Category: PRs

The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) has announced a strategic partnership with Repairaplane.com, a new website designed to match general aviation aircraft owners with qualified A&P mechanics and certified repair stations throughout the country, including paint, interior and avionics shops.

To celebrate the partnership, Repairaplane.com is offering all PAMA members a highly discounted six month trial subscription rate of $285.00 in order to take advantage of the site’s services. Membership includes a free tile ad on Repairaplane.com’s home page, an enhanced profile in search results, email alerts when work is posted in their area and a free PAMA membership renewal.

Repairaplane.com subscribers will also receive personalized marketing support to ensure jobs are being posted within their area. So long as a member stays subscribed to Repairaplane.com, their PAMA membership will be renewed annually at no cost on an ongoing basis.

Non-PAMA members that subscribe to Repairaplane.com can also enroll in the introductory special and will be given a free one year subscription to PAMA as well.

“The site gives mechanics and repair stations the opportunity to increase their business while gaining exposure in the marketplace at a very nominal cost”, says Dave Cooperman, one of the site’s partners. “There is no other product or service available that we know of that provides the value of Repairaplane.com. One job should easily cover the cost to subscribe. In a tough economic environment we’re proud to launch a website and service that will bring some innovation to an often overlooked segment of aviation. Our partnership with PAMA is greatly welcomed, and we hope the site will provide unsurpassed value to its members and the industry as a whole.”

Dale Forton, president of PAMA commented, “As an industry resource for information regarding aviation maintenance, PAMA believes this to be a benefit to our members as not only an information resource but as an opportunity for a tremendous revenue generator for those who take advantage of the service.”

 

Airsea Containers, a provider of packaging solutions for dangerous goods transportation, have recently ventured into the social media sphere.

In a bid to increase their online presence and promote customer interaction, Airsea Containers Ltd have launched profiles on social networking sites Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Airsea Containers Ltd will regularly update their various social media profiles with details of their latest products, blog entries and company news stories; allowing them to communicate with customers on a more personal and interactive level.

Kevin Dougherty, sales & marketing director at Airsea Containers Ltd, says: “The launch of social media applications provides Airsea Containers Ltd with direct channels of communication with our customer base. We shall be using all the applications to provide customers who wish to follow us with topical and up to date information on the transport of dangerous goods.

“As social networking grows on a daily basis, we are excited by the opportunity to improve how we do business and communicate with all our customers. Also, as we meet senior officials who develop the dangerous goods regulations on a regular basis, we intend to feedback from the front line of industry through our network.”

For more information on Airsea Containers Ltd’s range of dangerous goods transportation solutions, please visit http://www.air-sea.co.uk or call 0151 653 1500.

 

AMOS 10.00, the latest AMOS version, contains new features and functions that herald a new era in Swiss-AS’ MRO software. It launches the most extensive developments since the conversion from AMOS classic to AMOSNG in 2002. The latest version is the starting point of major developments that will be rolled-out over the next 2-3 releases while also being the cornerstone paving the way for all further software enhancements. The reason for the staggered approach is the magnitude and complexity of some new features. With the latest software release, Swiss-AS introduces numerous functions that are dedicated to the needs of pure MRO providers and represent the AMOS community’s voting in the AMOS Strategic Board (ASB): the new Advanced Planning, the extended rotable control functions, Multi Entity Support to name just a few new or enhanced functions. Besides the enlargement of the functional breadth and depth, the contemporary GUI, the possibility to add desktop widgets, a new desktop background and a cleaner menu and status bar further increase the user-friendliness as well as the look & feel of the MRO software.

Newly developed highlights of AMOS 10.00
– The Multi Entity Support hosts and integrates multiple financially independent companies on one system, allowing airline groups or other aviation companies with subsidiaries in different countries to consolidate all activities in one system but still comply with local regulations.
– In the framework of the new Advanced Planning features, which the AMOS customers ranked as top priority for strategic developments, the Improved Resource Management has been implemented. Resources can now be planned down to individual work steps that allow a detailed allocation of skills and material in the critical path of any groundtime. In this context, also the introduction of a Central Workstep Repository was realised, which reduces the manual input and facilitates consolidation on the work package level for scheduled and non-routine work.
– The new Maintenance Program structure supports the management of local operator maintenance programs in reference to a centrally managed master program to facilitate full multi operator support.
– Another highlight of the new AMOS release is the integration of the Rule Engine, which allows user definable workflows for complex business rules, e.g. for contract management, financial approval, aircraft configuration management, etc.

 

Dakota Air Parts announced the addition of Ross Nanfito as director of strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions. Nanfito is based in Phoenix, Ariz., working from the office of the most recent acquisition for the Dakota group of companies – ASI Services, an FAA/EASA Part 145 Repair Station specializing in the repair and overhaul of the Rolls-Royce M250 line of engines and Bell Helicopter components.

Nanfito will be responsible for overall growth including the acquisitions and/or mergers of companies that complement Dakota Air Parts and its other businesses, including MRO services. His focus will include strategies for growth, business development, improving efficiencies, enhancing customer relations, and advancing Dakota Air Parts and its group of companies overall presence in the aviation industry.

“In consideration of his tenure and diverse experience within the aviation community, which includes owning and managing his own aviation parts distribution company, Ross will make a strong addition to our team and will complement it well,” said Lance Thoreson, vice president of Operations at Dakota Air Parts.

Nanfito is A 29 year industry veteran and spent the last five years in the commercial airlines MRO markets working with major U.S. and foreign airlines on chapter 27 component overhaul promotion for FAA Repair Station Skytronics in Los Angeles, California. Prior to Skytronics, Nanfito spent many years working various roles such as sales of aviation ERP software system, new parts distribution, and foreign military sales. In addition, Mr. Nanfito previously founded and operated his own aftermarket spares company Intertrans Helicopter, primarily serving the helicopter market, from 1989 to 1997. He spent a majority of his career working both rotor-wing and fixed-wing territories in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Nanfito began his career in aviation in 1983 working for a helicopter component overhaul repair station.

“Ross is a tenured and respected aerospace professional. His experience will help us as we expand our markets, services, and capabilities. As we look to the future of Dakota Air Parts and ASI Services, it’s critical to have an experienced leader like Ross to help us focus on strategy and growth opportunities,” said Barbara McConn, president of Dakota Air Parts.

“It’s an honor for me to be working with a group of dedicated professionals as those here at Dakota Air Parts and ASI Services,” said Ross Nanfito. “I look forward to using my passion for aviation parts and MRO to grow and expand the business at ASI Services and bringing on new ventures and business models to the Dakota team of companies!”

 

TWC Aviation announced two guaranteed charter revenue solutions for aircraft owners who wish to reduce their operating costs while their aircraft is idle. The TWC RevenueFlex and TWC RevenueMax guaranteed charter revenue programs are tailored to meet specific goals and provide consistent, predictable revenue every month.

TWC RevenueFlex
If a client’s aircraft is underutilized, TWC Aviation will make up the difference between the hours the owner flies each year and the maximum hours they have set for their plane. There is no need for them to give up control of their aircraft by blocking dates in advance. TWC guarantees to generate the charter revenue around the owner’s schedule.

TWC RevenueMax
At the beginning of each month, a client commits to a certain number of days to make their aircraft available for charter. TWC then generates guaranteed charter revenue on the dates the owner has selected. The rest of their schedule is open to fly whenever they wish.

“Our Guaranteed Charter Revenue Solutions enable aircraft owners to lock in a fixed rate of return, while not losing access or giving up control of their aircraft,” said Andrew Richmond, CEO of TWC Aviation. “The ability to offer these guarantees is a reflection of the growth in our charter business, and the increased demand we have seen for consistent access to quality aircraft for our charter clients.”

 

Jet Aviation St. Louis has acquired the necessary tools and training to comply with Bombardier’s Service Bulletin (SB) ATA 52-11, issued to address passenger door corrosion prevention, and has repaired thee aircraft to date: two Challenger 604s and one Challenger 605.

SB ATA 52-11 is a “special check/modification” of the passenger door that requires removing the epoxy used in door fabrication to prevent corrosion. The bulletin also calls for adding additional drainage holes and modifying the door structure to allow access to facilitate scheduled inspections.

Jet Aviation St. Louis has repaired three Challengers in compliance with the service bulletin with the help of its newly acquired Cold Jet Aero 40 HP dry ice blasting machine. Specially trained technicians use the machine to remove the epoxy without damaging the existing door structure.

“The Jet Aviation St. Louis technical team has more than 280 years of combined Challenger experience, and our technicians average nearly 10 years of service with us. We maintained more than 110 Challenger in 2011 alone,” notes Chuck Krugh, senior vice president and general manager, Jet Aviation St. Louis.

Jet Aviation St. Louis is a Bombardier authorized service facility. It also is a General Electric CF34-3 authorized service center.

 

Comtek Advanced Structures has developed several floor upgrade packages for the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.

The floor upgrade packages are available for the forward entry, aft entry and the aft upper baggage bay. Due to high levels of traffic and stress during regular use, the floor panels in these areas need to be replaced or repaired frequently.

Comtek developed floor panel upgrades using more robust materials such as heavy duty honeycomb core to increase stiffness and durability and a mat overlay to reduce surface wear and increase impact resistance. These upgrades will give operators an increased operational life on each of the panels by improving the reliability of the aircraft with respect to these areas. Each floor upgrade package comes with a 24 month warranty on materials and workmanship. For additional information, please contact Tracy Hribar at 905 331-8121 x288 or visit http://www.comtekadvanced.com.

 

Mxi Technologies, the leader in aviation maintenance management software, announced today that within 24 hours of receiving their first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) embarked on their inaugural passenger service flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Ethiopian’s commitment to our vision is demonstrated through every facet of our business — including the modernization of our fleet and our maintenance organization — and this first 787 flight represents a confirmation of our efforts,” says Mesfin Tasew, COO, Ethiopian Airlines. “Using Maintenix has enabled us to support this historic entry-into-service with the degree of confidence required in maintaining next-generation aircraft through automatic, real-time validation of airworthiness in accordance with OEM guidelines and our own maintenance plan; on receipt and ongoing.”

Ethiopian has been live with a broad Maintenix implementation since July 2011 for their comprehensive mixed fleet, ranging from the regional Q400 to the long-range 777, and now, the 787 Dreamliner.

“Ethiopian’s dedication to best practices as well as their investments in new technology set them apart as both a leader and an innovator in the industry, and we congratulate them on this milestone,” says Dave Seibel, chairman and CEO, Mxi Technologies. “With this success, Maintenix is now proven in-use by our customers to manage the most advanced aircraft portfolio available in the world today.”

Wencor has announced that it has acquired the AmSafe Aftermarket Spares and Services business from TransDigm Group Incorporated. The Aftermarket Spares and Services group focuses on the distribution of a broad product offering, including filters, lighting, battery products, nets, communications and safety equipment, and additional FAA PMA consumable parts. Wencor is a leading distributor of aftermarket parts and services to the commercial aircraft sector.

“The acquisition of AmSafe Aftermarket Spares and Services allows Wencor to expand our product offering and services, something our customers are expecting from their key suppliers and partners,”said Russ Adamson, president of Wencor. “With our expertise in mechanical systems engineering and broad distribution business, we anticipate these new products will allow customers to continue to streamline their supply chain and take advantage of additional value-added services.”

A new method of deploying training material to the aviation industry is being launched by Air Service Training Limited (AST). This will enable students to download training resources online for use on tablet devices, including the iPad and Android systems (Samsung, Sony, Motorola etc.), Microsoft Windows-based devices (both tablets and PCs) and Apple Macintosh computers. Once downloaded, students will be able to access the material any time they want, whether connected to the internet or not.

Content used in this new online strategy includes the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) ‘Part 66, Module 9 Human Factors’ training notes, a key module that applicants must pass an examination on to obtain a commercial aircraft maintenance engineer’s license.

Using cutting edge technology the system was developed by Bristol-based (UK) company, Koala Publishing Limited, who specialise in the aerospace and aviation industries. For the AST solution, Koala utilised products from their KDS (Koala Documentation Suite). The student user interface is the latest version of Koala’s KDS Mobile4docs viewer.

Mobile4docs displays the text and graphics in a vertically scrollable window (horizontal scrolling is deliberately disabled for ease of use). A variety of navigational tools include next and previous page controls, next and previous topics selection, a hierarchical contents list, inter topic links, a breadcrumb trail, and a ‘search’ facility. The intuitive interface is designed for use on both touch screens and devices fitted with a mouse or touch pad.

Koala converted AST’s source material to XML, complying with the international DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) standard, using KDS tools. This means that AST will be able to maintain and update the content easily and efficiently. The conversion process breaks the content into a highly structured collection of ‘topics’, enabling content sharing, re-use and re-purposing to meet different requirements.
AST have also taken the opportunity to update all the graphics, drawings and charts. New high resolution colour graphics and illustrations were specially created by Koala.

Peter Farrow, AST Chief Executive, based in Perth, Scotland, said: “We are really pleased with the results and the attention to detail we received from Koala. This initiative allows us to provide training support for students around the world who wish to seek EASA Part 66 licensing, but are unable to attend our taught courses here in Perth, or at one of our many Worldwide second-site locations.” Koala’s Gordon Dennis added “This is one of the first eLearning applications in aviation based on DITA. Single source publishing of eLearning material like this means real savings for the content owner and also ensures that quality is maintained across all the supported devices – once the source is correct, it’s automatically correct everywhere with no additional effort.”

“The fact that the application is available on so many different devices was a key aspect in our decision to go ahead with the project,” continued Farrow. “It gives our students such a wide choice. And the great thing for us is that we have achieved this all from one set of source material so we didn’t have to make separate versions for each type of environment. ”