Category: Commercial

CPaT Announces New Partnership with Lithuanian-Based ACMI and Charter, GetJet Airlines

CPaT Global, a provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, has been awarded a new contract with GetJet Airlines. CPaT will be providing GetJet Airlines with their Pilot Training Suite consisting of Aircraft Systems and General Subjects, FMS Skills Trainer, 3D Cockpit Trainer and 3D Walk Around Trainer for their Airbus A 320 CEO and Boeing B737 NG fleets. Additionally, CPaT will be proving GetJet with their Airbus A320 CEO and Boeing B737 NG cabin Crew Training Suite.

“We are thrilled to partner with GetJet Airlines, providing advanced learning solutions,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, vice president of sales. “Our comprehensive training programs are designed to improve operational efficiency and safety, ensuring their pilots and cabin crew are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles.”

“We are excited to partner with CPaT to elevate our crew training programs,” said Vasilijs Kazaks, VP crew training at GetJet Airlines. “GetJet prioritizes safety as a core value. This partnership with CPaT strengthens this commitment by offering a tailored training program that addresses the specific needs of GetJet’s fleet and operational environment.”

GetJet Airlines is based in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Boom Supersonic Completes Construction of Overture Superfactory 

Boom Supersonice held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Overture Superfactory, celebrating the completion of construction. Located at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Overture Superfactory is the first supersonic airliner factory in the United States. Overture is Boom’s supersonic airliner, capable of flying twice as fast as today’s commercial planes on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

 “Construction of the Overture Superfactory represents a major milestone toward ensuring the United States’ continued leadership in aerospace manufacturing,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “Supersonic flight will transform air travel, and Overture provides a much-needed innovative alternative for airlines across the globe.” 

This first assembly line has the capacity to produce 33 Overture aircraft per year, valued at more than $6 billion. Boom plans to build an additional assembly line, scaling to produce 66 supersonic airliners annually. The Overture Superfactory campus will also include a delivery center where airlines including United, American, and Japan Airlines will receive their supersonic aircraft. 

“As the state that was first in flight, North Carolina is excited to see Boom’s progress toward delivering the world’s first sustainable supersonic airliner,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our state has the skilled workforce, infrastructure and perfect location to help Boom revolutionize air travel.”

North Carolina economists estimate that the full Boom manufacturing program will grow the state’s economy by at least $32.3 billion over 20 years, with the Superfactory directly adding more than 2,400 jobs. 

“The Piedmont Triad region is an economic powerhouse, helping solidify North Carolina’s place as the top state for business. Boom’s Overture Superfactory, which will produce a paradigm-changing airliner, showcases the new and innovative projects that are bringing jobs and investment here,” said North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger.

Built by BE&K Building Group and designed by BRPH, the Overture Superfactory will be LEED certified and is expected to be at least 40% more energy efficient compared to similar manufacturing facilities. 

With the building now complete, Boom will focus on operationalizing the production floor. In partnership with tooling supplier Advanced Integration Technology (AIT), Boom will begin procuring and installing tooling into the Superfactory, beginning with an advanced test cell unit. As the first major piece of equipment to be installed, the test cell will be used to develop manufacturing processes, optimize the flow of the assembly line, and prepare staff for Overture production. 

“We look forward to Boom’s success in its mission to bring back commercial supersonic flight and help the U.S. maintain its leadership in aviation innovation,” said Paul Mengert, chair of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, elected leaders, and the local community who will continue to give Boom a warm welcome to the Triad.” 

The construction completion event came shortly after the inaugural flight of XB-1, the supersonic demonstrator aircraft for Overture, which represents a major milestone toward the return of supersonic air travel. XB-1 has received a first-of-its-kind Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The XB-1 flight test program continues to progress in Mojave, California, and will confirm the aircraft’s performance and handling qualities up to and through supersonic speeds. 

AAR Expands Electronics Distribution Relationship with OTTO Engineering 

AAR has signed a territory expansion agreement that expands its Americas-based electronics distribution relationship with OTTO Engineering, Inc. (OTTO) into the APAC region.  

Under the agreement, AAR will distribute OTTO’s extensive line of electromechanical switches, grips, and joysticks to the commercial and defense markets. The agreement leverages AAR’s international presence and market expertise to deliver a broader range of products. 

“OTTO is excited to embark on this channel expansion with our existing partner,” said Angelo Assimakopoulos, Director of Sales at OTTO.  “AAR’s ability to service the global market with our extensive aerospace control products offering is the right alignment to proliferate and grow our business in the APAC region.”

“AAR is pleased to grow our relationship with OTTO and expand our electromechanical product offering into APAC,” said Darren Spiegel, vice president and general manager of AAR Electronics. “Pairing AAR’s customer-centric aerospace focus with OTTO’s design expertise will drive further innovation as the industry places a growing emphasis on electrification.”

flydocs Appoints Smith as CCO 

flydocs has appointed Andy Smith as its chief commercial officer and a member of the flydocs leadership team. Smith, an international sales and marketing professional, joins flydocs with more than 27 years of strong business development, leadership, and customer-centric experience.

Smith’s career spans across his leadership roles with global responsibilities includes creating and implementing customer engagement and revenue-generating strategies, displaying leadership acumen in complex solution sales, pipeline management, new business development, and marketing strategies. In the role of CCO, Smith will lead flydocs’ commercial and marketing team, focusing on devising the business growth strategy, orchestrating resources to support customer needs and requirements, and identifying growth opportunities for the business, the company says. He will work with the flydocs’ leadership team to establish its position as a preferred partner in aviation digital asset management.

“We are delighted to welcome Andy toflydocs and our leadership team. His rich experience in strategic leadership and sales & marketing will be instrumental for us in executing our organizational plans, forging stronger partnerships with our customers, and driving growth at flydocs,” said André Fischer, CEO flydocs. “As we navigate through the future and advance our strategic roadmap, with Andy’s widespread vision for growth we look forward to taking flydocs to new heights.”

Smith, added “I am truly excited to join flydocs as it continues to evolve on its journey ofgrowth and transformation. With my extensive global expertise in providing strategic and tactical direction to commercial departments across organizations, I look forward to shaping the next phase of our journey, delivering superior results for customers, and generating value for our stakeholders.”

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in technical communication.

Vallair Appoints Fermaut to BD Manager –Aerostructures and Engines

Vallair announced that François Fermaut has assumed the role of sales and business development manager for the aerostructures and engines divisions based in Châteauroux, France. Fermaut will be responsible for expanding awareness of Vallair’s expert repair capabilities with a team that has grown from two technicians to a skilled workforce of 125 in the past eight years.

Fermaut joined Vallair in 2016, just as the organization gained approval for its aerostructure component repair facility and he has overseen its transition from a solely internal service to one that now provides more than 90% of its repair capabilities to external customers – airlines, parts traders and lessors alike.  The shop also broadened its scope to include A330 widebody components alongside its proven expertise with the A320 family.

“It has taken time to build from zero into a highly competitive repair shop” explains Fermaut. “This makes me very proud as I take on the challenging new role which encompasses our new engines shop.  I have been in the aviation sector for more than 25 years and it is rewarding to see more and more opportunities as customers begin to recognize the cost advantages offered by Vallair’s total repair capability, aligned with AFRA accredited disassembly options all in one place.”

Fermaut goes on to say that one of the main strengths of the Vallair facility is the team’s extensive parts knowledge which enables the business to closely match the market value for repairs of specific parts. “Our aim is to work in partnership with customers to find the best economical solutions for their aircraft and engine assets.  It helps that we have access to technical specialists who determine whether it is best to repair or dismantle a component.”

Vallair recently opened its engine shop offering a range of MRO services for CFM56 – 5A and -5B and V2500 series engines. Services include the disassembly and reassembly of modules; minor repairs & inspections; borescope inspections; preservation; leasing of engines, APUs and engine bays.  Borescope capability will soon include Trent 700, PW 4000, CF6-80, Leap, and PW1100 engines.

“From parts distribution, to dismantling, through to materials recycling, Vallair is continuously working on new strategies for the management of end-of-life aircraft” continues Fermaut. “However, it remains a challenge to secure the parts and manpower that we need. As requests for our services continue to increase, we are stepping up our aircraft engineer training programs in partnership with Aircraft Academy, part of the Vallair Group. We are also working closely with local schools and colleges to develop courses for skills and qualifications – this is vital to the central region of France, and also to Vallair.”

Fermaut’s previous experience includes senior roles at SA Composité Industrie, director of MRO operations at RUAG Aerospace (Suisse), and manager at Latécoère Aéroservice responsible for aerostructure composites and painting. 

Barnes Aerospace and RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada Sign Long-Term Agreement for Aerospace Engine Component Repair

During the recent MRO Americas show in Chicago, Barnes Aerospace and RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a significant milestone: a long-term extension of a repair services agreement. As industry leaders in aerospace aftermarket solutions, the companies are committed to partnering on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of highly complex parts used in aero engine cases, rotating components, shrouds, and seals.

The newly signed extension continues Barnes Aerospace’s and Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) longstanding business relationship, which dates back to the 1970s. The agreement allows the companies to collaborate further on developing repairs for new and existing aerospace engines.

Ian Reason, senior vice president of Barnes and president of Barnes Aerospace, emphasized the achievement’s significance: “By leveraging our extensive repair capabilities, expertise, and capacity, we provide quality repairs with industry-leading turn-around-time (TAT) for Pratt & Whitney. We take pride in meeting the growing demand for support of existing and new engine programs and are excited for the opportunity to work on new repair development solutions that add value to our customers.”

“As global leaders in aerospace, P&WC has more than 68,000 engines in service, which requires us to build a network of trusted service partners to keep our engines in flight and to ensure timely turn-around-time for engines undergoing maintenance activities,” said Irene Makris, vice president, customer service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “This agreement underscores our commitment to advancing engines in flight.”

Barnes Aerospace global facilities are repair stations certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and other regulatory authorities as required. We provide services to some of the world’s largest commercial airlines and aviation original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This agreement solidifies a business relationship spanning more than half a century and supports new repairs for engines currently in development.

SKF UK and ERIKS Announce Partnership at Maintec 2024

SKF UK has announced the launch of its SKF Maintenance Partner program in EMEA and that ERIKS will be the first SKF maintenance partner in the UK and Ireland. SKF maintenance partner status is a new level that recognizes authorized distributors that can offer industrial customers more than just a traditional transactional relationship.

SKF Maintenance Partners have SKF’s support in implementing best practices, and always use SKF components for repairs. As a highly skilled service supplier, ERIKS uses its industry-specific knowledge to perform root-cause failure analyses and advanced troubleshooting. It is recognized by SKF as A knowledgeable advisor on maintenance matters, trained by SKF and with access to the very latest SKF technology.

ERIKS UK & Ireland has been appointed by SKF due to its investment in the SKF brand and its strategic alignment in adding long term value to customers through engineering capability, innovation and knowledge and meeting the high-level criteria and accreditation process set by SKF. To support this partnership ERIKS is extending the range of SKF products it stocks and will exclusively use SKF products in its UK repair facilities.

“We are delighted and proud to announce this significant extension to our partnership with a world-leading company such as SKF,” said Pamela Bingham, CEO of ERIKS UK & Ireland. “To become SKF’s Maintenance Partner we have had to meet a stringent set of requirements including support for the full range of SKF products and services in bearings, lubrication, maintenance products and condition monitoring.”

The criteria to be an SKF Maintenance Partner is exacting but ERIKS was able to demonstrate through the accreditation process that it could be both an authorized distributor and a condition monitoring partner, that it had a certified repair workshop network as well as regional teams for application engineering and project design. Further requirements included demonstrating SKF product knowledge throughout the Service Center network as well as specialist SKF technical knowledge at its Power Transmission Center of Expertise.

“By choosing an SKF Maintenance Partner, you’re not just choosing a service provider; you’re selecting a partner dedicated to enhancing your operations with skilled engineers and technicians, backed by the robust support of SKF,” Ian Peverill, managing director of SKF UK, and aftermarket lead for Europe Northwest said. “This exciting new program gives our customers a clear pathway to access the extensive scope of knowledge and innovation SKF can offer. Witnessing the skill and professionalism of the ERIKS team during the rigorous accreditation process gives me great confidence in appointing ERIKS as our first SKF maintenance partner. We look forward to elevating maintenance standards together.”

Nycote Laboratories Acquires New Californian Headquarters

Nycote Laboratories Corporation a provider of advanced coatings solutions, announced a significant expansion with the purchase of a modern detached industrial building. This strategic move underscores Nycote’s commitment to meeting the growing demands of its customers and further solidifies its position as a leader in the aerospace, defense and related high tech industries.

The newly acquired facility, located at Avenue Stanford, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, will serve as a hub for Nycote’s expanded operations, providing ample space for research and development, manufacturing, and administrative functions. This investment represents a pivotal moment in Nycote’s growth trajectory, allowing the company to enhance its capabilities and drive innovation across its product lines.

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of our new facility, which marks a significant milestone for Nycote Laboratories,” said Marcie Washburn, CEO and president of Nycote Laboratories. “This expansion not only allows us to increase our production capacity but also provides us with the platform to invest in our research and development efforts. We are confident that this investment will enable us to better serve our customers and position us for sustained growth in the years to come. Our origins were in the aerospace industry of Southern California and I am very pleased that we have been able to continue our commitment to the region”

The purpose designed premises will feature advanced manufacturing equipment and technology, enabling Nycote to optimize its production processes and maintain the highest standards of quality control. Additionally, the expanded space will accommodate Nycote’s growing team of dedicated professionals, fostering collaboration and innovation.

ST Engineering Expands Presence in the U.S.with Third Aircraft Maintenance Hangar in Pensacola

ST Engineering broke ground for its third aircraft maintenance hangar at the Pensacola International Airport today, marking another milestone in its growth and expansion plans in Pensacola. The new 167,000 sq ft state-of-the-art hangar will be equipped with two bays that can service widebody aircraft. It is expected to contribute an additional 500,000 manhours annually when fully operational in the second half of 2026.

The new hangar is part of ST Engineering’s planned airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) complex in Pensacola which will comprise four hangar facilities and is projected to generate over 1,700 jobs when fully completed. It is co-funded by ST Engineering, Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the State of Florida and other state and federal organizations.

“The new hangar will contribute significant economic benefits for Pensacola and the surrounding region through the creation of quality jobs and increased demand for goods and services. We look forward to the continued partnership with ST Engineering that will help to position Pensacola as a regional center of excellence for the aviation MRO industry,” said Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves.

Jeffrey Lam, president commercial aerospace, ST Engineering, said, “We continue to look
to the future with the construction of our third hangar in Pensacola that will expand our airframe
MRO capacity, allowing us to better meet our customers’ growing maintenance needs, drive
business growth and strengthen our presence in the region. The new hangar also underscores
our longstanding commitment to contribute to the progress of Pensacola’s aviation MRO
industry and the region’s economic growth. We are very thankful for the continued support
from the City of Pensacola and the State of Florida as we see our MRO complex project
through to fruition.”

Timothy McBride, ST Engineering North America president, said, “Our expansion in Pensacola
aligns with the Group’s commitment to invest in its core business and is poised to strengthen
our aerospace MRO network in the U.S. and globally. As we deepen our partnership with the
City of Pensacola and play a major role in its growth, we look forward to facilitating job creation
in the community and strengthening Northwest Florida’s status as a national hub for the
aviation industry.”

In line with its pursuit of greater environmental sustainability in its operations, ST Engineering
has partnered with Florida Power & Light (FPL) to reduce the carbon footprint of its hangars
and support its energy needs. ST Engineering’s hangars in Pensacola receive renewable
energy from FPL’s offsite solar farm through the latter’s SolarTogether program. The hangars
are also equipped with green and smart technology features such as light harvesting skylights
to lower electricity consumption and integrated vertical lift machines to improve operational
efficiency.

In the U.S., besides Pensacola, ST Engineering currently operates airframe MRO facilities in
Mobile, Alabama and San Antonio, Texas. It also operates a nacelle manufacturing and MRO
facility in Middle River, Maryland, and offers aircraft engine washes through EcoServices in
Wethersfield, Connecticut

TAP Air Portugal Increases Efficiency with NAVBLUE’s Integrated EFB Environment


Portugal’s flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal, has chosen NAVBLUE’s Mission+ FLIGHT and Flysmart+ solutions, which will support their evolving Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) requirements for a more integrated and connected digital Flight Operations environment TAP Air Portugal, that has been using NAVBLUE solutions since 2020, will now increase operational efficiency with Mission+ FLIGHT, the integrated electronic flight folder module of Mission+, NAVBLUE’s Electronic Flight Assistant, while reducing crew workload for pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight performance computations with Flysmart+.

Mission+ FLIGHT is the integrated electronic flight folder module for mission management that provides briefing packages, flight follow-up and reporting capabilities to pilots. The solution manages the data workflow between the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) systems and the crew’s application on the flight deck. It also allows to monitor and archive all the exchanged mission data such as flight acceptance and post flight reports. Mission+ Flight increases efficiency reducing manual entries and risk of errors and enhances pilot’s situational awareness while reducing their workload. Before and during flight, the solution provides briefing packages automatically on pilots’, operations team’s and dispatchers’ tablets.

It is also compatible with FOMAX Aircraft Interface Device, a Flight Operations & Maintenance
Exchanger currently equipped across parts of TAP’s fleet, that allows automatic retrieval of mission
critical information overhead at each waypoint in the Mission+ FLIGHT Navlog.
Flysmart+, NAVBLUE’s aircraft performance and Weight & Balance calculation tool, is integrated
with Mission+ FLIGHT:
● Launch buttons for all modules directly from Mission+ FLIGHT;
● Data communications between both solutions, allowing automatic retrieval of information
from Mission+ FLIGHT to Flysmart+, such as departure and arrival airports, aircraft type,
or registration number.