use GE’s patented 360 Foam Wash system on its GEnx-1B aircraft engines, and has now industrialized the innovative cleaning system into its maintenance process.

GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an alternative to the water wash method. It helps restore engine performance leading to reductions in fuel consumption. The process involves injecting a specially-formulated, proprietary solution that removes dust and dirt particles in the engine.

“Air India prides itself on our sustained commitment to adopt innovative technology, like GE’s 360 Foam Wash. This will have a significant positive impact on AI’s fuel efficiencies besides curbing the CO2 emission appreciably. In 2022, we expect to attain fuel savings of approximately 230,000 gallons and a reduction of more than 2,200 metric tonnes of CO2 on our fleet of 27 Boeing 787 aircraft, compared to water wash methods,” said Vinod Hejmadi, director Finance, Air India.          

During technology tests with its GEnx engines, the 360 Foam Wash solution allowed Air India to improve engine performance by reducing build-up of deposits in the engine, lowering engine exhaust temperatures, and improving engine compressor efficiency.

The system is self-contained, allowing it to be used inside maintenance hangars or outdoors. GE’s 360 Foam Wash is approved for use on multiple GE engine programs, including models of GE90, GEnx, CF34 and CF6.

Including Air India, seven airline customers have been awarded licenses for 360 Foam Wash.

“GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an example of GE Aviation’s innovative maintenance solutions to help keep our engine fleets flying with improved performance for our customers,” said Vikram Rai, South Asia and Indonesia country leader for GE Aviation. “Air India has always been at the forefront of technological developments, and we are delighted that they will be using 360 Foam Wash technology.”

VD Gulf, a VDT subgroup company and one of the largest independent MRO service providers in the Middle East, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a contract to conduct heavy checks on four Boeing 747-400 aircraft operated by Rossiya Airlines.

The heavy checks (C-checks) will be conducted by VD Gulf’s highly skilled engineers in Sharjah, UAE, at VD Gulf’s ultra-modern hangar facility located adjacent to Sharjah International Airport.

The first of the four Rossiya Airlines aircraft covered by this agreement arrived in Sharjah in late November.

“VD Gulf highly values its long-standing relationship with Rossiya Airlines. This agreement underscores VD Gulf’s sector-leading capability to conduct heavy maintenance checks on Boeing 747 aircraft, and I would like to thank Rossiya Airlines for once again putting their confidence and trust in VD Gulf,” Ayrat Gilmutdinov, VD Gulf’s Director Commercial, said.

VD Gulf is an independent MRO services provider approved by multiple regulatory authorities offering unlimited maintenance services on Boeing 747-400/-8, 777, 737CL/NG, and Airbus A320ceo family/A320ceo family aircraft.

Rossiya Airlines JSC, part of the Aeroflot Group, is one of Russia’s oldest and largest airlines. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia, and operates a fleet of more than 115 aircraft, including nine Boeing 747s and 10 Boeing 777s.

AMETEK Hughes-Treitler is proud to announce that AMETEK MRO Drake Air has been named as an Authorized Repair Center for all Hughes-Treitler commercial products, effective Aug. 31, 2021. With this agreement, Drake Air is approved to solicit repair business globally. Drake Air now has exclusive access to OEM documentation, technical support, and materials to better support the wide range of customers flying with Hughes-Treitler products.

“Hughes-Treitler is pleased to partner with Drake Air,” states Don Furmanski, Business Unit Vice-President, Hughes-Treitler/Rotron. “Drake Air is considered an industry leader in commercial and defense related aerospace aftermarket MRO solutions. Drake Air provides Hughes-Treitler customers with a worldwide network of sales professionals and MRO capabilities that further supports our global customer base.”

“The AMETEK Hughes-Treitler product line has a strong suite of Thermal Management products deployed across commercial and military platforms,” said David Bentley, Divisional Vice President and Business Manager, Drake Air. “Becoming an AMETEK Hughes-Treitler Authorized Repair Center reflects our unwavering commitment and dedication to continuous improvement for our customers. This partnership will enable our ability to further expand into new markets and strengthen the AMETEK presence, delivering best-in-class service. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Hughes-Treitler and are committed to delivering value to our customers through offering comprehensive aftermarket component repair.”

Global aviation software provider Ramco Systems announced that it will implement its Aviation M&E MRO Suite V5.9 at Pathfinder Aviation, a heli-charter operator with services ranging from survey and exploration, firefighting, heli-skiing, Department of Defense contracts, oil and gas, utility support, aerial cinema and more. Ramco’s full suite Aviation Software will integrate and automate various operations at Pathfinder Aviation empowering them with a one stop solution to cater to all their complex business needs.

The next-gen Aviation Software will offer Pathfinder modules covering Maintenance, Supply Chain Management, Flight Operations, Safety & Quality and Finance, and will seamlessly integrate with Pathfinder Aviation’s existing HR and payroll system, thus replacing multiple legacy applications. The solution will also automate the duty tracking of pilots thereby providing visibility across departments, tracking profitability at an aircraft level and enabling quicker turnaround time for aircraft.

In addition, with its digital enablers like state-of-the art mobile apps, Electronic Flight Bag, HUBs, Electronic Signature Capability, Dashboards, and offline mobile application capability, Ramco will help Pathfinder manage its remote operations with zero connectivity and help achieve paperless operations.

“We were seeking a best-in class Aviation ERP software that would keep up with our rapid expansion plans and provide a next generation work experience for our employees. Ramco’s strong footprint in the Heli segment together with the advanced capabilities of its Aviation Software were key in our selection,” Rogan Parker, CEO, Pathfinder Aviation, said.

“The addition of Pathfinder Aviation to our growing clientele underscores Ramco’s track record as a leading software provider in the heli-operator segment,” Manoj Kumar Singh, chief customer officer – Aviation, Aerospace & Defense, Ramco Systems, said. “Infused with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning capabilities, we are confident that Pathfinder will be able to optimize its process, improve efficiency and continue to maintain its position as an innovative helicopter transport operator.”

Ramco Aviation, Aerospace & Defense is trusted by 24,000+ users to manage 4,000+ aircraft globally. Accessible on cloud and mobile, Ramco Aviation & Defense Software continues to innovate with ‘Anywhere Apps’, significantly reducing transaction time both during aircraft-on-ground (AOG) conditions and critical aircraft turnarounds. Ramco is changing the paradigm of enterprise software with Artificial Intelligence based solutions, powered by cool new features such as digital task cards, offline capability, chatbots, mail bots, HUBs and cognitive solutions. With 80+ Aviation organizations onboard, Ramco is the solution of choice for top heli-operators, leading defense companies, space launch vehicles, UAS/Drones, eVTOL and multiple MROs around the world.

About Pathfinder Aviation:

Founded in 2001 to fill a void in Alaska’s utility helicopter market, Pathfinder Aviation has been delivering crews to remote locations and providing external load support for precision relocation of goods and supplies for both the government and private sector.

Today, Pathfinder operates worldwide, year-round, in both day and night VFR and IFR conditions. This allows us to attract versatile crews and highly qualified management. We are confident that our team’s experience will exceed your expectations, both operationally and professionally.

Russelectric, A Siemens Business, a leading manufacturer of automatic transfer switches and power control systems, offers its Paralleling System, ideal for ensuring that critical loads experience no interruption when transferring between all power source assets in airports. The System can be configured for peak shaving and utility-sponsored load curtailment programs. The Paralleling System also offers high resiliency, power continuity and security for critical airports.

Russelectric Paralleling Systems incorporate dual, redundant, hot synchronized programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for system control. Discrete switches, meters, and control devices are standard to allow manual control capability in the event that both system PLCs fail. With the Russelectric Paralleling System, users get soft loading transfer and phase lock synchronizing when paralleling with the utility, which reduces transients and controls the loading to the engine generators.

Russelectric provides basic or custom SCADA for local or remote monitoring of all power system functions. Custom SCADA systems allow users to monitor system operation, acknowledge alarms and review PLC setpoints. Realistic training simulators are also available.

All Paralleling Systems are UL listed. Selector switches are provided for open/closed transition, automatic/manual paralleling of generators and utility sources, and automatic/manual retransfer between both sources of power.
The Paralleling System offers a choice of either momentary paralleling with the utility or sustained paralleling for soft loading. Also available is paralleling of generator sets with the utility upon return of the utility source after power interruption.

System operation begins with testing in closed-transition mode with no interruption of the load. Generators are then paralleled with the utility and the load is transferred to them. Upon completion of testing, the load is retransferred through closed-transition to the utility source without disturbance.

Boeing and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. (STAECO) announced plans to create additional capacity for the market-leading 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) to help meet continued strong market demand.

In 2022, Boeing will add two 737-800BCF conversion lines at STAECO’s facility in Jinan, China. The first new line will open in the first quarter of the year, with the second line expected to begin conversions by midyear. Once the two new lines are operational, STAECO will have seven conversion lines dedicated to the 737-800BCF.

“Boeing is pleased to continue growing our strong and mutually beneficial relationship with STAECO by creating additional conversion capacity to meet growing global demand,” said Peter Gao, vice president, Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing for China. “STAECO has exhibited the expertise and track record of delivering quality freighter conversions and will play a critical role in helping Boeing meet our customer commitments today and in the future.”

Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years. Of those, 1,200 will be standard body conversions with Asia carriers accounting for 40 percent of that demand.

“The successful implementation of the 737-800BCF program at STAECO has become a model of cooperation between manufacturer and MRO on passenger-to-freighter conversions,” said Wang Chao, president, STAECO. “We are honored by Boeing’s ongoing trust and partnership in expanding our capacity through a sixth and seventh conversion line, and we look forward to continuing to fulfill our commitments in support of our mutual customers.”

This year, Boeing announced it would create additional 737-800BCF conversion capacity at several sites, including with existing supplier Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO), and with new suppliers Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Costa Rica, KF Aerospace in Canada, and Boeing’s London Gatwick MRO facility in the United Kingdom.

The 737-800BCF is the standard body freighter market leader with more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers. The 737-800BCF offers higher reliability, lower fuel consumption, and lower operating costs per trip compared to other standard-body freighters.

SAUDIA selected Boeing for a suite of services to improve their 787 Dreamliner and 777 fleets’ operational efficiency through digital analytics, and to modify their 777 cabin interiors.

“As ever, SAUDIA is continuously focused on operational efficiency, optimal fleet utilization, and deployment,” said Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy, CEO, SAUDIA. “We see our continued alliance with Boeing and these essential services as an enabler that will help to drive our progress toward this vision.”

SAUDIA will utilize Boeing’s Optimized Maintenance Program (OMP), which uses advanced data analytics to provide detailed insights for improved maintenance operations, and Boeing’s Airplane Health Management (AHM) digital solution, which applies predictive maintenance analytics and diagnostic tools to help improve the quality and speed of maintenance decisions, resulting in improved on-time performance. These services will be combined with Boeing’s OEM engineering and consulting expertise.

“Our Boeing consulting teams have partnered closely with SAUDIA for many years to find new opportunities to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency. We are delighted to continue this partnership by applying our advanced digital solutions,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO, Boeing Global Services. “Similarly, SAUDIA will be able to rely on our 777 interiors engineering expertise throughout the course of their fleet reconfiguration plans.”

Boeing’s interior modification team will partner with SAUDIA to deliver all aspects of their 777 modification, including design, certification, and the supply of parts required for completion.

Last month, Boeing announced the company is bringing a new line of work to its state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility at London Gatwick airport. The company will be modifying 737-800 commercial aircraft into Boeing Converted Freighters and increasing its footprint in the Crawley area.

“This new work for London Gatwick not only is a result of the cargo demand we’re seeing worldwide, but also because of the aviation industry’s valued position in the United Kingdom,” said Sir Martin Donnelly, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing in the UK and Ireland. “From Lossiemouth to Sheffield to Gosport to Crawley, Boeing’s footprint in the UK across defence, commercial and services is robust and growing, and today’s announcement is yet another in recent weeks that demonstrates our partnership here.”

The London Gatwick MRO facility, a £100 million investment completed shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic began, will perform its first freighter conversion for the launch customer Icelease, which announced its first order for 11 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters at the Dubai Airshow today.

Stewart Wingate, chief executive officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “Boeing has made a significant investment at Gatwick by building an impressive new hanger and their new freighter conversion line provides another welcome boost for the airport, for the local people who will work there and for the region’s economy. Boeing’s new line will help meet expected strong demand to convert aircraft into freighters that can carry cargo, which reflects our forecasts that cargo volumes handled at Gatwick could also increase significantly if our future airport plans are realised.”

The conversion line, which will bring the total facility employee count to 130 upon opening, will be located near Boeing’s Gatwick Training Campus, where an additional 100 Boeing employees are based, along with nine full flight simulators, making it the company’s largest combined training centre outside the United States. Across the UK, Boeing has 2,600 employees and spends £2 billion per year in the country’s supply chain.

The Member of Parliament for Crawley, Henry Smith MP, said: “I welcome this exciting news for our constituency. This new line of work is part of a £100 million investment at London Gatwick, increasing Boeing’s already considerable footprint of highly skilled, enduring jobs in the Crawley area, the benefit of which will be felt by many.”

Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years to meet demand. Of those, 1,200 will be standard-body conversions, with nearly 20 percent of that demand coming from European carriers.

The 737-800BCF is the standard body freighter market leader with more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers. The 737-800BCF offers higher reliability, lower fuel consumption, lower operating costs per trip and world-class in-service technical support compared to other standard body freighters.

VD Gulf, a VDT subgroup company and one of the largest independent MRO service providers in the Middle East, announced that it has been awarded a contract to conduct heavy checks on four Boeing 747-400 aircraft operated by Rossiya Airlines.

The heavy checks (C-checks) will be conducted by VD Gulf’s engineers in Sharjah, UAE, at VD Gulf’s ultra-modern hangar facility located adjacent to Sharjah International Airport.

The first of the four Rossiya Airlines aircraft covered by this agreement arrived in Sharjah in late November.

“VD Gulf highly values its long-standing relationship with Rossiya Airlines. This agreement underscores VD Gulf’s sector-leading capability to conduct heavy maintenance checks on Boeing 747 aircraft, and I would like to thank Rossiya Airlines for once again putting their confidence and trust in VD Gulf,” Ayrat Gilmutdinov, VD Gulf’s Director Commercial, said.

VD Gulf is an independent MRO services provider approved by multiple regulatory authorities offering unlimited maintenance services on Boeing 747-400/-8, 777, 737CL/NG, and Airbus A320ceo family/A320ceo family aircraft.

Rossiya Airlines JSC, part of the Aeroflot Group, is one of Russia’s oldest and largest airlines. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia, and operates a fleet of more than 115 aircraft, including nine Boeing 747s and 10 Boeing 777s.