Category: PRs

Avianor Inc. is pleased to announce that Mr. Sylvain Bédard has joined the company as its new president and general manager.

Following a dual degree in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration, Sylvain Bédard has spent more than 25 years in aerospace and high-tech industries. He has developed a sound expertise in negotiating and structuring business ventures with local and international business partners. Avianor believes that due to both his clear judgment and integrity, he has the ability to initiate and drive change.

The founders and owners of Avianor, Sylvain Savard and Earl Diamond, are looking forward to the future of the company under Mr. Bédard’s leadership. The appointment will highly benefit the future growth of Avianor, due to the combination of a spirit of entrepreneurship and a systematic implementation of technical standards and processes that will allow current and future opportunities to be dealt with effectively and efficiently. Mr. Savard and Mr. Diamond will shift their focus from day to day activities towards the strategic direction of the company, while providing support to the new President. The human aspect, i.e. maintaining close contacts with the staff members and customers, will remain one of their top priorities.

About Avianor Inc.

Founded in 1995, Avianor Inc. is a privately held Canadian corporation based in the airport area of Mirabel (Québec) which specializes in aircraft and component maintenance and overhaul (wheels, brakes, seats and cabin interiors including galleys, crew seats, closets and dividers). More than 15 years of expertise in the design, engineering, certification, manufacturing, repair, overhaul and distribution of aeronautical and general transportation equipment have entitled the company to position itself as a vertical integrator in the marketplace. Due to its recent growth, Avianor Inc. has become a significant employer in the Montreal aerospace community, regularly bringing on new talent. The 170,000 sq. ft. of warehouse, fabrication, repair shops and hangar space should reach 300,000 sq. ft. by the end of 2012, due to the steady growth and diversification of Avianor Inc.

As part of an ongoing program to integrate and grow its global engineering capability, GKN Aerospace has opened an engineering and technology centre at the company’s Filton, UK site, near Bristol.

The Filton engineering center will focus on progressing future wing structure design and manufacture, with over 100 engineers expected to be based at the site providing integrated design & build capability.

More than 50 permanent staff are already in place at the Filton center and a recruitment program is underway to fill the remaining posts. The Filton center will integrate with the company’s other established engineering centres today – on the Isle of Wight in the UK and St. Louis, Garden Grove and Santa Ana in the USA.

This growing team, mainly based across the four engineering centers, will operate as a single global engineering force supporting more than 25 GKN Aerospace manufacturing centers worldwide. They will progress product design and analysis and advance new manufacturing technologies and techniques, with each site leading on a defined area of expertise whilst drawing on the experience of the whole force to speed progress and increase engineering efficiency.

“Bristol is now established as the heart of our global wing structures manufacturing activity. With the National Composites Center close by and strong links into local academic research programs, this is the ideal base for developing our engineering capability,” says Rich Oldfield, technical director, GKN Aerospace. “This move marks an important stage in the global re-shaping of engineering at GKN Aerospace, helping us maintain and extend the technology leads we have established across our businesses. Our intention is to continue to grow the design-and-build capability based at each of our engineering centres in the coming years.”

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a contract for the design, development and production of transparencies for the Bombardier Global 7000* and Global 8000* business jets. The contract includes both the cockpit and passenger cabin windows for these ultra long-range business jets.

Design, development and production will take place at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, CA, USA. Initial test deliveries will take place in 2013.

The Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft passenger cabin window will feature significantly larger windows, bringing much more natural light into the cabin. These windows also incorporate GKN Aerospace’s industry-leading CrystalVueII abrasion resistant coating.

The cockpit windows are a low weight, all glass “plug” design using the company’s high strength, chemically tempered Chemplex glass and incorporating advanced coatings that add critical capabilities such as de-icing and electrostatic charge draining.

“These windows represent the absolute state-of-the-art in transparencies technology,” says Ron Kato, vice president and managing director Special Products, GKN Aerospace. “They have been produced using advanced forming technology and incorporate our market-leading coatings – which together provide unbeatable performance and reliability in all operating conditions.”

GKN Aerospace says their cockpit windows, passenger cabin windows and wingtip lenses exceed industry performance benchmarks across the board and are the reliable, low-risk products of choice for OEM’s and airlines around the world. GKN Aerospace supplies transparencies to the full range of aircraft in all market segments – from supersonic military applications such as the F-35 Lightning II (JSF) canopy to the large-size, state-of-the-art Boeing 787 passenger cabin window.

GKN Aerospace has delivered its 750th Tornado assembly to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of the company’s maintenance contract with BAE Systems, awarded in 2006 and continuing until at least 2016. This work package forms one element in the UK Ministry of Defence/BAE Systems ATTAC (Availability Transformation: Tornado Aircraft) agreement, which is aimed at providing effective, through life support for the GR4 aircraft.

Work on this maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) package is being carried out by the GKN Aerospace maintenance operation based at Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK. Under the contract, GKN Aerospace is responsible for providing a range of Tornado aircraft structures including rudders and ammunition boxes.

“Over recent years spares deliveries for the Tornado have increased significantly in order to provide effective support for the aircraft in theatre in Afghanistan and Libya. This has greatly increased the workload on our maintenance team at Cowes but by working extended hours and bringing in additional help from around the facility our output has increased by 25 percent,” Paul Young, general manager for Customer Support and MRO comments.

The Cowes-based maintenance operation overhauls structure from a wide variety of aircraft including the C-130 military transporter, the Dash 8 and Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft, and the massive Airbus A380 double-deck, jet airliner.

GKN Aerospace worldwide has a growing maintenance, repair and overhaul operation and this area of the business is a focus for future growth, with the company working on developments that will streamline, automate and speed future aircraft MRO procedures.

GKN Aerospace has been selected to provide Bell Helicopter with key metal and composite structures across the new 525 Relentless helicopter fuselage.

This major work package includes composite and aluminium fuselage panels and structural parts installed in the cockpit, cabin and tailboom. Manufacture will begin in late 2012 with initial deliveries scheduled for 2013 and continuing through to the end of 2015.

Two GKN Aerospace North American facilities, in St. Louis, Mo. and Tallassee, Ala., will undertake the manufacture of these components and assemblies. The St Louis site will supply complex machined aluminium bulkheads, frames and spars and the Tallassee site will produce composite structure including skins, bulkheads and frame assemblies.

“GKN Aerospace engineers have worked closely with the Bell Helicopter team through the structural design phase of this program. Together we have met the demanding weight and performance requirements for structures and assemblies that will equip this airframe from tip to tail – and whose manufacture will exploit our expertise across composite manufacture and metal machining,”  Kevin Cummings, CEO – GKN Aerospace, North America commented. “We are extremely proud to play our part in the creation of this first in a new class of ‘Super Medium’ helicopters.”

The 525 Relentless brings new capability to the new super-medium class by combining best-in-class performance characteristics and passenger amenities, with fly-by-wire flight controls, a touch screen avionics suite and Bell Helicopter’s new tail boom technology.

Donaldson Aerospace & Defense continues to see growing utilization of its new AgustaWestland AW109E/S/SP Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system by helicopter operators across the globe.  Idaho’s Summit Air Ambulance was the first AW109E operator to implement the IBF and provided key assistance in developing the barrier filter system.

“We were fortunate to assist Donaldson in performing the initial flight testing and certification of the 109 Inlet Barrier Filter system,” said Summit Senior Vice President Larry Bacus. “We fly in extremely dusty environments and I believe this system will cut our non-scheduled maintenance and our engine overhaul costs drastically. The return on investment is substantial and it also enhances our safety program.”

Installed on Summit’s AW109E ships, the IBF systems will lead to a direct reduction in engine damage and related operating costs for this longtime air medical helicopter operator.  The IBF provides the most effective protection package available in the industry, preventing engine damage in adverse conditions and ramp environments alike, while maintaining performance.

Summit’s operations include high-altitude landings to assist patients in Idaho, Nevada and across the Western U.S.  Thanks to the IBF, Summit continues to operate effectively in these service areas, now allowing engines to reach TBO without erosion, glazing or other environmental damage.  The combination of engine protection and high altitude performance benefits the most important part of Summit’s program which is the ability to provide consistent service to patients.

One of the first European AS350B3e helicopters is flying with proven, advanced engine protection from Donaldson Aerospace & Defense. Donaldson delivered its AS350B3e Inlet Barrier Filter system to utility operator Scandair for installation on the company’s new aircraft.

Scandair joins customers worldwide protecting their helicopter engines with Donaldson IBF system. Donaldson says barrier filter systems help eliminate turbine engine damage and expense in both ramp and offsite operations. The Donaldson AS350B3e IBF carries approvals from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, European EASA and Brazil’s ANAC.

Donaldson’s AS350B3e IBF Supplemental Type Certificate approvals cover both single hydraulic aircraft (PN#112005-101) and dual hydraulic aircraft (PN#121001-101) with the Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine.

Expansion of the STC allows operators to maintain fleet commonality while operating different AS350 models equipped with Donaldson IBF systems.

“We have just completed our first 200 hours of flying with the new filter system and I can tell you that we are very, very pleased with it,” said Scandair owner Fredrik Ulander. He and his team perform aerial application operations and have long experience with the AS350 series aircraft.

“These flights have been in a very dusty environment while fertilizing, and the indicator still shows good filter performance, so that is impressive. We can highly recommend this filter so far,” added Ulander.

Donaldson IBF systems for the Eurocopter AS350B3e feature an easily removed flat filter assembly and integral bypass design, readily installed into existing cowl designs without burdensome cowling alterations. A filter maintenance aid allows for on-condition status checks between established cleaning intervals, eliminating unnecessary service. No restrictions are imposed for flight in falling or blowing snow or with visible moisture in non-icing conditions. Users of the Donaldson IBF systems will realize better engine protection and performance over that offered by traditional sand filters or improved inertial particle separators.

Donaldson’s IBF systems will be on display during the Farnborough International Airshow July 9-13 (Booth C16/17 Hall 1) and the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s (ALEA) annual conference and exhibition July 11-14 (Booth 4440) in Reno, Nev.

Jet Professionals has opened three new offices in the U.S., in St. Louis, Houston and Palm Beach, expanding its staffing solutions business. Jet Professionals also has offices in Teterboro, N.J.; Dallas and several locations in Europe and the Middle East. Jet Professionals says it is the only global company that offers a full range of aviation staffing services for full-time and temporary placements specializing in pilots, flight attendants, schedulers, dispatchers and technical professionals. Recently the company expanded its services to offer payroll and employee benefits consulting for small to mid-size aviation companies.

“We’re positioning staff members in key markets to better serve our growing customer base. The Jet Professionals office in St. Louis specializes in recruiting and placing technical talent and is located with our operation at St. Louis Downtown Airport. The Houston and Palm Beach offices specialize in the whole suite of Jet Aviation services. The offices are located at our Jet Aviation operations at Houston Hobby Airport and Palm Beach International Airport,” said George Kythreotis, vice president and general manager, Jet Professionals.

 

Moecker Auctions Inc, an auctioneering, liquidation and appraisal company, will be holding an auction of assets for Landing Gear Services, Inc. (LGS), which ceased operations on May 15, 2012. All assets were removed from its 20,000 sq.ft. facility in the city of Medley, Florida to a secure facility in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The auction for LGS, a repair station exclusively for landing gear of commercial aircraft, will take place on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 10:00 eastern. The auction is open to the public onsite and online. All inventory, components, tools, machinery, warehouse items, computers and more will be sold!

Details:
When/Where
Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 10am
Inspection/Preview: Wednesday, August 8 from 9-3pm and 1 hour prior to sale
Location: 1500 S 66 Avenue, Pembroke Pines, Fl 33023

Visit http://www.moeckerauctions.com for details or call (954) 252-2887.

Moecker Auctions, Inc. is fully licensed, bonded and insured.

Bombardier Aerospace announced the opening of its newest Regional Support Office (RSO) at Farnborough, UK. The new office, the 10th Bombardier RSO to open outside North America in the past four years, will anchor regional support capabilities for the growing number of Bombardier business aircraft customers in Europe.

The Farnborough RSO is located with the Bombardier business aircraft international sales office within the TAG Farnborough Airport Terminal building and alongside Bombardier’s Authorized Service Facility (ASF), TAG Farnborough Engineering. The new office is staffed by an RSO Manager, who oversees three Field Service Representatives on site, as well as 12 Bombardier Field Service Representatives (FSR) currently located in Belgium, France, Germany and Latvia. The office will also help coordinate efforts of the company’s Mobile Response Team (MRT), which is based throughout Europe. The MRT’s EASA-licensed technical and maintenance experts work in concert with FSRs and the company’s PartsExpress airborne parts delivery service to deliver world-class round the clock Aircraft-on-Ground (AOG) support in the region.

“Our customer base counts on Bombardier support teams embedded in their region,” said Andy Nureddin, Vice President, Customer Services and Support, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “By centralizing our technical expertise and operations support in Farnborough, we will significantly bolster our response times for our European customer base and build lasting partnerships locally and globally to foster efficient operations of Bombardier aircraft.”
More than 560 Bombardier business jets are based in Europe. The Farnborough RSO will provide expertise and support to local customers, as well as customers flying into the region.

Bombardier’s Regional Support Office strategy responds to the growing international business aircraft market and customer requirements. The offices serve as locally based links to Bombardier’s network of highly skilled in-service engineering teams and 24/7 Customer Response Centres (CRC). The offices also work in close collaboration with Bombardier’s maintenance network of wholly owned service centres and ASFs, as well as our network of parts hubs and depots, to provide the highest level of convenience to customers.

Bombardier has been aggressively expanding its customer support network to bring services closer to its growing international customer base. Bombardier also operates RSO locations for business aircraft in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong, China; Sa?o Paulo, Brazil; and Singapore. Commercial aircraft RSO locations include Munich, Germany and Tokyo, Japan. The network is complemented by locations jointly supporting commercial and business aircraft operators in Shanghai, China; Sydney, Australia; and Mumbai, India.
Gold medal-calibre support at the London 2012 Summer Olympics

Bombardier business aircraft customers traveling through London during the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics can expect bolstered on-site support round the clock from July 23 to August 17, 2012. Five FSRs will be posted in the London area, with Bombardier’s dedicated MRT in close proximity. Qualified technicians will also be on standby at the company’s nearby wholly owned Schiphol Service Centre in Amsterdam as well as at three of its Authorized Services Facilities in the London area – Tag Aviation Farnborough & Ocean Sky Jet Centers in Luton and Manchester. Spare parts inventories have been boosted in our Frankfurt warehouse, at TAG Aviation and at the facilities of our key suppliers, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney.