Category: Commercial

IAI Announces Launch of U.S. Innovation Center and Unveils Debut Program, IAI CATALYST

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the launch of its first innovation center in the U.S. and the debut program within it – IAI CATALYST. The innovation center is a groundbreaking initiative of the company alongside the decision to expand its business activities and presence in the U.S.

The American defense market is a leading knowledge-hub for pioneering technological and military infrastructure development regarding the future battlefield. IAI’s new innovation center and the IAI CATALYST program will foster cooperation between IAI and American startup companies while providing them the opportunity to develop technologies alongside our world-renowned experts and partners.

Operated by Starburst Aerospace, IAI CATALYST is a unique five-month business accelerator program, tailored to support emerging startups on their journey to success. The program will focus on several key sectors critical to the future of aerospace innovation including Trusted AI & Autonomy, Quantum Science, Sustainability and Energy Technology, and Space Technology. Selected companies will receive technical and business support and mentorship in addition to financial incentives to accelerate market entry and growth.

IAI already operates a highly successful innovation center in Tel-Aviv, Israel, in which the company is developing new and advanced technological capabilities that integrated into existing and future projects. The center encourages a range of technologies in conjunction with open innovation and organic creativity while supporting intra-organizational innovation and cooperation with the entire Israeli ecosystem, including academia, startup companies, and the IAI’s engineers. IAI invests in companies that demonstrate cutting edge advancements in sectors such as space and satellites, sustainability and renewable energy, biotech, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence.

Chairman of IAI’s Board of Directors, Amir Peretz: “As a global company, which sees the United States as not only a major target market in our worldwide business activities, but also as a partner and ally during the current iron swords war and since the establishment of the state of Israel, IAI is acting to increase connections and collaborations between it and American companies, with the aim of encouraging groundbreaking innovation. The innovation center is an important pillar in deepening the relationships between IAI and American technological companies, and of course with government officials and the country’s armed forces.”

“The innovation that has characterized IAI throughout its seventy-year history now has an important additional platform from which to showcase its capabilities and secure its future, by means of the inauguration of the center in Virginia, which that reflect the company’s strength and is the basis for extensive collaboration in the future,” said Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO. “I am confident that through this center we can promote joint business and technological activities for the benefit of both Israel and the United States of America, which continue together to pave the way of partnership through respect, collaboration, and support.”

IAI vice president of North American affairs, Amir Geva: “The opening of an innovation center in Virginia, reflects the company’s strategy, namely, to work to deepen business and technological activities with our partners in the United States. These ventures demonstrate a combination of the IAI’s rich history with the American defense market alongside joint future initiatives, and their launch is a proactive step to strengthen IAI’s business activities in the U.S.”

IAI’s vice president of innovation and R&D, Eitan Eshel: “After the international success of IAI’s innovation center in Tel Aviv at the heart of the “Start-Up Nation”, the innovation center we are now establishing in Virginia is another expression of IAI’s commitment to the research and development of innovative technologies, in which hundreds of millions of dollars are invested every year. The uniqueness of the innovation center is embodied in the working model of a startup, providing startups and entrepreneurs from academia, accompanied by experienced engineers from IAI, with a path that leads them to develop unique technologies and demonstrate their capabilities within weeks. Israel Aerospace Industries continues to be at the forefront of technology and provide its customers and the world with products of the future using the most advanced technologies.”

IAI North America president and CO, Stephen Elliott: “We are excited about the opening of this innovation center here in the U.S. It demonstrates IAI’s commitment to promoting cutting-edge technological innovation and opportunities by investing in local U.S. startups. The work we will do there will help create the next generation of leading technology through collaboration with IAI from the very beginning.”

Delta TechOps Engine Maintenance Team Reaches Milestone

The TechOps team hosted a first look at their new LEAP engine shop late last year. It marks the last chapter of adding next-generation repair capabilities for all three major engine platforms for the TechOps group. Pairing CFM LEAP services with their already established Rolls-Royce TRENT and Pratt & Whitney GTF capabilities sets them up for success as an industry-leading MRO provider, the company said in a release.
 
The TechOps team says it looks forward to an official grand opening and the induction of the first LEAP engine. The company has availability to service additional engine maintenance needs.

From specialized shops to access to used serviceable material through their partners at Delta Material Services, the group says it is ready to support operators of PW2000, PW4000, CF6, or CFM56 engine maintenance.

AvionTEq Enters into a Multi-Year Exclusive Agreement with Flight Data Systems for HHMPI and Flight Data Readouts

AvionTEq announced that they have entered into a multi-year exclusive contract with Flight Data Systems (FDS) for supply of HHMPI (Handheld Multi-Purpose Interface) units and flight data readout services.

Flight Data Systems (FDS) stands as a premier provider of readout reports, catering to MRO facilities, commercial airlines, and defense organizations on a global scale. FDS offers a variety of comprehensive FDR, CVR, and DLR readout analysis reports, serving a diverse clientele comprising over 300 customers worldwide. With 440+ databases covering fixed-wing and rotorcraft airframes, FDS offers an extensive range of options. The company possesses the capability to craft databases in-house, ensuring tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of its clients.

“This contract, valued in the millions (USD), shows a significant commitment to Flight Data Systems, the HHMPI, and our Readouts Services,” mentions Shane LaPlante, VP of sales and marketing at Flight Data Systems. “We are looking forward to continuing to build upon our solid partnership with AvionTEq to provide services and products that ensure their customers’ operations are efficient, mission-ready, and safe.”

“I and our entire team look forward to working with AvionTEq for the years to come,” says Scott Warner, director of business development from Flight Data Systems.

Operating as an FAA certified repair station (CRS # 5AXR435B) for the past two decades, AvionTEq has acquired a profound understanding of its clients’ needs. The robustness of AvionTEq’s quality system not only meets but consistently exceeds clients’ most stringent requirements, reflecting their commitment to delivering exceptional service and reliability. AvionTEq continues to solidify its position as the go-to source for avionics tooling and testing equipment, along with comprehensive support services, for aircraft maintenance facilities, operators, and manufacturers.

“We are excited to be expanding our partnership with Flight Data Systems,” mentions Fred Bostani, president, AvionTEq. “This agreement will help us deliver the same high-quality services and solutions our customers and partners have come to expect of AvionTEq.”

Airbourne Colours Expands Presence with New Paint Facility at Teesside Airport

Painting specialist Airbourne Colours is powering into 2024 by unveiling a brand-new hangar at Teesside International Airport, marking a pivotal phase in the company’s expansion across the UK.

Teesside-born entrepreneur Steve Darbyshire, founder and chief executive of Airbourne Colours, is steering the company back to its roots by investing £6.5 million in establishing a base on Teesside, with plans to generate 40 new jobs in the region.

With an annual turnover exceeding £10 million, Airbourne Colours holds a prominent position in the aviation industry, providing aircraft painting services for major European airlines, including Jet2, easyJet, Loganair, Smartlynx, Lufthansa, Aegean and Brussels Airlines to name a few.

“Little did I know that after 14 years since Airbourne Colours’ inception in a location over 300 miles from Teesside Airport, I would get the opportunity to return to my roots, Steve Darbyshire said. “It fills me with great pride to be part of this journey, contribute to the airport’s regeneration, and provide well-paid jobs in Teesside. This is a personal childhood dream come true.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the exciting development, stating: “This is more great news for our airport which is making its mark on the aviation scene. To have another world-renowned firm set up a base at Teesside is another big vote of confidence in our airport. It’s also good to see a successful Teessider leading the charge. This base will mean more high-quality jobs at our airport and bringing more income to fuel our turnaround plan.”

Construction of the 27,000-square-foot hangar is currently underway, following conditional planning approval granted by Darlington Borough Council in October 2023. Barnard Castle-based S&A Fabrications is the main contractor for the development, with completion expected in Q3 2024, and British Steel playing a crucial role in the construction process.

Lufthansa Technik and Air India Express Start Engine Maintenance Cooperation

At last week’s Wings India in Hyderabad, Lufthansa Technik and Air India Express signed an agreement for engine maintenance services (EMS). The contract includes overhauling a minimum of three 
CFM56-7B engines for the Boeing 737-800 fleet.

The agreement is the first one ever signed between the international MRO provider and the subsidiary of Air India. In addition to the EMS, Lufthansa Technik also supports a part of the Boeing 737 fleet of the airline with ad hoc repair and exchange of components as well as Aircraft on Ground 
(AOG) Services.

Anil Jain, head of Engineering at Air India Express, stated: “We are extremely pleased to announce this cooperation with Lufthansa Technik. Thereby, Air India Express now has access to Lufthansa Technik’s industry-leading experience and years of knowledge that will further assist us in our growth and operational reliability.”

Johanna Koch, vice president corporate sales Southeast Asia & Indian subcontinent at Lufthansa Technik, said: “We extend our gratitude to ir India Express for entrusting us with their vital maintenance 
needs. Lufthansa Technik holds this collaboration in high regard and eagerly anticipates the development of this new and mutually beneficial partnership.”

Boeing Approval Tops Record Year of Growth for Newbow Aerospace

Newbow Aerospace reports a record year of growth topped off by achieving approved supplier status from Boeing.

In response to a significant uptick in demand for bespoke manufactured ground support equipment, supplied to more than 300 airline, airport and MRO customers world-wide, a record for the Redditch-based business, Newbow’s in-house team of fabricators and technicians delivered a productivity level which eclipsed the company’s best performance prior to the pandemic, the company says.

For the construction of the company’s signature wheel and brake change trailers and nitrogen/oxygen service carts, Newbow utilized more than 41,000 kg of steel and calibrated more than 2,000 aircraft tire pressure gauges.

With a strong order book for Q1 2024, Newbow’s supplier approval from Boeing will further strengthen the company’s reputation as a leading expert in ground support equipment manufacture and tire pressure gauges, which began more than half a century ago, when the business was founded in 1964.

“The past twelve months for Newbow Aerospace has reflected the continued post-pandemic recovery in commercial aviation, supported by the forecast from IATA, suggesting that some 4.7 billion people are expected to fly this year, which exceeds the pre-pandemic level of 4.5 billion in 2019,” said Marc Green, Newbow Aerospace sales director. “Coupled with discussions we’ve had with our customers both existing and prospective, we face 2024 with cautious optimism that this upward trend will continue.”

Shell Signs Long-Term Agreement with Air Europa for AeroShell Aviation Lubricants

Shell Aviation has entered into a long-term agreement with Air Europa to become the airline’s preferred supplier of aviation lubricants, providing AeroShell engine oils, greases and fluids for the airline’s Boeing 737 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The airline, which is one of the largest 787 operators in Europe, will benefit from AeroShell Ascender and AeroShell Turbine Oil (ASTO) 560 across their fleet. Both of these oils can help reduce the chance of oil coke build-up while also decreasing the likelihood of degradation to the engine seals.

“This agreement marks an important moment for Shell Aviation as we move further into the turbine engine oil market. This deal will showcase the benefits of our high quality products and our extensive global network,” said Vincent Begon, general manager aviation lubricants, Shell Aviation.

“Our agreement with Shell is testament to the value we believe they will deliver – supporting both the performance of our fleet and our sustainability ambitions,” added Pedro Macias Dominguez, chief technical officer (CTO), Air Europa. “The combination of a comprehensive portfolio of lubricant solutions backed by a lifecycle approach to sustainability, allows us to unlock operational efficiencies while decarbonising our operations.”

The supply agreement extends to the MRO facilities of Globalia, the parent company of Air Europa, meaning aircraft from all airlines that undergo maintenance at Globalia’s hub at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Madrid will use AeroShell products.

Flitetec Launches Expansion Plans with France Distribution Center

Flitetec has stepped up its growth plans with the new offices and distribution center in the Aerospace Valley region between Bordeaux and Toulouse in the south west of the country. 

It will allow the UK-based aerospace and defense company to meet rising demand, break into new markets and move closer to its supply chain in France and the EU.

Flitetec, which was founded in 1985, has invested a six-figure sum in the premises at Mont-de-Marsan, which are set for lift-off in late January. 

The expansion comes after major growth in the distribution arm of the business, which was launched during the pandemic and has recorded significant growth over the past three years.  

As well as distribution, Flitetec also designs, manufactures and repairs a wide range of products for global civil, defense aerospace and transportation markets. 

“These are exciting times for Flitetec,” Trevor Lea, managing director (shown here) said. “The business has undergone a major transformation and investment program over the past five years, including significant growth of our distribution business, to which we pivoted during the pandemic. Expansion into sizeable new premises in France, close to the aviation centers of Bordeaux and Toulouse represents a milestone in our ambitious, long-term growth plans.”

Commercial director Chris Osborne, who will lead the new operation, said: “We have a strong supply chain in France where we support tier 1 and tier 2 subcontractors to primes in the aerospace market, such as Airbus and Safran. Our new premises represent a vote of confidence in France and Europe as well as our company and its people. It will allow us to get closer to our supply chain, customers and potential new customers. We aim to expand further in France and can’t wait to get started in the new premises.”

The new facility includes offices, meeting rooms and warehousing. The property features a locally well-known landmark bridge.

Flitetec, whose customers include Air France, intends to create more employment as its business grows in the country. 

The new premises will also allow Flitetec to guarantee greater service levels for customers worldwide with its full supply chain and end-to-end service.

The Flitetec team in France and the UK has been assembled from a group of experienced distribution experts with extensive knowledge of the global aerospace supply chain.

Flitetec is headquartered in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, UK, and has a sales office in North America. Much of its customer base is in the UK, France, EU and North America, including airlines, primes and OEM subcontractors 

Flitetec – with its Source Make Integrate ethos – is a supply chain services partner for aerospace and defence markets worldwide. 

It specializes in supplying hard to source aviation parts; the design, manufacture, repair and overhaul of plastic and metallic aircraft interiors components; the assembly and kitting of sourced and inhouse manufactured components.

The company has market leading four week design and manufacture lead times. The many products its designs, manufactures and supplies include meal tray tables, seat backs, overhead bins, cabin dividers, lighting technology and Personal Electronic Device (PED) holders.

Jamco America Enhances Aircraft Efficiency with Integrated Stowage Solutions

Jamco America is highlighting its revolutionary integrated approach to airline stowage systems, aimed at optimizing aircraft functionality and operational efficiency. Recognizing the critical impact of stowage systems on passenger experience and overall airline performance, Jamco America’s stowage solutions emphasize a cohesive and integrated strategy. Traditional approaches to stowage selection, focusing on individual solutions for specific needs, often result in inefficient systems with wasted space and increased costs. Jamco America’s integrated approach addresses the entire aircraft’s stowage requirements, ensuring coherence and synergy across components.

The streamlined and efficient utilization of cabin space is a primary advantage of Jamco America’s integrated approach. By considering the complete stowage needs of an airplane, from passenger cabins to the cockpit and galley, aircraft layout is optimized for maximum storage capacity. These considerations not only enhance passenger satisfaction but increase overall operational efficiency. Aircraft weight reduction, crucial for fuel efficiency and meeting net-zero sustainability goals, is another key benefit of Jamco solutions.

Jamco’s innovative stowage components include front-row monuments for business class seating, underbin closets in the main cabin, video control centers, doghouses, and slider panels for more efficient use of available space.

Jamco America’s collaborative design process sets it apart from other solutions. Jamco engages with airline clients from the conceptual stage to integration, delivering bespoke stowage solutions aligned with operational needs and unique brand visions. This partnership-driven approach ensures that each product is a true reflection of the airline’s identity.

With over twenty major airlines turning to Jamco America for turnkey aircraft interior integration programs, the company reliably delivers complete solutions at its Everett, WA facility. This includes fully staffed engineering, technical publications, manufacturing teams, testing capabilities, and an on-site FAA ODA certification department.

IHI Developes Aircraft Engine-Embedded Megawatt-Class Electric Motor

IHI Corporation announced recently it and several domestic partners jointly developed the world’s first one-megawatt-class electric motor mounted inside a jet engine tail cone. This achievement is one fruit of the company’s More Electric Architecture for Aircraft and Propulsion (MEAAP) project. This technological innovation initiative aims to optimize the overall energy management of aircraft systems, including engines, to help cut their carbon dioxide emissions.

IHI developed this motor as part of R&D into advanced electric propulsion systems and electric hybrid systems under the Research and Development of Advanced Aircraft Systems for Practical Application Project of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

The global passenger jet fleet should double over the next 20 years on growing travel demand, although the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization targets virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions from these aircraft by 2050. It is accordingly important to improve conventional technologies while innovating aircraft systems that maintain safety and economy and make them more eco-friendly.

The MEAAP project seeks not just to electrify aircraft but also to significantly enhance fuel efficiency by optimizing aircraft systems, including engines, to reuse cabin air, which current designs discharge outside aircraft without using effectively, to cool electrical equipment. This would eliminate the need for complex conventional hydraulic, pneumatic, and other systems, thus boosting design freedom and maintainability while reducing weight. IHI is collaborating with domestic and overseas partners in various R&D efforts to achieve its MEAAP goals.

IHI’s new engine-embedded electric motor could provide power for aircraft and also serve as a key technology in hybrid electric propulsion systems for which R&D is underway around the world.

In March 2020, IHI developed a 250-kilowatt-class engine-embedded electric motor offering the largest generator capacity for currently operating passenger aircraft. At the time, it developed a high-density molded coil technology with a 300°C heat-resistant insulation coating. It has additionally developed an exhaust heat system technology that taps thermal, fluid, and structural technologies that the company cultivated in jet engine R&D. It has augmented these advances to improve efficiency by overhauling the power generation mechanism to create an electric motor that can deliver more than one megawatt of power. The motor offers output scalability as required.

For its new motor, IHI conducted assessments at the Evaluation Laboratory for Next Generation Motors of the Akita University Joint Research Center for Electric Architecture. This is the largest such facility in Japan. This work confirmed that the company could attain the anticipated revolutions per minute when connecting the engine shaft directly to the inside of the tail cone.

IHI will keep developing hybrid electric propulsion systems to electrify aircraft, and looks to demonstrate an engine-embedded electric motor during the middle of this decade. By combining a high-power electric motor for aircraft propulsion, an electric turbo compressor, a high-flux plastic magnet rotor, and an electric hydrogen turbo-blower, which are also under development, IHI will electrify and optimize a range of propulsion systems, including hybrid electric propulsion systems for the future, and aircraft systems overall.