Category: Military

Field Aerospace Successfully Completes First Flight of Modified USAF T-1A

Field Aerospace completed the first flight of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) T-1A aircraft with the modernized flight deck on Friday, March 22. The first fully modified Combat System Officer (CSO) aircraft flew two successful consecutive check flights from Field Aerospace’s Oklahoma City facility.

Last spring, the USAF awarded Field Aerospace a contract to modernize the avionics on the entire T-1A trainer fleet of 178 aircraft plus 30 training devices. The fleet comprises CSO and Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) aircraft.

Working with subcontractors Nextant Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, HEBCO and FlightSafety International, Field Aerospace is the prime for this flight deck modification program. Field Aerospace’s modernization updates the avionics suite and adds Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Out, eliminating avionics obsolescence issues for the aging aircraft.

“These first two flights were a success and a very important step toward providing future USAF aircrew with access to modern avionics for aviation training and simulation,” said Brian Love, Field Aerospace’s Chief Commercial Officer. “This milestone would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Oklahoma team and our partners.”

The modernization includes updating the fleet to the Collins Aerospace Pro Line 21 system and enables the T-1A fleet to meet the FAA’s ADS-B Out mandate to support the trainer’s standing requirement to access the National Airspace System.

The T-1A aircraft are medium-range, twin-engine jets used for advanced-phase training of airlift and tanker pilots. Most of the USAF T-1A fleet supports SUPT, with the balance used for CSO training. They are stationed across five U.S. operating bases.

Kaman Memory Highlights Kaman SATA Card

The Memory Division of Kaman Precision Products, Inc. highlights the Kaman SATA Card, a rugged hermetically sealed card featuring a conveniently small form factor and high memory density. Guaranteed to withstand operations in extreme environments, the Kaman SATA Card is compliant to MIL-STD-461F and is ideal for fighter aircraft, helicopters, and ground Army applications.

The Kaman SATA Card features throughput of 100 megabytes per second, capacity of up to 512 gigabytes, and 3.3 volt operation. With a stainless steel hermetically sealed enclosure, it can sustain significant shock, humidity and vibration. The SATA Card can operate at temperatures ranging from
-40°F to 185°F (-40 to 85°C), at altitudes up to 40,000 feet.

The Kaman SATA Card uses a standard ATA command set and is compatible with USB-equipped computers/laptops using a ground station adaptor. Contained in the card is an intelligent controller, including reading/writing hardware and software. The card supports declassification commands for highly sensitive applications requiring erasure of data.

AAR Awarded New Additional Worldwide Aviation Support Services Site

AAR received notification from the Department of State awarding the company a new site under the Worldwide Aviation Support Services (WASS) program. Under the task order, the new site in Costa Rica will provide host nation aviation training.

“The WASS program continues to perform very well, and we are excited to expand our support of the Department of State with this new site,” said John Holmes, AAR president and CEO. “We remain focused on delivering world-class support to the WASS program and look forward to providing an exceptional service as the scope of this important program continues to grow.”

AAR was originally awarded the single award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract in September of 2016.

A Revised Event Manual for Aerospace Maintenance Competition is Out

The Aerospace Maintenance Council’s Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) presented by Snap-on will take place April 8-11, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The Event Manual—a compilation of everything competitors need to know—now includes new event criteria, team number assignments and the competition layout. Download it now, and refer to the Record of Revisions for specifics on what’s new.

Click here to download.

Rotary to Airline Convention Set for April 13/14

Rotary to Airline Group (RTAG) is a veteran-run not-for-profit organization designed to help connect transitioning military pilots and maintenance personnel with potential employers.

Erik Sabiston, president and founder, says their first event of 2019 will have more than “10,000 square feet of event space hosted right outside the gates of the historic 101st Airborne division.”

The RTAG Convention will be a two-day event, held on April 13/14, 2019, featuring breakout sessions which will cover a host of topics designed to give the military veteran a smooth transition Sabiston says. “The RTAG Convention is the only event that offers access to both pilot recruitment teams and maintenance recruiters in a single place,” according to Sabiston. The event location is Valor Hall 105 Walter Garrett Lane, Oak Grove, KY, 42262.

The event will include information sessions, discussions, presentations on topics such as logbook conversion, interview tips, life at the airlines, how to get to a major/ legacy, etc. There will also be scholarship opportunities and static displays. Most importantly, says Sabiston, there are airlines meet and greet and possible airline interviews. The cost is free. “It is our mission to never charge RTAGers a penny to attend a convention,” says Sabiston.

If you are making the transition from military to civilian life and want to learn more, go to rotarytoairlinegroup.org.

Rolls-Royce Prepares for Expansion in Indianapolis

According to a report in Inside Indiana Business, Rolls-Royce announced a planned expansion to their engine production in Indianapolis. The expansion would accommodate building new engines for the U.S. Air Force, should they win the contract. The manufacturer already has a presence there and says if it is chosen for the B-52 re-engining program, it will use their facility in Indianapolis to produce 650 engines for the Air Force’s B-52 strategic bomber fleet. This work would cause the need to add more than 150 jobs there.

Boeing Grounded Tankers After Tools and Debris Found Inside Fuselage

According to a story in the Seattle Times, Boeing has grounded “767-based KC-46 tankers for the past week after the Air Force expressed concern about loose tools and bits of debris found in various locations inside the completed airplanes.”

A company memo at Boeing is quoted saying, “We have USAF pilots here for flight training and they will not fly due to the FOD (foreign object debris) issues and the current confidence they have in our product that has been discovered throughout the aircraft…This is a big deal.”

Flights resumed on Thursday the 28th of February. “The memo notes that eight tools were found in aircraft delivered to the MDC and two more in tankers delivered to the U.S. Air Force,” the Seattle Times reported.

Read the Seattle Times article here.

 

OGMA to Modify Portuguese Air Force C-130s

OGMA has been announced the prime Contractor in the Avionics Modification Program involving four Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) C-130 aircraft, which will consist of a nearly full replacement of the aircraft communication, navigation and flight control systems and instruments.

Such modification will upgrade PoAF C-130 aircraft to the latest CNS/ATM requirements (communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management). This program will be developed over two years, with the first aircraft starting modification work in 2019.

OGMA will carry out the integration of all aircraft systems, manufacture the structural components and wire harnesses necessary for equipment installation, design the aircraft change and provide for project certification against the National Military Aviation Authority requirements and for project qualification according to POAF operational and logistic requirements.

OGMA will also be responsible for updating the aircraft operating and maintenance technical data, providing operational training to flight crews and maintenance training to PoAF technicians.

OGMA provides maintenance services to C-130 aircraft for several Air Forces around the world, namely in Europe, Africa and Asia.

FAA Acting Administrator Elwell to Attend HELI-EXPO 2019 in Atlanta Next Week

Helicopter Association International (HAI) says Federal Aviation Association (FAA) Acting Administrator Daniel K. Elwell is scheduled to attend HAI HELI-EXPO 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 5, 2019.

Administrator Elwell will participate in a “fireside chat” with HAI president and CEO Matthew Zuccaro, where they will discuss a selection of topics relevant to the helicopter industry. This conversation will take place at HAI’s Annual Membership Meeting and Breakfast.

Those who are interested in viewing the discussion but who are unable to attend the meeting can view the event through live streaming on HAI’s Facebook page. Other live streaming sites may become available too.

“We are grateful that Administrator Elwell can take time from his busy schedule to attend HAI HELI-EXPO and address issues that are significant to us,” says Zuccaro. “This is a pivotal time in aviation, with a number of challenges, such as workforce development and the integration of unmanned aircraft systems and autonomous flight into the NAS. Being able to hear from the FAA Administrator on these and other safety, regulatory, and operational issues is a huge help to the helicopter community. We deeply appreciate the contributions of Administrator Elwell and several other FAA representatives to our show.”

The discussion between Administrator Elwell and Mr. Zuccaro is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:30 AM (EST) and will last 15 – 20 minutes. Elwell is also participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open HAI HELI-EXPO at 10:15 AM.

Because of his responsibilities leading the FAA, Administrator Elwell’s schedule is subject to change without notice.

NTS Acquires Sci-Lab Materials Testing

National Technical Systems (NTS), an independent provider of qualification testing, inspection, and certification solutions in North America, has acquired Sci-Lab Materials Testing, Inc. (Sci-Lab) of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Established in 1990, Sci-Lab has established itself as a regional leader in qualification testing with a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including environmental, dynamics, durability, reliability, and materials testing and certification services for a variety of materials and products, including land, air, and sea vehicle components, electronic goods, plastics, rubbers, metals, coatings, textiles, adhesives, fasteners, composites, and chemicals. Sci-Lab’s 30,000-square-foot facility is ideally located in the automotive hub of Ontario, approximately 60 miles west of Toronto. Tests are routinely performed to OEM-specific and international standards for customers in the automotive, aerospace, military, electronics, and consumer goods industries.

The addition of Sci-Lab brings to NTS a strategic geography in Ontario, a broad scope of testing capabilities, key local customer relationships, and an excellent team of professionals with a longstanding reputation for their expertise, customer service, and on-time delivery. Furthermore, the addition of Sci-Lab to NTS’ two existing qualification testing facilities in Montreal greatly improves NTS’ ability to provide the same one-stop capabilities, seamless access, and service delivery standards in Canada that NTS has long provided to its customers in the United States.

Richard Isaacs, Chemical Engineer, Professional Engineer, and founder of Sci-Lab, stated, “Our management and staff are enthusiastic about our new partnership with NTS. We are now able to provide our growing customer base with a much broader scope of testing capabilities throughout Ontario, Quebec, and broader Canada. I look forward to continuing to lead the NTS Ontario lab as we expand our local capabilities in service of our world-class customers.”

“We are excited to add Sci-Lab to the NTS family,” said Richard Adams, CEO of NTS. “Sci-Lab customers can expect to continue receiving the same great local customer experience they’ve received in the past. As part of our 28-lab network in North America, Sci-Lab customers will have easy access to additional testing services both in Canada and the United States. We are delighted to have expanded our presence in Canada, and with Sci-Lab, we are now even better positioned to serve this strategic market and help our customers deliver products the world can trust.”

NTS is a portfolio company of Los Angeles-based Aurora Capital Partners.