Category: PRs

Esterline Control & Communication Systems is launching its utility control system (UCS) touchscreen display technology, part of its Korry line of cockpit controls and displays and the first touchscreen control solution for overhead panels in civilian aviation. It replaces a number of separate display and switching components while increasing flexibility and reliability and can be adapted to

individual aircraft requirements.What is now the Korry UCS technology was originally developed by Esterline in a precursor application as a touchscreen display for the overhead panel of the Gulfstream G500 and G600 long-range business jets. Esterline is a contractor to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for the G500/G600 flight deck. “It’s an industry milestone for Esterline to develop touchscreen display technology specifically for overhead panels in civilian aviation,” said Kevin Moschetti, president of Esterline Control & Communication Systems. “After pioneering this application for the business jet market, we are now making the technology available in a format easily adapted to a wider range of aircraft.”

This past week at NBAA, SKYTRAC Systems unveiled SKYTRAC 2 – a group of fleet performance trending, quality assurance and real-time connectivity solutions.

SKYTRAC says it has been a leader in the real-time flight following software and hardware FOR 30 years and in 2015 SKYTRAC has grown to become aviation’s single source for full-service data-driven aviation business solutions.

“SKYTRAC 2 is part of a new brand identity that reflects our evolution over the past three decades,” says SKYTRAC CEO Stephen Sorocky. “The aviation industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated and clients are looking for more than simple GPS tracking. With our extensive experience in advanced data acquisition and analysis, we’re in a unique position to answer a growing need for meaningful, actionable data management tools. SKYTRAC 2 represents the full range of business analysis tools, flight data monitoring and intelligent real-time alerting solutions that our customers lean on for improved operational efficiency and profit.”

Astronics AeroSat Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astronics Corporation, and Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), have formed a strategic partnership to bring high-speed connectivity services and global live television programming to the Business & VVIP aviation market.

This partnership combines Astronics’ tail-mounted SATCOM solutions with Panasonic’s industry-leading global communications services to offer high-speed, dedicated broadband data internet services; four channels of global television services, and regional DBS-TV programming, all from a single antenna.

“For years, we have delivered superior high-speed communications services for commercial aircraft, and today, we are thrilled to offer true global broadband to the growing and demanding business and VVIP aviation market,” David Bruner, vice president of Panasonic’s Global Communications Services said. “With Panasonic and Astronics AeroSat working together, we will provide dedicated bandwidth, higher speeds, unmatched television content and far superior system performance than any other solution offered today.”

Dennis Ferguson, president for Astronics AeroSat added, “Since 1997, AeroSat has designed and delivered the industry’s highest performing and most efficient connectivity solutions for business & VVIP aircraft. Working with Panasonic, we can now deliver a complete end-to-end package with an attractive upgrade path for existing data-only and TV-only aircraft operators that delivers broadband data internet and TV in a single antenna system.”

Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) announced that Chicago-based private equity firm ParkerGale Capital has acquired the company and partnered with Charles Picasso, who has been named as the new CEO. Picasso says he will lead the company into a new era of growth with an expanded strategic vision that will leverage the company’s unique market position as the hub connecting mission critical information across the maintenance ecosystem.

The new ownership believes there are “tremendous untapped opportunities for the company to unlock value.” The new ownership says it will inject additional investment to build on ATP’s traditional core competencies of aggregating, organizing, and delivering content. ATP says its new vision will broaden the company’s focus from content management to become a services-oriented company that will enable customers to seamlessly manage all of their end-to-end maintenance processes—from compliance tracking to inventory management to maintenance forecasting—from a unified software as a service (SaaS) solution.

ATP will leverage the only single-source cloud-based SaaS platform designed specifically for maintenance providers—offering exceptional control, flexibility, and affordability—to create an integrated “smart content” suite of services. The SaaS solution is designed to optimize workflows and information management in order to drive dramatic improvements in productivity, efficiency, aircraft utilizations and value, while also preventing costly regulatory lapses.

The company also boasts a number of other assets it says will propel its growth, including the a comprehensive library of up-to-date maintenance, operating, and regulatory content, combined with a massive installed customer base—with more than 23,000 registered users across 96.

Picasso brings decades of experience successfully growing companies focused on delivering mission critical information and services—ranging from enterprise software to business and IT services. As chairman of the board of Narus, Inc.—a provider of real-time network traffic and analytics software—he led a strategic realignment that resulted in the company being acquired by Boeing Network and Space Systems as a subsidiary. In 2005, he successfully led the initial public offering of IHS, Inc., as the company’s president and CEO.

“I’m looking forward to working with our partners and clients, who can expect to receive the same level of service excellence from ATP, as well as look forward to exciting new developments on the horizon,” said Picasso. “It’s an honor to take the helm of an organization with such an esteemed history in the industry and lead ATP into a new era of growth.”

Soon after taking the helm, Picasso was also named as a board member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), an international trade association representing more than 90 of the world’s leading aviation manufacturers and providers of related components and services. With enduring relationships with more than 200 leading manufacturers, ATP plays a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration and information exchanges among manufacturers, owners/operators, maintenance providers, regulators, and aviation schools.

“We’ve long recognized ATP for the important role they play as a partner to General Aviation Manufacturers in support of compliance and safety for the industry,” said Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA. “GAMA is proud to name Charles as a new board member and we are looking forward to his perspectives and contributions in helping drive our industry forward.”

“As a long time client of ATP, it’s clear to us that the company is unmatched as the leader in general aviation information services, particularly when you’re talking about providing information on maintenance and related areas such as technical publications and compliance tracking,” said Tim Grigsby, director of maintenance, Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics. “We’re looking forward to seeing their new developments as they look to broaden their focus across the maintenance lifecycle to help us manage our business even more effectively and efficiently.”

True Blue Power announced the company’s custom-integrated, lithium-ion battery modules, developed in partnership with the electromechanical product development specialists at Regan Designs, will power Burt Rutan’s most recent project, the SkiGull.

The SkiGull is a next-generation seaplane developed by Rutan and Regan Designs. The aircraft is designed to land on a variety of surfaces (water, snow, and unimproved land), allowing access to remote areas like never before. True Blue Power lithium-ion battery modules power the aircraft’s unique auxiliary, electrical propulsion system, which is utilized for docking/beaching in winds,
engine-out safety and takeoff thrust boost.

“SkiGull’s incredibly sophisticated and efficient design dictates the need for a reliable, safe, lightweight, and compact power source. We are pleased to deliver just that,” said Rick Slater, True Blue Power division manager.

True Blue Power lithium-ion solutions utilize a proprietary Nanophosphate lithium-ion cell chemistry the company says offers superior energy density, delivering three times the energy per kilogram when compared to lead-acid or nickel-cadmium (NiCad) alternatives. True Blue Power batteries offer 40-45 percent weight savings and are engineered to provide an overall lower cost of ownership with 50-90 percent less scheduled maintenance cost. This is the result of increased durability, two-year maintenance intervals, efficient engine starts and gaining 2-3 times longer useful battery life.

“Burt is one of aviation’s most respected innovators. We salute his contributions and have a long history that includes Voyager, StarShip, GlobalFlyer, VariEze, BiPod, SpaceShipOne and SpaceShipTwo. SkiGull is yet another great endeavor that we are proud to be a part of,” says Todd Winter, True Blue Power president and CEO.

Gulfstream announced it will further strengthen its support of operators in North America with a major expansion of its Field and Airborne Support Teams(FAST). The company will deploy three new custom- equipped vehicles to the Seattle, Chicago and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas by year’s end. With these additions, Gulfstream will have eight rapid-response vehicles available to complement the maintenance provided by the company’s eight service centers across the U.S.

“We are bringing our support and talent to our operators,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “Offering plane-side service to our largest customer bases saves our operators time and money. We can get their aircraft back in service faster and save them the fuel and crew relocation costs incurred by traveling to a service center.”

Each custom-designed FAST vehicle is typically manned by a team of avionics and mechanical technicians. These teams are particularly effective in supporting operators in aircraft-on-ground situations because of their quick response time and ability to transport the required equipment. FAST vehicle support is also ideal for customers who need line-service repairs, minor inspections, minor cabin interior repairs and compliance with service bulletins.

The three new FAST vehicles are expected to be based at King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field, in Seattle; Illinois’ Waukegan National Airport near Chicago; and Washington Dulles International Airport just outside of Washington, D.C., in Northern Virginia.

“The Seattle-based truck will also serve the Portland, Oregon, area, while the other trucks will assist customers in nearby cities such as Indianapolis and Baltimore,” said Darrell Frey, director, FAST, Gulfstream. “Overall, these mobile resources will give us quicker access to the home base of more than 100 operators and hundreds of others in transit.”

Gulfstream FAST combines a U.S.-based airborne unit with on-the-road vehicles. Gulfstream’s other U.S.-based FAST vehicles are located in and around Savannah, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Houston.

Seven of the FAST vehicles are medium-duty box trucks equipped with technical data access, a consolidated toolbox, replacement parts, a generator, a ground power unit, a lift, a hydraulic mule, an air compressor and jacks. The Savannah FAST vehicle is a 74-foot/22.6-meter tractor- trailer manned by several technicians and stocked with enough tooling and parts to support multiple operators simultaneously at events such as large business board meetings, the Super Bowl and Daytona 500.

The airborne FAST unit comprises two G150 aircraft and more than 40 technicians and pilots that provide parts and personnel to customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

GDC Technics says their strategic investments, expanding capabilities and a range of technology breakthroughs will help cement their industry leadership in modifying next-generation airplanes, and will continue to drive success into 2016 as the company expands its focus on a program they have dubbed “Engineering the Impossible.”

The company outlined their innovations to include:

• 20 percent lighter cabins. New fabrication techniques and advanced-technology materials resulting in cabins that are 20 percent lighter than industry norms.
• The latest in connectivity technology for communication and entertainment integrated onto carbon-fiber and conventional aircraft platforms.
• 3D Printing. Lightweight, precision-crafted cabin interior and IFE components are advancing this technology from rapid prototyping to finished goods.
• 3D Engineering. Combining the latest 3D engineering software applications with GDC’s Synchronicity operations management tool is reducing turn times for faster returns to service.
• Virtual Reality Design Interface Software. A full-scale, 3D interactive virtual reality design interface that is used to provide an immersive experience for customers, designers and even installation crews, at every stage of the luxury aircraft modification. GCD says the new software bridges the gap between aircraft owners, designers, engineers and production process.

“From our cutting edge 3D technology to our new advances in interior weight reduction, GDC’s demonstrated its commitment to innovation and customer care and service,” Mohammad Alzeer, GDC general partner, said. “These innovations and new technologies are as bold and forward-thinking as the next-generation for which they are designed to be incorporated in.”

Red Aviation announced they have established a sales office with warehouse space at Addison Airport (KADS) in the North Dallas area.

“As we continue to grow the business and increase our services, we want to expand into the Dallas/Fort Worth area because of all its options for shipping and logistics as well as the growing number of business jets based here,” stated Steve Davis, president and CEO for Red Aviation. “In addition, we can leverage our DFW Instrument’s location at Addison Airport and work together to support our customers.”

Red Aviation says it plans to locate an inventory of the most commonly procured Challenger and Global AOG parts at the new North Dallas location. As specialists in the Bombardier Global, Challenger, and Learjet series of

Red Aviation also announced the acquisition of DFW Instrument in Addison, Texas, a leader in flight critical instrument and equipment repairs for 25 years. DFW Instrument’s expertise consists of a wide range of Air Data Equipment, Engine Instruments, Flight Directors, Horizon Situation Indicators, Gyroscopes and repair of other products. In addition, their Avionics Line Service support team manages aircraft maintenance requirements for General Aviation, Corporate Operators, and Government/Military Agencies.

Gama Aviation, a subsidiary of Gama Aviation Plc, announced that it has received Federal Aviation Administration approval for its repair station based at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas.

The certification, under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 145, covers work on airframes, engines, instruments and radio equipment, enabling Gama Aviation to provide its clients with a full range of support services from its Las Vegas base.

“We are delighted to announce that our Las Vegas base has received FAR 145 certification. As a global operator it is vital that we can provide our clients with a full suite of services in all the markets we serve,” Dennis Richey, executive vice president, engineering, of Gama Aviation, commented. “Clients want to be confident that wherever their aircraft may be, they will receive a consistently high level of service and this certification underlines the standards we offer here at McCarran.”

Gama Aviation has identified a strong business aviation market in the region centered on Las Vegas. Analysis of industry data reveals that Nevada and its neighboring states of California, Arizona and Utah together have a fleet of 2,927 private jets, accounting for more than 12 percent of the total US fleet. Of these aircraft, 335 were delivered between 2010 and 2014.

The Hungarian airline Wizz Air has contracted Lufthansa Technik

Budapest (LTB) to provide line maintenance services for its fleet at

the Budapest and Debrecen locations. The agreement starts

in February 2016 and includes Wizz Air’s eight Airbus A320 aircraft

stationed in Budapest.

Lufthansa Technik Budapest will carry out the maintenance at the two

Hungarian stations and also take on full responsibility for managing

the Wizz Air hangar at the airport in the Hungarian capital. The

airline plans to expand its fleet to be maintained in Hungary to 20

A320 aircraft by the year 2024.

“Line maintenance services are a key part of Wizz Air operations and LTB has played a large role in making sure we maintain our stellar operational record,” said József Váradi, Wizz Air CEO during the ceremonial signing of the contract on November 18 at Lufthansa Technik Budapest. “They perform consistently at the level that meets our high standards for reliability and quality and they continue to manage the increased workscope resulting from our growth while maintaining a competitive price. That allows us to keep our fares low and attractive to our customers in the region.”

Dietmar Focke, CEO of Lufthansa Technik Budapest, said: “We feel really honored to expand our services in Budapest in line with Wizz Air’s growth rate. We started to work together with Wizz Air more than ten years ago from the very moment of its foundation when the airline operated only two aircraft. We hope to

celebrate with Wizz Air the takeover of its 100th aircraft during the period of the just signed contract.”