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Aerospace Technology Week dates announced for 2019

Aug 21, 2018

Aerospace Technology Week has announced dates for next years event as 12th-13th March 2019 to take place at the MOC Event Center in Munich, Germany, and is set to be the largest gathering for the avionics, electronics, connectivity, aerospace testing and airline communities.

Aerospace Technology Week comprises of THREE complementary co-located Events:
(1) AVIONICS EXPO
(2) AERO TESTING EXPO
(3) CONNECTED AIRCRAFT EUROPE

Each Event has a dedicated High Level Conference and there is a LARGE central Exhibition with sections for each and further details can be found at http://www.aerospacetechweek.com.

Avionics Expo
Established for over 10 years, Avionics Expo is the leading exhibition and conference for both the commercial and defence sectors, fixed wing and rotorcraft.

Both SESAR and Next-Gen recognise the need to integrate the air and ground parts of their air traffic management systems by addressing efficiency needs of flight trajectories planning and execution and the seamless sharing of accurate information.

This framework provides a vehicle for the US and Europe to work together towards interoperable standards and in support of efforts towards achievement of ICAO global Harmonisation. For example, a significant achievement in the NextGen and SESAR collaboration is the delivery of an agreed-upon baseline NextGen/SESAR Joint Avionics Roadmap.

ICAO estimates that 120 billion US dollars will be spent on air transportation systems transformation in the next 10 years. While the NextGen and SESAR modernisation programmes account for a large share of this spending in Europe and the US, there are parallel investment initiatives in other regions.

Aero Testing Expo
Aero Testing Expo, running for its third year, is a key platform for the aviation, rocket-and-space sectors to discuss the latest regulations, challenges, technological developments and systems that affect the design and construction of aircraft, whether civil or military, fixed-wing or rotary, and rocket/space sectors.

With every hour, every cycle, every landing added to the aircraft, comes the potential for vibration, fatigue, cracking, metal formation in oil, structural degradation and even the eventuality of a catastrophic engine failure like the one that happened on Southwest Flight 1380 in the Spring of 2018.

Even with record profits, not a single operator can afford a failure like that. And while the aviation safety record is enviable right now, there is no rest or slacking off in the inspections and testing of the equipment in operation in our fleets. Inspection and testing equipment technology is making technological leaps and bounds.

Connected Aircraft Europe
The inaugural Connected Aircraft Europe aims to add new dimensions to the established connectivity themes of IFC and IFEC – by including AI, VR, IoT, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Flight Tracking, Flight Operations and MRO applications.

Airline operators around the world are increasingly deploying satellite and broadband-based solutions on their aircraft to keep-up with passenger demand for inflight connectivity (IFC). These systems can also provide enhanced flight operations by enabling real time data sharing with ground based operations teams.

According to recent research from the London School of Economics (LSE) there are 3.8 billion passengers flying annually with only around 25% of aircraft in the air offering passengers some form of onboard broadband connectivity service. This service is often of variable quality, with patchy coverage, slow speeds and low data limits.

Aerospace Technology Week
These events bring you the latest advances and trends in connectivity and e-Enablement for airlines, the latest in regulatory, policy and technical SES and Next‑Gen challenges for avionics, and the technological developments and systems that affect the design, construction and maintenance of all aircraft.

Bringing together the best aspects for aerospace technology, Aerospace Technology Week, comprising of Avionics Expo, Aero Testing Expo and Connected Aircraft Europe delivers greater connectivity between these exciting, fast moving aerospace industry sectors.

CALL FOR PAPERS – deadline 7th September 2018
The conference committees for Avionics Expo, Aero Testing Expo and Connected Aircraft Europe are inviting abstracts for consideration for inclusion in the conference programme.

Representatives from airlines, airframers, prime contractors/integrators and the industry supply chain can benefit from sharing knowledge and experiences, to enhance the industry developments and solutions.

Abstracts can be submitted at www.aerospacetechweek.com/cfp. Deadline for abstracts is 7th September 2018.

Single European Sky and NextGen continue to dominate the aerospace industry, with targets of ensuring the utilisation of technology to increase traffic, improve aircraft and control communications whilst enhancing safety in an ever increasingly busy sky.

Passengers are demanding more from the aircraft in which they fly – 61% of passengers see high-quality inflight Wi-Fi availability as more important to them than onboard entertainment.

Adrian Broadbent, Event Director of Aerospace Technology Week, said, “There is much for the aerospace industry to discuss and develop in terms of safe and secure solutions for aircraft. Our increasing demand for air travel creates busier skies and higher expectations on aircraft to be online 24/7 means huge investments in greater connectivity. This in turn leads to increased security risks for aircraft and its passengers devices from being permanently online.”

“Aerospace Technology Week will look at these challenges across commercial, military and space crafts to understand the issues and challenges, from a regulatory perspective through to implementation and technology solutions, through the different elements of the programme – avionics, connect aircraft and testing or hardware and software applications. Aerospace Technology Week delivers an exciting programme for the global industry to explore and question the experts,” concluded Mr Broadbent.

For further information on Aerospace Technology Week visit www.AerospaceTechWeek.com.

Goodyear to Study Tire Materials In Space Station Experiments

Jul 25, 2018

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has plans to test tire components in space as part of a project in the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, through an experiment expected to launch later this year.

In the microgravity environment of the space station, Goodyear will study the formation of silica particles, a common material used in consumer tires. By gathering knowledge from this evaluation, Goodyear engineers and scientists can determine if further investigation of unique forms of precipitated silica should be considered in tires.

“Goodyear has been a pioneer in tire innovations related to space, with the first and only tires on the moon, numerous projects with NASA and now this,” said Eric Mizner, Goodyear’s director of global materials science. “It underscores our passion for going to the ends of the earth – and beyond – to develop new technologies that help us deliver breakthrough products with true consumer benefits.”

Goodyear made the announcement during the ISS Research and Development Conference, held in San Francisco.

Recent academic experiments in microgravity conditions have demonstrated the ability to generate unique morphologies that could show potential in delivering higher performance products. Should a breakthrough take place with this Goodyear investigation onboard the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, it could lead to improvements in fuel efficiency and other performance factors.

The in-space evaluation is being conducted through an agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the organization tasked by NASA to manage the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.

“The ISS National Lab can provide companies and researchers opportunities to evaluate materials within their product line and in ways not previously possible,” said CASIS Director of Commercial Innovation Cynthia Bouthot. “Today’s announcement of Goodyear sending an investigation to the space station further demonstrates that companies are thinking creatively to enhance their product lines, while also looking at humanitarian ways to improve the condition of our planet.”

To learn more about the on-orbit capabilities of the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, including past research initiatives and available facilities, visit www.spacestationresearch.com.

NORDAM Voluntarily Files Reorganization Petition

Jul 25, 2018

The NORDAM Group, Inc., has filed a voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11 reorganization. NORDAM’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates have not filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States or in their home jurisdictions. The action comes following a protracted contract dispute with Pratt & Whitney Canada regarding the PW800 nacelle system used in Gulfstream G500 and G600 aircraft.

“This court filing is not what we wanted to do, but it is what we had to do,” says Meredith Madden, NORDAM CEO. “It is the best path forward for our company because it allows our business to operate without interruption.” The filing is supported by additional financing from NORDAM’s bank lenders to help ensure operations continue uninterrupted during the restructuring process. “We are confident in our company and its future. We will emerge from the Chapter 11 process successfully, as an even stronger company,” Madden says. “During an eight-year period, we invested in excess of $200 million. The PW800 nacelle system has FAA approval and is operating as expected, having flown more than 6,400 flight-test hours as of July 20 with exceptional performance and quality.” Madden emphasized today’s court filing in no way affects other NORDAM programs or customers.

“Outside of the contract situation with Pratt & Whitney Canada, our company programs and product lines are performing well, and we are pursuing several new business opportunities,” she said, adding that the company’s focus is on programs with high-growth potential and a strong competitive position in several market niches.

Malaysia Airlines Jet Damaged After Returning for Landing – Pitot Covers Allegedly Left On

Jul 24, 2018

A Malaysia Airlines A330 (MH124) took off from Brisbane, Australia bound for Kuala Lumpur apparently with the pitot covers still on. The airspeed indicators failed to function, but the aircraft took off anyway. The crew reported loss of airspeed. They remained in the air for about 40 minutes and dumped fuel before returning and making a high-speed emergency landing back at Brisbane.

Without accurate indication of speeds on landing, the aircraft made a hard landing (as described by passengers) and the nose wheel was damaged. After the landing the aircraft had to be towed to the gate due to the damage to the nose wheel.

Fuselage-mounted pitot tubes were covered while the aircraft was on the ground to prevent insects from entering them and mud wasps are a particular concern at that airport. The covers were allegedly not removed before the aircraft took off. Since the airspeed indicators were not functioning properly, the crew had no good reading of the speed for landing and did damage to the nose wheel. The ATBS is investigating.

Superior Air Parts Extends Warranty on New Millennium Cylinders

Jul 23, 2018

Scott Hayes, VP, Sales and Marketing for Superior Air Parts, Inc., announced today that the company has increased the warranty on all factory-new Millennium Cylinders to an industry-leading 37 months or to TBO, whichever occurs first. It is also extending the warranty on all factory-new piece parts to 24 months or to TBO, whichever occurs first.

“In the 51 years since Superior was formed, we have made a long list of significant advancements in the engineering and production quality that goes into every part and component we make,” Hayes said. “We decided that the best way to really demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality components is give our customers the best warranties in general aviation.”

“Our new 37-month or to TBO warranty on Superior Millennium Cylinders is 13 months longer than the longest warranty offered by either of our competitors,” he said. “That alone should let aircraft owners know how confident we are that our cylinders will go the distance.”

Hayes said that the new 37/24-month warranties apply to Millennium Cylinders and Superior FAA PMA piece parts sold after January 01, 2018.

Superior warrants that each new FAA/PMA replacement Millennium Cylinders will be free from defects in material and workmanship for 37 months of operation from the date of first operation, or recommended TBO, whichever occurs first. Superior warrants that each new FAA/PMA replacement part/piece part will be free from defects in material and workmanship for 24 months of operation from the date of first operation, or recommended TBO, whichever occurs first.

Azul Renews Global Maintenance Agreement for 10 Years

Jul 18, 2018

After almost eight years of cooperation, ATR and the Brazilian carrier Azul announced the renewal of their Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). This new ten-year contract covers the repair, overhaul and pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, along with propeller availability and maintenance, plus on-site stock support. Covering Azul’s entire 33 aircraft ATR fleet, ATR says this support package represents their biggest maintenance contract.

“As Brazil’s leading airline brand, serving more than 100 destinations with 739 daily flights, Azul demands industry leading reliability and availability,” Flavio Costa, VP Operations of Azul, says. “Since we started our operations in 2008, we have been the fastest growing airline in Brazil and ATR has been, and will continue to be, a reliable partner all along the way, making sure that we benefit from the appropriate support, as, when and where needed, to make the most of our aircraft.”

“With more than 30 ATR 72-600 aircraft in service, Azul is ATR’s largest operator in Latin America, and we are honoured to see this partnership renewed for 10 years. This renewal is the best tribute a customer can offer to the quality and economics of our products and services. When the GMA was launched in 1996, ATR was the only manufacturer offering such a service. Today, ATR is the leader in terms of “power by the hour” programmes for ATR aircraft with over 50% of the market share.” Tom Anderson, SVP Programs and Customer Services at ATR.

GE Aviation Opens Pneumatics Laboratory in Rockford, Ill.

Jul 13, 2018

GE Aviation, Rockford has opened a new facility that enables the company to test jet engine components under a full range of temperatures, pressures and other conditions. The Advanced Engineering Pneumatics Test Laboratory, known as AdEPT, represents a $13 million investment, and the company hopes it will help fuel continued growth at their Rockford plant.

“We are very excited about this new facility, which will support development of a new generation of products,” said GE Aviation’s Rockford site leader Chris Lauret. “AdEPT allows us to perform extremely complicated physical tests that are critical to delivering the reliability and operability our customers require.”

GE says the new facility is dedicated to testing complex, high-precision components including engine pneumatic valves, starter systems, turbo machinery, heat exchangers, and bleed air systems. The 20,000-square foot AdEPT lab is capable of simulating a wide variety of conditions, combining pneumatic temperature, pressure and flow to simulate real-world conditions.

“Before AdEPT, we had to rely on computer simulations,” said Bryan Schwichtenberg, who led the 30-month project to develop the new lab. “Now we are able to test large, complex systems in a variety of conditions to optimize our designs and performance.”

The Rockford facility is expanding as production of GE Aviation’s jet engines reaches record levels. The 150,000-square foot facility employs a total of 220 people, including nearly 100 hourly production workers, a commercial team, and an engineering staff of more than 40 people. The facility manufactures and repairs a variety of components that support both GE’s commercial & military jet engines, as well as powerplants for helicopters, naval vessels, and tanks. Products include pneumatic & electro-mechanical valves, utility actuators, temperature controllers and high performance fans and blowers.

StandardAero Certifies Honeywell JetWave Ka-band System for Bombardier Global Express, Global 5000 and Global 6000

Jul 13, 2018

StandardAero, in partnership with California-based MRO ACI Jet, recently certified another Honeywell JetWaveTM Ka-band satellite communication system, completing a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installations on Bombardier Global Express, Global 5000 and Global 6000 Aircraft.

Honeywell’s JetWave system is a popular offering in the world of in-flight connectivity, utilizing Ka-band technology to replicate the speed and performance that consumers are accustomed to in their homes. StandardAero’s STC provides for installation of the Honeywell JetWave hardware, under a Honeywell Ka radome, along with a Honeywell CNX-900 router. StandardAero partnered with ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo, CA, to complete the installation.

The STC is now available to all Honeywell dealers.

“StandardAero has invested significantly and become an industry leader in connectivity installations across all types of business aircraft. As with our recently announced STC on Gulfstream aircraft, this new STC provides best-in-class technology and allows us to increase capacity to the market for these critical installations at a time when installation demand is soaring, especially now that the ADS-B mandate is only 18 months away. This means Global operators can upgrade to the highest-bandwidth technology sooner and simultaneously reduce downtime and cost,” said Marc Drobny, president of StandardAero Business Aviation.

“All of us at ACI Jet were excited to partner with StandardAero on this ambitious project,” noted Dave Jensen, ACI Jet’s vice president of Aircraft Maintenance. “For an installation of this magnitude, where systems throughout the aircraft must communicate with precision over newly-engineered equipment and components, to have a flawless, squawk-free startup and test flight illustrates the level of professionalism and ingenuity that both parties brought to the table.”

Airbus Rebrands Bombardier C Series to A220-100 and A220-300

Jul 10, 2018

Airbus has rebranded the Bombardier C Series aircraft to the Airbus A220. The A220 family comprises the two models, the A220-100 and A220-300, formerly Bombardier’s CS100 and CS300. Airbus marketers say the aircraft are “fully optimized for the 100 to 150 seat market and perfectly complement Airbus’ existing best-selling A320neo family.”

The unveiling occurred at a ceremony held at its Henri-Ziegler Delivery Center, near Toulouse. The A220-300 landed directly from their painting facility wearing the new Airbus name and colors.

“Today, we are thrilled to welcome the A220 to the Airbus family and are honored to see it wearing its new Airbus colors for the first time,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus president Commercial Aircraft. “I pay tribute to all the women and men at Bombardier and the supply chain who have strived over the past years to bring this fantastic aircraft to the world. The A220 now enters a new phase in its career with all Airbus’ resources behind it to further its commercial success worldwide.”

Eastern European MRO: High Ambitions, Expanding Range

Jul 8, 2018

The European MRO marketplace has grown and thrived. In our annual foray into the European market segment, we are taking a two-part look at the region. We start, in this first part, with a look at Eastern Europe. Next issue we will delve into the Western European segment.

While the Eastern European MRO market is much smaller than its Western European counterpart, it is ramping up to new levels of capability. These companies are agile, ambitious, and hungry for business. They are clearly laying the groundwork for continued growth.

Eastern European MROs have traditionally been strong in heavy maintenance since they have relatively lower labor costs, says Richard Brown, principal with ICF. But Eastern Europe is growing stronger in engine maintenance and MROs are rapidly adding services such as aircraft painting, component maintenance, leasing, asset management, continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) monitoring, and interior refurbishment.

The region has challenges, such as rising labor costs and competition from lower-wage countries. But Eastern European MROs are enthusiastically adopting new technologies – from 3D printing to augmented reality — and are winning new customers not only in the East but in Western Europe and Asia Pacific.

Opportunities

Poland soon will host two major new engine maintenance joint ventures. In 2017 Lufthansa Technik (LHT) and GE laid the foundation stone for XEOS, which will focus on the next generation of GE large engines, says Robert Gaag, LHT’s senior vice president for corporate sales EMEA.

The second Polish JV, put together by LHT and MTU Aero Engines in December of 2017, is Engine Maintenance Europe, or EME Aero, which will focus on overhauling Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines. MTU estimates that EME Aero will have an annual capacity of more than 400 shop visits for PW1000G-series engines – the same that power the A320neo family of aircraft. The facility is slated to be up and running in 2020, says Leo Koppers, MTU’s senior vice president of MRO programs.

FL Technics has recently completed a CAMO audit and OASES integration project for a Spanish long-haul carrier, Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas. The airline used FL Technics to complete their Airbus A340 fleet’s airworthiness data check, CAMO software integration and training of its engineering team.

Eastern Europe is a beehive of activity with companies such as FL Technics (Lithuania), Magnetic MRO (Estonia), Aeroplex of Central Europe (Hungary), and LHT in Budapest (Hungary) and Sofia (Bulgaria).

Analysts disagree about the region’s near-term growth prospects. ICF projects MRO demand in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will expand from 2017 to 2027 at a 5.5 percent compound annual growth rate, beating the projected global annual growth rate of 4.6 percent over the period. MRO spend in this region is expected to grow from about $6 billion in 2017 to about $10 billion by 2027.

Other analysts paint a less optimistic picture, citing economic sanctions placed on Russia as a deterrent to stronger growth. Oliver Wyman, in its 2018-2028 global fleet and MRO forecast projects that Eastern Europe will grow at 2 percent annually over the period.

Forecasts aside, Eastern European MROs are doing the right things. They are winning new customers, adding new services, adopting the latest technologies, and expanding their footprint to other corners of the world.

FL Technics

Late last year FL Technics announced contracts with Lufthansa Group airlines, Germanwings, for base maintenance and Swiss International Air Lines for base maintenance, engineering, and Design Organization Approval (DOA) services. Earlier this year it announced a similar agreement with another Lufthansa Group carrier, Eurowings Europe. FL Technics also performs line maintenance, component support, engine and APU management, CAMO services, and technical training.

In addition to new business in Europe, Moldova, and Russia, FL Technics is looking to Asia, where it is already an approved spare parts supplier to Asiana Airlines, AirAsia X, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, T’way Airlines, and Indonesia’s GMF AeroAsia. The MRO has a hangar in Jakarta, Indonesia, for base maintenance and plans to open base maintenance facilities in Thailand and China, says CEO Zilvinas Lapinskas.

FL Technics has employed LEAN philosophy for more than four years, which has resulted in improved turnaround times and re-engineered customer support processes, he says.

Magnetic MRO

The Chinese firm, Guangzhou Hangxin Aviation Technology, completed acquisition of Magnetic in April 2018. “Following this … change in shareholder structure, we are creating substantial synergies and new business opportunities in Asia,” says Jan Kotka, Magnetic MRO’s chief operating officer.

Revenues have jumped from 50.5 million euros in 2016 to more than 90 million euros in 2017. Growth has been generated mainly from existing customers, Kotka says, thanks to new business models and services.

Magnetic’s newest facility is a paint hangar it opened in November 2017 at its home base in Tallinn, Estonia. The 2,853-square-meter facility features a “custom docking system” which can serve different aircraft types. The MRO provides commercial and VIP painting services for a range of aircraft, including the 737 MAX and the A320neo family as well as “all other narrow-body aircraft.”

Magnetic is looking at new business opportunities in Asia after being acquired by Guangzhou Hangxin Aviation Technology. The MRO has added asset management services through Magnetic Parts Trading, a JV with Crestline Investors; added engine top case repair and bushing replacement; partnered with Kuehne+Nagel on global engine stand management, and teamed with Component OH Services for landing gear overhaul and repair, among other initiative.

Magnetic also has added asset management services through Magnetic Parts Trading Ltd., a JV with Crestline Investors formed in Q4 2017. The unit focuses on acquiring aircraft and engines for immediate part-out or short-term lease and subsequent part-out, Kotka says. This JV “has been our key leverage to support our expansion strategy to asset management … and to differentiate us from the low-cost, labor-intensive regional MROs.” So now Magnetic can not only maintain aircraft, but also lease aircraft and provide or lease new engines, he says. Magnetic qualified as a CAMO in 2015.

Magnetic already has booked 75 percent of its heavy maintenance slots in Tallinn for the 2019/2020 winter season to Austrian Airlines. The company also has added engine top case repair and bushing replacement, partnered with Kuehne+Nagel on global engine stand management, and teamed with Component OH Services for landing gear overhaul and repair. MAC Interiors, a UK company the MRO acquired in 2016, has provided entry to premium MRO services.

Aeroplex, meanwhile, provides base and heavy maintenance, line maintenance, aircraft storage, component repair, aircraft handover services, and even Wi-Fi installation. Recently it announced line maintenance capability for the A320neo. Its Bloomberg profile cites CAMO engineering, maintenance planning, and record keeping/archiving. The Part 145-approved station also performs major modifications of aircraft structures.

Challenges

The top European MRO challenge is high labor costs, which put pressure on margins and force MROs “to reinvent their business models and strategies constantly,” Kotka says. But he sees “niche and growth opportunities for relatively small MROs like Magnetic through … agility, quality, and reliability of integrated services.” FL Technics also cites rising labor costs and a shortage of engineers and specialists.

Eastern Europe also faces keen competition for airframe maintenance from neighboring countries such as Turkey – with Turkish Technics and MNG Technic – and from the likes of JorAMCo (Jordan Aircraft Maintenance) in the Middle East.

Despite growing industry concerns about OEM encroachment, FL Technics sees opportunities for cooperation. The OEMs “are just too big to maintain a smoothly running global aftermarket support network on their own,” Lapinskas says. “It’s no secret that air carriers express concerns over parts delivery time, customer support flexibility, and some other issues.” What airlines expect from MROs is flexibility and efficiency – during both contract negotiation and execution, he says. “It’s not the size but the attitude that matters.”

Technology

FL Technics agrees that AI and big data analytics, as well as information security technologies like neue kryptowährung and blockchain, will be key for MROs. Blockchain technology promises to play an important role in record tracking, preventing the use of counterfeit parts and ensuring that documents aren’t altered, Lapinskas says. It also can save time for lessors during aircraft redelivery.

“And let’s not forget about artificial intelligence-driven chatbots,” which can help HR teams in searching through multiple on-line job platforms for potential candidates, Lapinskas says. Chatbots integrated within platforms like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, and Skype “could automate many processes like AOG support, when the systems instantly react to an RFQ [request for quotation] with a quote and even allow [users] to order parts and set delivery locations.”

Magnetic MRO also is using augmented reality for livery visualization prior to painting, Kotka says. Besides introducing 3D printing into aircraft parts production, Magnetic is using HTC Vive virtual reality headsets and software to provide customers simulations of what the interiors would look like when changes are made.