Category: PRs

GKN Aerospace has established a new composites manufacturing facility in Mexico. The new 80,000 square foot Mexicali composite manufacturing facility is expected to employ over 100 staff by 2017 and will manufacture composite airframe structures. The site’s first products will be structures manufactured for the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter, with first parts scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2012.

Commencing with the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK work package, further production work will be transferred to the new site over time, with almost all staff recruited locally and trained in the range of manufacturing skills required to produce structures for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

The new Mexicali composite manufacturing facility will provide direct manufacturing support to the company’s Alabama operation which has multiplied its annual sales by 500 percent over the last decade and is continuing to see additional growth. The Alabama site provides aerostructures for customers such as Sikorsky, GE, HondaJet and Airbus.

Marcus Bryson, CEO and President, GKN Aerospace and GKN Land Systems explains: “The new composites operation will extend our very successful Mexico production activities and will play a key role in supporting Sikorsky and other major customers in the long term. The skills we will develop in our new Mexicali team will grow the valuable expertise we have in the country and help us extend our aerostructures business by manufacturing consistently high quality components at a very competitive cost to our customers.”

“Mexico is a strategically important country for us, and this move by GKN to place BLACK HAWK helicopter component work in-country coincides with our plans to increase our presence and work content in Mexico,” said Steve Estill, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Sikorsky.

The new site will be situated in the PIMSA industrial park. PIMSA is the oldest full service Industrial Developer in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. PIMSA’s General Director, Francisco J. Fiorentini, comments: “We welcome GKN Composite Structures to Mexicali as the fifth aerospace company in the PIMSA group. We’re very pleased to contribute to the continuing development of the aerospace sector in Baja, California with more than 50 companies in the State and comprising some 25% of the total aerospace companies in Mexico.”

The Mayor of Mexicali, Mr. Francisco Perez-Tejada Padilla, who has been very active in Mexicali’s economic development, states: “Mexicali is very glad that GKN has decided to bring a new division to town. Companies that choose our city as their manufacturing location and decide to expand are the best evidence of the City’s competitiveness and quality of life. We have a very skilled labor force, a strategic geographic location, a safe environment, among other competitive advantages. Composite materials are part of the future of the aviation industry; Mexicali is proud to be the new home of GKN’s composites manufacturing activity.”

The new plant extends the GKN Aerospace’s established operations in Mexico, adding a third facility. The company’s established plants manufacture engine fan cases, containment cases, fan ducts and shroud assemblies for major aero-engine primes such as Honeywell, GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and Allison.

Rockwell Collins has completed on schedule its first software delivery to The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] for the U.S. Army’s Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) program. This software provides additional EMARSS mission-specific functionality for the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 flight deck. The EMARSS program previously selected Rockwell Collins to provide its Pro Line 21 flight deck and additional mission capability for the Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft.

The software enhancements integrate military mission specific equipment including communication systems and military GPS as well as modified display interfaces, while retaining the civil certification of the avionics system. A key element of the program includes Rockwell Collins integrating the presentation of critical mission information on flight deck displays.

“The EMARSS flight deck will give Army pilots unprecedented mission capability and situational awareness,” said Dave Nieuwsma, vice president and general manager of Airborne Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “The civil certification will allow the aircraft unrestricted access to commercial airspace, providing additional operational flexibility for training and peacetime missions.”

EMARSS is a manned, airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system. It will provide a persistent capability to detect, locate, classify/identify and track surface targets in nearly all weather conditions, day or night, with a high degree of timeliness and accuracy. Boeing will be conducting flight tests to evaluate the performance of the system.

Rockwell Collins has been awarded a three-year, $8.8 million contract to provide Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force with sustainment services for  cockpit displays on 187 F-22 aircraft.

As part of the sustainment program, Rockwell Collins will train U.S. Department of Defense personnel to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul on the F-22 displays. The work will take place at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, and at the company’s repair facility in Atlanta.

“We’ve formed a strong public-private partnership with the Air Force and Lockheed Martin, which is essential to the success of these types of programs,” said Scott Gunnufson, vice president and general manager of Service Solutions for Rockwell Collins.  “By providing sustainment services while also sharing our technology and skill sets, the Air Force can be assured of enhanced operational readiness.”

Each F-22 aircraft cockpit features six Rockwell Collins combination projection and light-emitting diode displays.

Oman Air is the latest airline to become part of TRUEngine, qualifying all 33 CFM56-7B engines in its fleet for the program.

The TRUEngine designation serves as a method for identifying engines with CFM-approved content and facilitates product support of the engine system.  Industry stakeholders can use the knowledge of engine content to evaluate engine value and re-marketability, CFM says.

Oman Air, which was formed in 1993 as the designated carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, became a CFM customer in 2001, when it became the first airline in the Gulf region to order CFM56-7B-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft

“Qualifying our CFM56 fleet in the TRUEngine program is a natural extension of our maintenance philosophy,” said Wayne Pearce, chief executive officer of Oman Air.  “We understand and appreciate the benefits we gain from working with a world-class manufacturer like CFM.  By confirming engine content, TRUEngine streamlines the support process and ensures the applicability of CFM’s extensive fleet knowledge.”

Since the program was launched in 2008, CFM has continued to enhance the program to bring added customer value.  One such enhancement includes the addition of cumulative lease days that qualify customers for complimentary annual spare engine support from the CFM lease pool in the event a TRUEngine qualified engine has an unscheduled removal.

“Oman Air has an exemplary reputation and exacting standards for its fleet,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International.  “They are a great addition to the TRUEnginefamily and will certainly reap the benefits of this program.”
TRUEngine has continued to achieve broad-based industry acceptance.  Currently, more than 7,000 CFM56 engines in service with nearly 75 operators worldwide have been qualified for the TRUEngine program.

The TRUEngine program is available for all CFM56 engines.  To qualify, a customer submits a declared list of compliant engine serial numbers, along with engine maintenance records, to CFM for evaluation to ensure the engine content, overhaul practices, and repairs are consistent with CFM requirements for that engine model.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with INAER Maintenance SAU of Spain to explore aircraft maintenance and support opportunities for the Spanish Ministry of Defense. INAER engages in comprehensive fleet Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for commercial and military aircraft worldwide.

“This MOU represents the first step in discussing potential maintenance and upgrade capabilities for the Spanish Ministry of Defense whose Air Force and Navy fleets have a significant number of Sikorsky aircraft,” said Frank DiPasquale, SAS Vice President, Sales & Strategic Relationships. “INAER is a Sikorsky approved S-76 Customer Service Center supporting many of our operators in the region. The objective of this MOU is to strengthen and combine our expertise in providing customized solutions to meet the Spanish government’s requirements.”

In addition to offering maintenance support for a variety of OEM platforms, INAER is a worldwide provider of aerial emergency services. INAER owns and operates a fleet of Sikorsky’s S-61 and S-76 aircraft that are instrumental in helping to execute many critical missions such as search and rescue, civil protection, surveillance and medical emergency. INAER is committed to supporting its government’s armed forces and is currently under contract for many initiatives with the Spanish Ministry of Defense.

“After many years of cooperation between our companies, this MOU helps strengthen our ability to provide customers with unbeatable value-added services,” said Baba Devani, INAER Group Business Development Director. “We are pleased to offer our Sikorsky government operators an experienced, in-country MRO service provider backed by the powerful support network of Sikorsky Aircraft.”

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has signed a letter of intent with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) to supply the cargo door actuation system for the COMAC C919 program. The system’s lightweight design helps reduce overall aircraft weight and improve fuel efficiency. The value of the contract has not been disclosed.

“Our selection by COMAC was based on Eaton’s superior system design and integration capabilities, which optimize aircraft performance and lifecycle cost,” said Joe-Tao Zhou, president – Asia Pacific, Eaton’s Aerospace Group. “Eaton’s innovative solutions are driving growth in China’s emerging aerospace market and extending Eaton’s broad product portfolio to new markets worldwide.

Eaton”s cargo door actuation system will lift the fore and aft cargo doors on the C919 passenger jet. The cargo door actuator contains integrated control electronics, a design innovation that eliminates the need for a separate controller. Eaton says its integrated approach saves weight and volume, leading to overall aircraft weight reductions, improved fuel efficiency and lower environmental emissions.

Engine Lease Finance Corporate has become the first spare engine lessor customer for CFM International “s (CFM)  new product offering for leasing companies called Portable Maintenance for Lessors (PML).  The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with plans to sign a definitive agreement by year-end.

The product will be the first of its kind in the industry and will enable leasing companies to control maintenance costs throughout the life of an aircraft, regardless of the operator to which it is leased.  Under the terms of the agreement, CFM would provide engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services for leased fleets.  The PML is designed to be transferrable between lessees, which will enable them to more accurately predict maintenance costs.

“Our leasing company customers have been asking us for a product like this for along time,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International at today’s signing ceremony.  “There were a lot a challenges to developing this kind of program offering, but we are very pleased with where we have ended up and we anticipate more and more lessors to take advantage of the flexibility the PML provides.”

Conklin & de Decker announced the release of their 2012/2013 Aircraft Performance Comparator with the most comprehensive aircraft comparison data available to the industry. Part of a family of innovative software products created by Conklin & de Decker, the Aircraft Performance Comparator is a must-have tool for anyone that is acquiring a Business Jet, Turboprop, Piston airplane, or Helicopter and needs to compare aircraft performance data quickly and easily.

This newly updated software program allows users to easily overlay, or compare side-by-side, and compare aircraft interiors and exteriors as well as critical performance data that is collected directly from the manufacturer’s approved aircraft flight and performance manuals. Range verses payload, baggage area sizes and critical performance details are all quickly accessible. Users make apples-to-apples comparisons from the extensive database of nearly 300 aircraft that are displayed on the same scale, making it easy to evaluate and print reports.

New in the 2012/2013 edition of the Aircraft Performance Comparator includes:

New Jets: Global 6000; Hawker 400XPR (retrofit)

New Turboprops: King Air 250; King Air 350iER

New Helicopters: Eurocopter EC135P2+ and EC135T2+

New Piston: Piper Matrix

“Conklin & de Decker has always worked to develop the best products that streamline the aircraft acquisitions process,” commented David Wyndham, Vice President and co-owner of Conklin & de Decker.  “The Aircraft Performance Comparator is such an easy tool to use and it gives aircraft buyers, brokers and dealers the most current and comprehensive data when deciding which new or pre-owned aircraft is right for them.”

The price for the latest edition of the Aircraft Performance Comparator is $695 for Jets, $595 for Turboprops or Helicopters and $450 for the Piston database.  Discounts for multiple databases run from $100 to $300. Customized reports for individual aircraft can be special ordered for $100 per aircraft with a 20% discount for multiple aircraft. In addition, multiple user licenses are available.

The Aircraft Performance Comparator databases are conveniently grouped by Jets, Turboprops, Helicopters, and Pistons and can be ordered online or by calling the Conklin & de Decker’s Orleans, Massachusetts office at 508-255-5975, email admin@conklindd.com.

Pratt & Whitney and Norwegian Air Shuttle signed a memorandum of understanding to power 50 firm Airbus A320neo family aircraft with PurePower PW1100G-JM engines with first delivery scheduled in 2016.

“We chose the PurePower engine because we believe it offers the greatest long-term benefits in terms of reduced fuel burn and lower maintenance costs,” said Asgeir Nyseth, COO, Norwegian Air Shuttle.  “We are confident in the geared technology, and it will offer significant savings in overall operating costs for the A320neo aircraft.”

“Pratt & Whitney is proud to welcome Norwegian as a new PurePower engine customer,” said Todd Kallman, president, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. “We look forward to serving Norwegian’s needs now and well into the future.”

The PurePower engine uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine’s fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core delivers fuel efficiency and environmental benefits.  The first PurePower PW1100G-JM engine is scheduled to begin testing by the end of this year.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, is a public low-cost airline noted on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

Cebu Pacific Air has selected Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM engines for its order of 30 firm and 10 option A321neo aircraft. The agreement also includes a ten-year PureSolutionSM maintenance package for each engine. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp.

“We selected the Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine because of its fuel burn, emissions and noise benefits over today’s engines,” said Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Air Inc. president and CEO. “We are confident that the PurePower engine will deliver the lowest total operating costs for our fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft.”

“Pratt & Whitney is very pleased that Cebu Pacific selected the PurePower engine to power its Airbus A321neo fleet,” said Todd Kallman, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines president. “We look forward to providing Cebu with the best technology available today with the PurePower Geared Turbofan engine.”

The PurePower engine uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine’s fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core delivers fuel efficiency and environmental benefits.

Cebu Air Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry.