Category: PRs

IATA Outlines Four Priorities to Strengthen the Aviation Supply Chain

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) identified four priorities to address persistent failures in the aerospace supply chain at the inaugural IATA World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid:

  • Enhance supply chain visibility.
  • Open up the aftermarket.
  • Unlock the value of data, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Build human capacity.

Supply chain failures were a focal point at IATA’s recent Annual General Meeting. “The aircraft order backlog is over 18,000. And the average fleet age has reached a record 15.2 years. Moreover, being short over 5,000 more fuel-efficient replacement aircraft that airlines had counted on, means missed efficiency gains, not to mention higher lease rates and increased maintenance costs. In total, supply chain failures cost airlines at least $11 billion in 2025. Today’s higher fuel prices will only make that worse,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General in his Report on the Air Transport Industry.

“Alongside aircraft delivery delays, engine durability issues, shortages of materials and spare parts, and constrained maintenance capacity are disrupting airline operations. Addressing these challenges will require practical action and cooperation across the aviation value chain,” said Stuart Fox, IATA’s Director, Flight and Technical Operations.

Fox presented the Symposium with four measures which could contribute to improving the situation:

Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility: IATA encouraged earlier and more reliable information from manufacturers to airlines on delivery delays, repair turnaround times, parts availability, and known bottlenecks to enable airlines to better plan the operations of their global networks.

Open Up the Aftermarket: IATA called for more manufacturers to commit to key principles included in the IATA-CFM agreement in support of greater aftermarket competition by reinforcing access to third-party MRO services, alternative parts, and approved repairs.

Longstanding commercial restrictions on repair instructions, tooling, approved repair networks, and spares distribution can limit airlines’ ability to use safe, certified alternatives. This reduces choice and competition, contributes to longer waiting times, and increases costs.

Unlock Data, Digitalization, and AI: IATA called for better integration between airline maintenance systems and external market intelligence to improve inventory management, identify material availability and scarcity, support repair-or-replace decisions, and strengthen warranty claims. AI can further support these processes by predicting demand, identifying shortages, and reducing manual work.

IATA’s cooperation with the International Airlines Technical Pool (IATP) to help airlines improve visibility of, and access to, aircraft parts, and making MRO SmartHub available to airlines at no cost through a data participation program, are two examples of initiatives supporting this priority.

Build Human Capacity: IATA urged a review of recruitment, training, and licensing maintenance technicians to reduce timelines, expand reach, and improve job stability. Demand for maintenance technicians is expected to grow as evidenced by Boeing’s estimation that 710,000 new technicians will be needed over the next 20 years. Increasing training capacity, reducing unnecessary qualification bottlenecks, and creating greater recognition of skills across borders will all help to fill this gap.

“The supply chain is under real pressure, but this is not a reason for pessimism. It is a reason for action. These four priorities alone are not complete solutions. But they would be an important step for OEMs, suppliers, MROs, lessors, regulators, and airlines working together to achieve the resilient aerospace supply chains that global connectivity needs,” said Fox.

Make Aircraft Mandates Deliverable
IATA also called for realistic and globally coordinated timelines for mandates requiring new aircraft equipment or avionics upgrades.

Compliance deadlines must take account of equipment certification and availability, installation capacity and wider supply chain conditions. IATA has raised these concerns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including in relation to requirements connected with the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS), Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting Systems (ROAAS), and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B).

“This is not about delaying safety. It is about making safety deliverable. Global safety improvements require globally coordinated implementation timelines that reflect certification, equipment availability, and installation capacity,” said Fox.

Read the full speech.

Urgent Action Needed to Ease Engine MRO Bottlenecks

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in collaboration with Emerton, today released a new study examining bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of latest-generation single-aisle aircraft engines—namely LEAP engines from CFM, and Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines from Pratt & Whitney.

The study, Strategic Levers to Address Supply Chain Challenges: Single Aisle Aircraft Engines MRO, highlights how engine durability issues, spare parts shortages, limited spare engine availability, and constrained aftermarket access are disrupting airline operations. These pressures are creating costly operational challenges, including reduced engine time on wing, increased demand for engine shop visits and more complex airline maintenance planning.

The number of grounded Pratt & Whitney GTF powered aircraft peaked in March 2025 at 648, 28% of the GTF-fleet. These aircraft were awaiting engine shop visits, spare engines or parts. Affected airlines have had to adapt their fleet plans, including by retaining older aircraft, extending leases or leasing additional aircraft, and adjusting capacity.

The challenge is expected to grow as latest-generation single-aisle fleets expand. In 2024, single-aisle aircraft engine deliveries totalled 2,000 (800 GTF and 1,200 LEAP). Between 2030 and 2040, deliveries are expected to be stable at about 3,700/year (1,200 GTF and 2,500 LEAP.)

This acceleration of deliveries will significantly increase maintenance demand. Annual shop visits are forecast to rise from around 600–800 in 2025 to more than 5,000 by 2040 for LEAP engines, and 1,000 to more than 2,000 for GTF engines.

“Engine MRO bottlenecks are disrupting airline operations. Without significant changes, this will only get worse as the fleet of latest-generation single-aisle aircraft grows. Manufacturers are investing in additional capacity, but capacity alone will not be enough. Airlines need better access to spare parts, more approved repair options, fair access to MRO capacity and greater competition in the aftermarket,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

While there is no single solution to alleviate the current situation, several actions have been identified where efforts across the value chain could deliver better resilience in the near and longer-term:

  • Increase engine parts availability: Make more parts available by accelerating the development and approval of repair solutions to reduce scrap rates, expanding licensed production of critical components, and increasing access to used serviceable material recovered from engine teardowns.
  • Ensure fair access to the MRO market: Remove barriers that limit independent MRO participation and support fair access to the parts, repair information and tools needed to develop additional capacity. This is provided for in the IATA-CFM agreement, signed in 2018 and renewed in January 2026. The agreement includes a good-practice model for supporting customer choice, regulatory approved non-OEM parts and repairs, and fair access for third-party MRO providers.
  • Secure long-term access to spare parts: Including provisions in aircraft and engine acquisition decisions to secure long-term access to predictable spare parts pricing would provide greater certainty for airlines and lessors. This includes protections that airlines can assign to their chosen MRO providers, including independent providers.
  • Adopt industry-wide best practices: All OEMs (engine, airframe and component) should adopt transparent and competitive aftermarket principles that support customer choice and the use of approved alternative parts and repairs certified by regulators.

Delivering these priorities will require coordinated action across the aerospace supply chain. Airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, MRO providers and lessors must work together to improve parts availability, expand repair options and better align engine maintenance capacity with airline operational needs.

“Resolving today’s disruption is the immediate priority. But long-term resilience will depend on a more transparent, competitive and collaborative aftermarket. Revisiting business models between aircraft and engine manufacturers is essential so that they better support operational resilience across the full aircraft lifecycle. The goal is to get engines back on wing faster, reduce avoidable disruption and ensure that future fleet growth is supported by the MRO capacity and market access airlines need,” said Walsh.

HONEYWELL LAUNCHES COMPACT NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR UNCREWED AERIAL SYSTEMS

Kestrel navigation system delivers high-accuracy positioning for small platforms operating in GPS-jammed and spoofed environments

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced the launch of Kestrel, a compact navigation solution designed to help uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operate reliably in contested environments where GPS signals may be degraded, jammed or spoofed.

Built to support the growing demand for smaller, more affordable and highly efficient platforms, Kestrel combines Honeywell Aerospace’s HG3900 MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit with an M-code receiver and a multi-GNSS receiver. The platform is intended to meet the specific needs of Group 2 and 3 collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) and loitering munitions platforms. It is also suitable for crewed aircraft where size, weight, power and cost are important considerations.

“Kestrel reflects the evolving needs of today’s uncrewed operations, where operators are looking for resilient navigation technology that is smaller, lighter and more cost-effective,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager of Navigation & Sensors at Honeywell Aerospace. “This system helps operators maintain mission objectives in environments where legacy GPS systems are lagging behind.”

Kestrel is an Embedded GNSS/INS (EGI) system for global defense and commercial operators in need of advanced inertial navigation technology with secure positioning capabilities in a smaller footprint. The system is 40 percent smaller and lighter than similar navigation products available today, while still delivering up to an 80 percent improvement in navigation accuracy for uncrewed platforms. It also reduces costs by as much as 50 percent, helping operators efficiently scale deployment across high-volume drone operations. Kestrel’s resiliency reduces UAS attrition by 60 percent, while more than doubling the capacity for mission distances.

The ability to operate without assured GNSS access is a distinct advantage for any military aircraft operating in contested or GNSS-denied environments because it provides continuous, self-contained position, velocity and attitude estimates independent of external signals.

Kestrel is designed to support a broad range of defense and commercial applications and will be available in configurations that support international and non-ITAR deployments.

Honeywell pioneered EGI technology and has produced more than 60,000 units since the mid-1990s to meet customers’ most challenging navigation, pointing, stabilization and flight-control applications. To learn more, visit: New Kestrel Small EGI Navigation for Tactical Drones

Shield AI and UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía partner to expand Hivemind autonomy across unmanned systems

Shield AI, the U.S. the defense technology company building the world’s best AI pilots and next-generation aircraft, today signed a strategic integration partnership with Spain’s UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, part of the Spanish multinational technology company Grupo Oesía and a specialist in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles. The partnership focuses on integrating Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software with UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía systems so European customers can field more capable autonomous aircraft faster and with less integration risk.

The collaboration centers on validating compatibility between Hivemind, Shield AI’s platform-agnostic autonomy software, and UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía’s VECTOR autopilots and Mission Control Computer. The companies have already completed interoperability testing together with strong results, confirming that Hivemind can be configured to execute missions on platforms equipped with UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía flight-control systems. Future phases are expected to expand the autonomy envelope across additional platform families integrating the UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía portfolio of systems.

“European customers require autonomous systems that meet rigorous standards for reliability, integration, and operational performance,” said Chris Brinkley, vice president and head of Europe and Africa at Shield AI. “UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía brings deep GNC expertise and a strong platform footprint across the continent. This is about making sure Hivemind works seamlessly on the systems our customers are already flying.”

“Shield AI Hivemind brings proven mission autonomy that complements our open-architecture ecosystem,” said Luis Furnells, Chairman and CEO of Grupo Oesía. “We look forward to building on our interoperability work to deliver greater capability to the platforms and programs that rely on our systems.”

Hivemind is Shield AI’s highly modular, platform-agnostic autonomy software that enables unmanned systems to sense, decide, and act. Unlike traditional autopilots that cannot deviate from preplanned routes, Hivemind dynamically reroutes mission plans, responds to unexpected conditions, avoids obstacles, and executes complex tasks safely and effectively.

Shield AI is exhibiting at Eurosatory in Hall 5A, stand A276, and UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía

AJW Group Announces Angus Whiteside’s Appointment to the Board of Directors.

AJW Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Angus Whiteside to the company’s Board of Directors, further strengthening the business’s leadership team as it continues to grow and expand its capabilities across the global aviation industry.

Angus brings a unique combination of technical expertise, commercial acumen, and competitive drive to the board.

Attending Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, where he achieved a first in International Business, he completed Harvard Business School’s Online Financial Accounting programme, deepening his commercial management expertise.

Angus began his career as a mechanic at AJW Technique in Montreal, then progressed to Bombardier, and later qualified as a B1 Aircraft Engineer at Volare Aviation. Here, he developed extensive experience in technical operations, regulatory compliance, and engineering excellence. In 2025, he returned to AJW Group, where he spent time in each department before settling in Commercial.

Angus combines his astute academic skills with extensive experience in the aviation sector. An accomplished racing driver and former Porsche Carrera Cup GB champion, he currently competes in the GT World Challenge Endurance. His continuous improvement on the track directly mirrors the qualities he brings to his professional career – a relentless pursuit of excellence and drive to succeed in high-pressure environments.

Angus lives in West Sussex with his wife, Kotryna, and their dog, Maverick.

Commenting on the appointment, Clyde Buntrock, CEO, said: “Angus’s technical depth, commercial understanding, and relentless focus on performance make his appointment to the Board thoroughly deserved and reflect both his achievements to date and the significant contribution he will continue to make as we pursue our long-term growth ambitions.”

Angus added: “I am honoured to be appointed to the AJW Board of Directors and look forward to working with my fellow directors and colleagues as we build on our success and drive the next phase of growth and innovation.”

Inside the Engine MRO Supply Chain: Why Repair Delays Are Rising – And What’s Driving Them

By Dave Hobbs, VP Sales, AerFin

Global demand for engine maintenance continues to climb, but the parts needed to complete repairs aren’t always keeping pace with that demand. As airlines work to keep aircraft flying during a period of prolonged supply-chain disruption, engine MRO capacity has become one of the most closely watched pressure points in the market.

Shortages shaping the market

Across multiple fleets, the availability of critical engine material remains the defining feature of the aftermarket.

For the CFM56, the industry-wide shortage of high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades is the single biggest bottleneck. With demand far exceeding the flow of replacement parts, turnaround timelines have stretched significantly.

V2500 SelectOne operators face a different, but related, challenge. As aircraft transitions are expected to rise sharply in the latter part of 2026, demand for both engine and airframe MRO capacity is increasing across the market. Engine shop visit inductions are already rising across all major MROs, placing additional strain on an ecosystem that is not yet seeing a corresponding increase in engine teardowns.

As a result, the supply of used serviceable material remains thin. In practice, this leaves shops more reliant on newly manufactured core parts – and more exposed to the delays affecting original equipment manufacturer (OEM) production lines, at a higher price point. Compounding the issue, some large MROs are prioritising their own fleet customers, reducing the volume of third-party capacity available and pushing more work toward independent repair specialists.

Rising turnaround times – and a widening gap from pre-2020 norms

Turnaround time now varies depending on workscope and engine type. Light workscopes remain manageable, but full overhauls are facing long delays due to parts scarcity.

Typical current turnaround ranges:

· CFM56 – 90–120 days for full overhaul / ~45 days for light work

· V2500 – 60–70 days / ~45 days

· PW4000 – 120+ days / ~60 days

· CF6 – 120+ days / ~60 days

· PW1100G-JM GTF – 260–365 days

By comparison, pre-pandemic full overhauls for CFM56 and V2500 engines were commonly completed in around 60 days. Older platforms typically needed about 90.

The result is predictable: extended time on wing where possible, deferred shop visits, and rising pressure to secure used material, feedstock, and teardown opportunities.

Repair complexity continues to increase

Modern engines are delivering leaps forward in efficiency, but the technology driving those gains is also reshaping what’s possible in the repair chain.

The most challenging work now sits in turbine components, combustors, and composite fan blades. These parts rely on advanced alloys, high-performance thermal coatings, and composite structures that offer significant advantages in service, but limit the number of repair techniques that can be applied outside of OEM-approved processes.

For operators and MROs, that means more reliance on specialised repair partners, greater dependency on OEM solutions, and – in some cases – higher material cost.

What comes next?

With demand for capacity rising and availability of parts still constrained, the pressure on engine maintenance is unlikely to ease in the short term. Access to feedstock and teardown inventory will continue to play a decisive role across CFM56 and V2500 fleets, while GTF supply chain issues remain a long-term story.

What is clear, however, is that material planning, lifecycle strategy and trusted partnerships are becoming just as important as shop-slot availability itself.

For operators, lessors and MROs, securing access to quality used serviceable material is becoming an increasingly important part of the solution. Strategic teardowns, effective asset management and strong supply-chain partnerships can help reduce dependence on constrained OEM production lines, improve material availability and support more predictable maintenance outcomes.

This is where the aviation aftermarket has a vital role to play. At AerFin, we work with customers to unlock value from aircraft and engine assets, providing access to quality material through teardowns, asset management and global supply-chain support. In a market where delays are increasingly driven by material shortages rather than shop capacity alone, the ability to source, manage and redeploy aviation assets effectively will remain a key differentiator.

LAUNCH Announces Appointment of Manager of Technical Training to Strengthen Workforce Development and Technical Excellence

LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions has announced the appointment of Kevin Mikos as manager of technical training, a newly created leadership role based at the company’s Training Center of Excellence in Wichita, Kansas. This position reflects LAUNCH’s continued investment in building a highly skilled aviation maintenance workforce and expanding its technical training infrastructure.

This new position represents an important milestone in the future of LAUNCH’s technical workforce and reinforces the company’s commitment to developing industry-leading training, certification, and career development programs across its maintenance operations. As demand for skilled aviation maintenance professionals continues to increase across the industry, the Manager of Technical Training will have a key focus on building the internal infrastructure needed to develop, certify, and advance LAUNCH’s technical workforce.

In this role, Mikos will lead the development and management of LAUNCH’s technical training programs, establish and expand the Training Center of Excellence, and support strategic initiatives focused on licensing and certification pathways, skills development, and workforce readiness. Mikos will be responsible for developing scalable training systems that ensure technicians have access to structured development opportunities while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

“Developing a world-class maintenance organization starts with how we invest in our people,” said Marco Nogueira, senior vice president of quality & technical development at LAUNCH. “The manager of technical training role is a foundational step in building a structured, scalable approach to skills development and certification. Kevin brings the depth of operational and instructional leadership needed to turn that vision into a reality and elevate the way we develop technical talent across our organization.”

“This appointment reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more capable maintenance enterprise that can scale with the needs of our customers,” added David Campbell, Chief Operating Officer. “By strengthening our technical training infrastructure, we are ensuring our teams have the skills, consistency, and career pathways required to deliver safe, high-quality maintenance at every level of our operations.”

Mikos brings more than 20 years of aviation maintenance and technical training leadership experience to LAUNCH. An FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) professional, he most recently served as Superintendent of Technical Training Operations for the United States Air Force at McConnell Air Force Base, where he led large-scale aviation maintenance training programs supporting multiple locations and aircraft platforms.

Throughout his military career, Mikos has held leadership roles spanning aircraft maintenance operations, production supervision, training oversight, and instructor development. As regional senior enlisted leader for the 373d Training Squadron’s Central Region, he oversees nearly 200 enlisted and civilian personnel delivering maintenance training across six Field Training Detachments supporting 17 aircraft platforms and multiple Department of Defense and NATO partners.

His experience in curriculum development, instructor leadership, regulatory compliance, and workforce development will be instrumental in advancing LAUNCH’s technical training capabilities and supporting long-term organizational growth.

Beyond his military service, Mikos is actively involved with Moving Veterans Forward, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping active-duty service members, reservists, and veterans obtain FAA licensure and transition into aviation careers. His commitment to developing aviation professionals aligns closely with LAUNCH’s mission to build a highly skilled and sustainable workforce.

“Kevin’s passion for training, mentorship, and workforce development stood out immediately,” added Marco. “He understands what it takes to build not just technical capability, but a culture of continuous development and excellence.”

The Essential Qualities Every Top Aircraft Mechanic Program Should Have

Choosing the right aircraft mechanic program sets the foundation for your entire aviation career. With dozens of schools competing for your attention, separating excellent programs from subpar ones can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down the essential qualities that set top-tier training apart.

Start with the Official FAA Part 147 Certification

This is the most critical baseline requirement for any legitimate training program. FAA Part 147 certification means the Federal Aviation Administration has reviewed and approved the school’s curriculum, facilities, equipment and instructor qualifications. These schools operate under strict federal oversight to ensure they meet rigorous standards for aircraft mechanic education.

Graduating from a Part 147 school is the direct path to qualifying for your Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams. This designation ensures programs meet federally regulated standards for curriculum content, equipment quality and instructor credentials.

Federal oversight protects your investment by guaranteeing the training you receive aligns with what the FAA expects you to know. Programs lacking this certification may offer classes, but they won’t position you to sit for the exams that lead to your official credentials.

Prioritize a Curriculum with Extensive Hands-On Training

Reading textbooks and watching demonstrations can only take you so far. The best aircraft mechanic programs provide substantial time working with real aircraft, engines and industry-standard tools in workshop environments.

This practical experience builds the confidence and muscle memory you need to succeed in actual maintenance roles. You’ll discover what components actually feel like when you handle them, gain familiarity with tools under real working conditions and learn to troubleshoot problems that don’t match textbook scenarios.

Look for schools that give you access to a variety of aircraft types instead of relying heavily on simulators or classroom theory alone. Programs that emphasize hangar time allow you to work firsthand with piston engines, turbine systems, hydraulic assemblies and avionics installations. The gap between theoretical knowledge and practical ability can be significant, so hands-on training transforms students into competent mechanics ready for employment.

Analyze the Program Schedule and Flexibility

Your life circumstances matter when choosing a training path. Some schools offer accelerated daytime programs designed for students who can commit full-time, while others provide evening or weekend options for those balancing work or family responsibilities. Explore the available schedule formats to find one that aligns with your current obligations and learning preferences.

The right schedule keeps you engaged without overwhelming your capacity to absorb complex technical material. Rushing through content you don’t fully understand serves no one, but neither does dragging out your training longer than necessary.

Verify the School’s Career Support and Industry Partnerships

A top-tier program’s responsibility extends well beyond your graduation date. The most empowering schools help launch your career through job placement assistance, resume guidance and established relationships with aviation employers. These industry connections can make the difference between submitting applications into a void and securing interviews with companies seeking new mechanics. Strong partnerships mean employers already know the quality of graduates a school produces.

Schools like A&P Mechanic Institute get students career-ready in as little as 15 months and actively help organize interviews within their network of flight schools and maintenance employers. Founded in 2020, APMI cultivates the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals with a strong commitment to excellence, safety and comprehensive training. Its approach emphasizes small classes, a personal touch, approachable staff and tuition and career support throughout your training journey.

Evaluate Instructor Experience

Credentials are valuable, but real-world industry experience proves even more essential. Look for schools whose instructors bring diverse backgrounds from areas like general aviation, corporate jets, manufacturing and overhaul operations.

This variety ensures you receive a well-rounded education that reflects the field’s actual breadth. An instructor who has only worked in one specialized area may excel in that domain but struggle to prepare you for the full range of scenarios you’ll encounter in your career.

For instance, APMI instructors have worked in multiple aviation sectors and can share practical insights that textbooks don’t capture. Their experience allows them to explain the nuances of different aircraft systems, the challenges of various work environments and the problem-solving approaches that prove most effective on the job. Beyond what the manual says to do, they can clarify why certain approaches work better in practice and how to adapt when standard procedures don’t fit the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aircraft Mechanic Programs

Prospective students often have similar concerns when researching training options. Here are clear answers to the questions that typically come up.

How long does it take to get an A&P certification?

The total time in a Part 147 school typically ranges from 12 to 24 months, depending on the program structure. Some accelerated programs compress the timeline for students who can commit full-time, while part-time options extend the duration for working students. After completing your training, you’ll need to pass written, oral and practical exams to earn your official A&P certification.

Do you need prior experience to enroll in a program?

No, you don’t need prior experience. FAA-approved Part 147 programs, such as those offered by APMI, are designed to take students with no aviation background and provide all the knowledge and skills needed to test for certification. These programs start with foundational concepts and progressively build toward advanced competencies.

What is the job outlook for aircraft mechanics?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, aircraft industry employment is projected to grow, with around 11,300 job openings expected annually over the next decade. This steady demand reflects the ongoing need for qualified mechanics as the aviation industry continues expanding.

Choose the Right Program for Your Aviation Career

Using these qualities as your evaluation framework, you can make an informed and confident decision that sets you up for a successful and rewarding career in aviation. The right program combines official certification, practical training, flexible scheduling, career support and experienced instruction to transform your aspirations into professional reality.

Why Aircraft Transitions in APAC Require More Than Standard CAMO Support

Asia-Pacific remains one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, driven by fleet expansion, increasing aircraft leasing activity, and strong passenger demand. The region already accounts for nearly 25% of global international seat capacity, while Southeast Asian operators alone are expected to require more than 4,800 new aircraft over the next 20 years.

This rapid growth is creating new challenges for aircraft lessors and operators. As aircraft move more frequently between operators, jurisdictions, and maintenance environments, managing aircraft transitions, regulatory requirements, and technical risk is becoming increasingly complex across the region.

“One of the biggest misconceptions in aircraft transitions today is assuming technical compliance alone guarantees a smooth delivery,” said Phillip M. Pilipunas, Vice President Commercial – APAC Engineering Department at FL Technics. “In reality, transition projects across APAC require simultaneous coordination between engineering, records integrity, regulatory interpretation, maintenance planning, and stakeholders.”

Technical Records Accuracy and Aircraft Transition Challenges

In APAC, aircraft often undergo multiple operator changes, CAMO transfers, and maintenance events across different regulatory environments throughout their lifecycle. As a result, technical records are not always fully standardized or immediately traceable.

For lessors, documentation gaps, inconsistencies between maintenance tracking systems, and missing component traceability can quickly lead to commercial impact. Even minor transition delays may result in extended parking exposure, lease revenue loss, additional maintenance costs, and reduced delivery predictability. Minimizing transition uncertainty is becoming increasingly important from both technical and commercial perspectives.

Navigating Regulatory Requirements Across Multiple Jurisdictions

Aircraft transitions in APAC often involve multiple regulatory authorities and approval processes. As aircraft move between jurisdictions, operators and lessors may need to manage different airworthiness requirements, import and export approvals, registration changes, and local regulatory procedures.

Requirements that are accepted in one jurisdiction may require additional review, documentation, or approval in another. As a result, transition projects often involve coordination between civil aviation authorities, lessors, operators, CAMO organizations, and maintenance providers across multiple markets.

“Successful transition management is not only about completing technical work,” said Phillip M. Pilipunas. “It also requires understanding the regulatory expectations of different authorities and ensuring that all required approvals and documentation are addressed at the right stage of the project.”

Early planning and close coordination between all stakeholders can help reduce uncertainty and support smoother aircraft transitions across different regulatory environments.

Why Local Presence Matters in APAC

As aircraft transitions become increasingly complex across APAC, lessors and operators are placing greater importance on partners that can provide both local support and specialized transition expertise.

To strengthen regional responsiveness and project coordination capabilities, FL Technics Engineering has expanded its local office and team in Thailand, Bangkok to support aircraft lessors, airlines, and operators involved in complex aircraft transition projects across Asia-Pacific.

The local team supports on-the-ground technical coordination, faster communication with regional stakeholders, and quicker deployment during transition projects.

“In APAC, speed and responsiveness often determine whether a project stays on schedule,” said Pilipunas. “Having engineering support closer to customers and operational environments allows issues to be addressed faster and with better situational awareness.”

“It is not uncommon to encounter documentation gaps, inconsistencies between maintenance tracking systems, or missing component traceability,” Pilipunas explained. “Resolving these situations requires not only compliance knowledge, but also practical engineering judgement, airworthiness expertise, and hands-on aircraft transition experience.”

FL Technics Engineering approaches aircraft transitions from both an engineering and technical asset management perspective. By combining technical records review, physical inspections, airworthiness assessments, and redelivery support, the company helps lessors and operators reduce technical risk, maintain regulatory compliance, and establish a clear and reliable asset status.

Duncan Aviation Installs Gogo’s Satellite-Based Galileo HDX and FDX

Duncan Aviation has provided owners and operators of business aircraft with Gogo connectivity solutions for more than 20 years. Throughout the years, Gogo connectivity solutions have been at the center of what business travelers have needed to remain productive during flights. The Gogo terrestrial-based systems have developed into a broader and more capable global system. Duncan Aviation is a part of the technological journey to offer the next iteration of Gogo in-flight connectivity experience to business aviation travelers.

Duncan Aviation technicians have installed several of the Gogo Galileo HDX and FDX high-speed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) IFC systems on make/models at its main facilities (Lincoln, Nebraska; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Provo, Utah) and at select Duncan Aviation Satellite facilities.

Over the years, Duncan Aviation technicians have installed hundreds of Gogo connectivity systems in more than a dozen makes and models of business aircraft. Duncan Aviation has the trained and experienced technicians with the necessary tooling and facilities to perform the work.

“Gogo’s Galileo systems are low-latency, high-speed, satellite-based systems that provide Duncan Aviation’s customers a reliable, in-flight broadband connection. Multiple users can simultaneously stream live content (YouTube, Netflix, etc.), conduct internet-based meetings, access VPN networks, share files, make voice and video calls, and send and receive texts,” says Nate Klenke, Duncan Aviation’s modifications sales danager. “Gogo has provided reliable air-to-ground connectivity systems for years, and now Galileo allows you to have the Gogo experience around the world. We are proud of the long history we have with Gogo products and services, and we’re pleased to offer them to our customers wherever their business takes them.”

“Duncan Aviation’s reputation for installation excellence and customer service makes them an outstanding partner for Gogo,” says CCO of Gogo Michael Skov Christensen. “Their expertise helps customers quickly realize the benefits of Gogo Galileo, including reliable high-speed global connectivity, immediate hardware availability, guaranteed service pricing for up to three years, and Gogo Vision at no additional cost with unlimited plans. Combined with our commitment to data privacy and 24/7/365 global support, Galileo delivers a secure and seamless connectivity experience worldwide.”

Certification is available for Gogo Galileo HDX and FDX on numerous makes and models of business aircraft, and Duncan Aviation has the parts and hardware needed to equip your aircraft.