Category: PRs

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has selected WebX Systems of Redhill, Surrey, UK to deliver a new long-term Technical Publications and Publishing System for the support of its regional airliner products for a minimum of the next ten years.

The new system, Ultra CSDB, will replace several legacy systems currently in use with a single fully-integrated solution, from content generation through to an online PDF delivery using the WebX UltraPortal offering.

Access to the new service will continue to be through the Regional Aircraft portal (www.regional-services.com).

The total project cost, including the system purchase together with internal manhours at Regional Aircraft’s Prestwick, Scotland, facility to deliver data transfer from the legacy systems, and IT support amounts to about £750,000 or about $ 1,126,000.

“This is a major statement of our ongoing commitment to the long-term support of our products”, said Sean McGovern, managing director of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.

“This sizable investment ensures that the business will be at the forefront of delivering good quality technical data which can be easily accessed in a timely manner.

“It will give our customers the ability to download publications on-line and will meet their expectations for a PDF delivery compatible with many industry-standard electronic flight bags.”

Project work started at Prestwick in early November and will take some 18 months to complete. In total approximately 3000 manuals have to be transferred along with details for the 2,500 users of the current iSAPPHIRE system. The transition from the legacy systems to the new WebX system will be done by aircraft type, starting with the 29-seat Jetstream 41 turboprop airliner.

The first phase will be a proof of concept to ensure that data migration from a selection of Jetstream 41 manuals to the new system have been successfully transferred. Customers will be invited to take part in a testing stage before the system is fully released for use. For several months both legacy systems and the new system will operate side by side to ensure continuity of service.

The Advanced Turboprop ATP airliner/freighter will follow and then succeeded by the older BAe 748 turboprop airliner. Next will be the 18/19 seat Jetstream 31/32 turboprops, with the final phase being the BAe 146/Avro RJ regional jets for completion by mid-2017.

Andy McAdam, Technical Publications & Maintenance Services Manager added: We have been working on this new project for some time along with our colleagues from BAE Systems Military Air and Information where the WebX system has been operational since the summer and performing very well.

“The previous legacy systems we operate are different as they were inherited from previous manufacturing sites, and these have become superseded over time with support for these platforms now being difficult.

“Importantly, the new WebX system means we can narrow the skill sets we need to operate the new offering, making us more efficient and delivering manual revisions quicker than we currently do. Essentially, we are changing the way we work from generating content through to customer delivery.”

Chromalloy recently announced Brian Sartain, a senior aerospace executive, has been named as the company’s vice president, Commercial Aero & Military Strategic Business Unit (SBU).

“Brian has a terrific track record in growing aerospace businesses and units, including technical achievement, new product introduction, and expanded customer relationships,” said Carlo Luzzatto, president. “We welcome his tremendous expertise and leadership.”

Sartain, an aerospace executive for more than 25 years, has held executive assignments in all aspects of global business.

Previously he worked at United Technologies Aerospace Systems (UTAS) and Goodrich Aerospace, which was acquired by United Technologies Corporation, where he worked for more than 20 years.

Most recently Sartain was vice president, Business Development – Sensors & Integrated Systems, where he led strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and product line management. Simultaneous to that role, he was Shareholder Representative at the UTAS and Silicon Sensing Systems Joint Venture based in Japan, a senior level appointment.

He also held positions at UTAS Inertial, Control & Aircraft Management unit and Goodrich Cabins & Lighting Systems.

He began his career as a Design Engineer at Goodrich Sensor Systems and held successive leadership roles as well as functional roles including Engineering Director of the Aero Engines Group at Goodrich. In addition to multiple patents, Sartain holds a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering and mechanics from the University of Minnesota and an Executive MBA from the Carlson School of Management.

Chromalloy operates a network of gas turbine engine repair centers around the world that provides a broad range of services on components in the engine gas path or hot section.

Sherwin-Williams announced its new 2016 aerospace coatings training program schedule to further provide aerospace coatings painting professionals with the continuous training required to stay current on the most up-to-date aviation coatings products and application methods available.

Designed for both MRO and OEM instruction, the hands-on and classroom training includes applying new chrome hazard free primers and composite surfacer systems, to spraying the latest in technology-driven high-quality topcoats and clearcoats. The 2016 Aerospace Coatings Training Program schedule includes a series of two-day classes on:

• February 16-17
• April 19-20
• July 19-20
• September 20-21
• November 8-9

All classes will be held on-site at the Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings Andover (Wichita) Kan. training facility.

This year’s training will focus on the traditional single-stage technology systems, such as the Jet Glo and Jet Glo Express coatings, as well as the latest basecoat/clearcoat exterior aerospace paint system, SKYscapes, that the company says delivers fast processing time, excellent color and gloss retention, and easy maintenance.

Training and mastering the SKYscapes paint system will allow aviation maintenance repair facilities and their paint shops to augment production schedules and turn around more paint jobs.

Also covered in the 2016 training sessions, is a section on Sherwin-Williams JetFlex, JetFlex WR and new JetFlex ELITE aircraft cabin coatings.

“New technicians can become better acquainted with our products and the best aerospace coatings application techniques, while seasoned professionals can take time to refine their skills in an actual shop setting,” says Julie Voisin, Sherwin-Williams Global product manager for Aerospace Coatings. “Our two-day training programs are designed for all levels of paint shop personnel. Our goal is to have every participant leave with inspiration and ideas to help them create the best paint jobs possible back at their own shops, on every plane, every time.”

All training sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. A per-person registration fee of $349 includes classroom and hands-on training with skilled industry professionals, training book and related materials, all necessary safety equipment, catered lunch each day, and training certificate. The training center is equipped with many types of spray equipment, including electrostatic guns. Attendees may bring their own spray equipment if they prefer.

For information on the 2016 aerospace coatings training program go to http://www.swaerospace.com/about-us/training-services/ or visit www.swaerospace.com. For other Sherwin-Williams inquiries, call 1-888-888-5593.

The South hangar steel on a new maintenance and repair hangar (MRO) for global aircraft service leader AAR Corporation at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport is completed. The 200,000 square-foot maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility is expected to operate 24 hours a day. The facility will expand the airport’s current infrastructure to allow for scheduled and unscheduled service, modification, overhaul, and all other support services for military and commercial aircraft. The hangar will be located in the mid-field area of the airport and is slated to be completed in mid-2016.

AAR chose Rockford as the site of its new facility for several reasons, including its central location, cost effectiveness, specially trained workforce, and regional supply chain and warehouse and distribution network. The Rockford region is a prominent hub of aerospace activity and aviation manufacturing in the country, boasting more than 250 industry specific companies. Rockford is home to a critical mass of tier-one aerospace suppliers including Boeing, Woodward, UTC Aerospace Systems, and GE Aviation. The region’s rate of manufacturing employment is twice the national average, with more than 80 percent of Illinois’ aerospace workforce located in the Rockford area.

“RFD is thrilled with the progress on the AAR facility and looking forward to the expanded services this will bring to the airport, said Ken Ryan, Business Development Director at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. “These mammoth hangars are changing the landscape of not only the airport ground, but the region as well.”

Rock Valley College Aviation Maintenance Technology Program has also just completed a 40,000 square-foot new training facility across the road from the AAR buildings. These classrooms are filled with students ready to learn and work at the MRO facility upon completion.

AAR South hangar steel framing complete with work to start on North immediately.

RFD is served by three airlines: Allegiant, Apple Vacations and Elite. RFD serves nine non-stop destinations including Cancun, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Denver/Ft. Collins, Orlando, Phoenix, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana and Tampa Bay.

IFS has brought to market an integrated enterprise asset management (EAM) and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) solution for the civil aviation industry. The Engine MRO solution enables aircraft operators to combine strategy management, intelligent business operations and effective MRO process functionality in one solution—to provide a 360-degree view of operational processes and maximize MRO efficiency.

The new solution has been designed based on aviation industry best practices and developed in collaboration with a number of world-leading airlines. The modular solution also provides aviation operators with an agile, flexible and future-proofed investment to deliver efficient engine MRO today and in the future.

The Engine MRO solution consists of three key elements that combine to allow operators to map, monitor, manage, and execute all aspects of their MRO, from hangar entry to exit.

The IFS Enterprise Operational Intelligence module enables users to graphically map the value chain, providing end-to-end visibility and controls across personal areas of responsibility, ensuring focus is kept on what is strategically important. This is supported by advanced intelligent business operations capability, which allows operators to analyze key performance indicators, using predictive analytics to show the full impact of processes on overall engine MRO business performance and the effect a decision has on operations in real time.

IFS Applications delivers enterprise breadth with proven Enterprise Asset Management capabilities to support the civil aviation industry. Complementing the solution’s robust asset management functionality is the user-configurable, role-specific interface, IFS Lobby, which lets operators define role- and process- specific portals for each individual user.

The Engine MRO solution from IFS combines these three elements to enable civil aviation operators to optimize scarce resources, minimize aircraft turnaround times, increase end-to-end performance and maintain strict regulatory compliance.

“Growth in aircraft numbers, an increased number of available routes and a mixture of new and retiring generations of aircraft are putting a huge strain on civil aviation MRO efficiency,” Graham Grose, Aerospace & Defence Industry director at IFS said. “Our Engine MRO solution has been developed with customers in the civil aviation industry to address today and tomorrow’s engine MRO requirements. It provides a 360-degree, enterprise-wide view of maintenance operations. Operators can ensure quicker and more efficient maintenance, so that aircraft are in the air for as long as possible, maximizing profits and minimizing aircraft down-time.

Sandel Avionics, Inc. has introduced Sandel Avilon, a retrofit flight deck serving King Air owners. Sandel says Avilon is intended to redefine how modern cockpit avionics are designed, built, sold, and installed. Avilon offers commercial, corporate fleet, and owner-operated King Airs a highly advanced solution at a guaranteed fly-away price of $175,000.

The company says the suite is designed from the ground up to enhance safety, affordability, and installation efficiency, Avilon arrives assembled from the factory as an integrated panel replacement.“From the company’s inception Sandel has a history of introducing groundbreaking technologies that defy industry conventions,” said Gerry Block, President and CEO of Sandel Avionics. “Avilon continues that tradition by filling the need for an advanced turboprop flight deck retrofit solution that makes sense.”

Almost a decade ago, the Sandel says its team realized the enormous navigation possibilities inherent in what was later called NextGen. Beyond ADS-B and its free traffic and weather, the NextGen system provides Performance Based Navigation (PBN) capabilities that allow properly equipped aircraft to fly more closely spaced, with special ATC routing through even the most congested areas. Sandel has integrated PBN capabilities into the architecture of Avilon to increase mission efficiencies as this new ATC system is rolled out.

Avilon includes all the components of a NextGen flight deck, including radios, Flight Management Computer (FMC), sophisticated audio control, ADS-B capable Mode S transponder, and high performance flight director / autopilot. Information is displayed to the pilot in a succinct, clean, uncluttered easy-to-consume format, and highlights the data that is most relevant to the current phase of flight.

Sandel says safety is a primary emphasis.The patent-pending Avilon Path Guidance Panel, which integrates tactical aircraft control with the FMC, provides a continuous displayed path, making single-pilot operations in particular safer and less stressful.

Because Avilon is delivered assembled, it eliminates the complex and time consuming task of building custom wire harnesses, racks and assemblies. Virtually all legacy avionics and associated wiring are completely removed from the aircraft, allowing installation centers a clean replacement of the old panel.

Simplification allows installations to be scheduled in a fraction of the expected time, making Avilon the most efficient, affordable and capable retrofit flight deck ever conceived.

Sandel says Avilon for the 200 series King Air line will begin shipping in June 2016. Available through select certified dealers, the system will sell for a guaranteed fly-away price of $175,000. Details about Avilon can be found at www.sandelavilon.com.

Wheels Up, a membership-based private aviation company, and Gogo, a broadband connectivity solutions and wireless in-flight entertainment provider to the aviation industry, announced the launch of Gogo’s Text & Talk service on select Wheels Up aircraft, with fleet-wide installation by the end of 2015.

Wheels Up members will have complimentary access to in-flight texting and calling capabilities in addition to existing Wi-Fi and entertainment options. The service works via a smartphone app and Wi-Fi connection, and is easy to use because it mimics the operation and native features of the passenger’s device, including Caller ID, contact lists and call histories. It uses the passenger’s own mobile number, allowing for truly seamless operation.

“We are proud to be the first private aviation company to offer Gogo’s Text & Talk service fleet-wide,” said Kenny Dichter, Wheels Up founder and CEO. “The cutting-edge technology makes sense for Wheels Up members who want to stay connected when they are flying,”

Dichter added that call quality is as clear as on-ground cellular communications, and represents a vast improvement over the preceding satellite phone technology. With no interruptions in members’ ability to text and talk in flight, this new feature surpasses Wi-Fi alone.

“We are very pleased to join forces with Wheels Up and their impressive membership to offer our newest technology and support the Company’s mission to create a world-class standard of service,” said John Wade, Gogo Business Aviation’s executive vice president and general manager.

Duncan Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace have joined forces to offer an ADS-B solution for Citation 560/560XL and the Hawker 800A/800XP aircraft equipped with Honeywell’s Primus radio system.

“We have talked a lot with operators of these aircraft,” says Gary Harpster, an avionics representative with Duncan Aviation. “Many of them are interested in meeting the ADS-B mandate but keeping their aircraft in an industry-standard configuration. With the launch customers for these two Supplemental Type Certificates signed and scheduled, Duncan Aviation’s upcoming STCs will allow operators to meet the deadline with time to spare.”

The STCs will be available early in the first quarter of 2016. In addition, Harpster adds, customers with the Honeywell Avionics Protection Plan (HAPP) want to make sure that the plan will continue to include the components utilized in this ADS-B solution. It does. “In fact, Honeywell is offering a 50 percent reduction in the first year for new HAPP customers and 25 percent off for years two and three,” he continues. In order to take advantage of this savings, customers would install a standalone GPS Receiver and upgrade their existing Primus Radios and RM-855 RMUs.

Honeywell announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire privately-held Satcom1. Honeywell says the acquisition positions the company to offer operators a seamless experience with an all-in-one connectivity solution spanning routing software, airtime, hardware equipment, avionics, flight support services and applications. Revenues for 2015 are expected to be approximately $25 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2015.

Satcom1 is a provider of routing software that optimizes the in-flight connectivity experience and an existing distribution partner for Honeywell’s JetWave terminals and Inmarsat’s GX Aviation program. The company provides in-flight airtime, satellite communications services and software for private business aircraft, and government and head of state aircraft and helicopters. Satcom1’s high-speed solutions provide real-time, reliable Internet and Wi-Fi cockpit communications that help pilots fly more safely and efficiently, and keep passengers connected in the air. Satcom1 also provides consulting services and develops specialized software and networks designed for mission-specific communication needs, such as in combat situations.

“Demand for in-flight Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity is rapidly growing and Satcom1 will strengthen Honeywell’s position as a complete provider and integrator of satellite communications equipment, software applications and global airtime services,” said Tim Mahoney, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace. “Honeywell is already uniquely placed across the entire value chain of a thriving $8 billion in-flight connectivity segment, making the acquisition of Satcom1 an excellent fit with our business. The addition of Satcom1 significantly bolsters our connectivity portfolio and enhances our growing software engineering expertise. Our customers will benefit from our ability to now offer a complete suite of connectivity solutions, with a much greater global reach.”

Honeywell says the Satcom1 addition boosts already their already large Aerospace Services business, which provides flight support services and applications for pilots, operators, jet owners and airlines that span flight planning, weather information, fuel savings, maintenance service plans, health check ups and more. In addition, integrating Satcom1 software with existing Honeywell hardware technologies to design customized next-generation communication and network systems will deliver a stronger connectivity experience to Honeywell customers.

“Strengthening Honeywell’s connectivity offerings with the addition of Satcom1 provides existing and future customers access to a full suite of connectivity offerings throughout their aircraft. Together, we will have a worldwide sales and support presence, facilitating customer interactions and improving the ability to provide customers a greater variety of voice and data solutions to meet their growing demand,” said Søren Elmann Ingerslev, chairman of Satcom1.

Satcom1 is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company also operates a research and design and support center at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, and sales and consultancy offices in Dubai, United Emirates and San Antonio, Texas.

Universal Avionics unveiled the UniLink Desktop Training Software for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) environment familiarization during the NBAA2015 – Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition.

The new software, allowing operators to walk through a series of scenarios simulating two-way messaging using FANS technology, was demonstrated in the Universal Avionics Booth N5733 during the show.

A drop-down menu in the software’s Tutorial Control Panel provides nine different training scenarios:

• ATC Log On: The basics of logging on to Air Traffic Control (ATC).
• Oceanic Clearance: Requesting and receiving an oceanic clearance from CYQX.
• North Atlantic Crossing: Normal North Atlantic crossing from KFFL to EGGW.
• North Pacific Crossing: North Pacific crossing from KOAK to RJTT with reroutes.
• SatCom Loss: Loss of SatCom function enroute from KVNY to PHTO.
• Emergency Operations: Declaring an emergency enroute from PHOG to KTUS.
• Free Flight: Allows undirected exploration of UniLink FANS messaging.

Allowing for operator preference, the UniLink Trainer simulates both the UniLink CMU, and a four-inch or five-inch Flight Management System (FMS) Control Display Unit (CDU) or Multi-functional CDU (MCDU).

“This tool provides a great way for an operator to familiarize themselves with the operational aspects of FANS using Universal Avionics equipment, and without having to leave the comforts of their own home,” said Carey Miller, Universal Avionics manager of Business Development. “The UniLink Trainer can also be used for required ‘operational use training’ as described in the FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 120-70C as a means to receive operational approval when part of an FAA-approved course,” he added.