Category: PRs

Airbus Helicopters announced the latest of its HCare services developments with the release of two new families of digital Connected Services, HCare Fleet and HCare Flight.

HCare Fleet offers digital services to support and ease maintenance operations through two new solutions. Fleet Keeper is the only Airbus Helicopters-approved solution providing a digital cloud-based alternative to the traditional paper technical log book. It is compatible with all Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft as well as those of other manufacturers.

Envision is a comprehensive and modular Maintenance Information System (MIS) for customers seeking to efficiently support their maintenance, logistics and airworthiness management in one, complete system. Developed by Rusada, Envision is particularly adapted to customers operating large, often mixed fleets and is available via a client server or in a cloud base.

HCare Flight delivers an easier and safer way to manage flight preparation, from performance computation iPad apps up to a fully integrated Electronic Flight Bag (EFB).

H175 Weight&Balance allows customers to ensure that safe operational limits are respected by computing H175 weight and balance, taking into account the specific mission profile, payload and optional equipment. It will become available for the H225 and H130 by late 2015 and for additional Airbus Helicopters aircraft in 2016.
H175 Performance computes all aspects of Flight Manual performance figures in one, single mobile application. It will also be extended to other Airbus Helicopters aircraft in 2016.

Helitab is an all-in-one EFB built into a Panasonic Toughpad tablet to be ready for the most demanding missions and environments. It integrates performance calculations with additional flight planning solutions, including map displays, weather, airport information and NOTAM (notice to airmen) details. Helitab also offers a direct and seamless connection to Airbus Helicopters flight management systems.

“We are offering customers smart, powerful tools that allow them to collect, process and exchange data to efficiently manage their operations,” said Matthieu Louvot, senior vice president of Customer Service at Airbus Helicopters. “Our new services provide the benefits of digitalization in a user-friendly way. This is just one of the many improvements we are making as a company to ensure our customers have the best helicopter solutions at their disposal.”

French ACMI, regular flight and charter airline, Air Méditerranée, has chosen AJW Aviation to provide full power-by-the-hour services for seven A321 Airbus aircraft. Four of the aircraft operate out of Paris CDG, two in Middle East and one in Moldova, and together the fleet flies an extensive route network across Europe, North and West Africa, and the Middle East. In support of the multi-year agreement, AJW will also locate extensive main base kit in Dubai DXB, Chisinau (Moldova) and Paris CDG.

“Air Méditerranée has chosen to work with AJW Aviation because they meet all of our operational requirements in terms of logistics and inventory placement. This will enable the airline to have better cost control” says Frédéric Cros, Technical Director of Air Méditerranée. “AJW’s focus on transforming aviation efficiency combined with their technical reliability monitoring of spare parts will contribute effectively to the profitable running of our business.”

AJW currently supports 69% of global fleet operators with appropriate Airbus and Boeing aircraft types and this is fully underpinned by AJW Technique, the organization’s component repair and overhaul facility in Montreal that is focused on streamlining processes to minimize turn-times and further guarantee dispatch reliability.
“Location of spares inventory in Paris CDG is a big advantage for Air Méditerranée” adds Alexis Dufermont, VP Sales – Europe at AJW Aviation. “It is AJW’s policy to ring the globe with strategic hubs of commercial Airbus and Boeing spares in support of specific power-by-the-hour contracts, and to sustain the Company’s award-winning 24/7/365 AOG service and this latest contract once again underlines the outstanding value for money and excellent customer service that is embodied within a power-by-the-hour agreement.”

AJW now has a global fleet of over 1,000 aircraft under contract providing wide and flexible component coverage, expert advice and recommendations on minimizing home base stock requirements, and world-class logistics. Serving a global customer base of more than 1,000 airlines in 115 different countries, AJW is the ideal partner for airlines and MRO organizations requiring fully integrated support solutions to help achieve competitive advantage.

Aero Experts in France, the design and engineering unit of The Aero Experts Group, has announced it has been awarded the Design Organization Approval certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) after a successful 12 months audit process.

The certificate allows the company to approve minor aircraft modifications independently. It will also enable Aero Experts to speed up the STC certification process for any aircraft cabin-related modifications on small and large aeroplanes, including Satcom antenna installations, in accordance with airworthiness regulatory requirements.

This is a major milestone in the growth of the Group as it aims to provide first-rate products and services needed by aircraft operators for cabin retrofit and return-to-lease projects.

The newly acquired DOA capability is complementary to the company’s expansion, which most recently includes the establishment of operations in Sao Paolo, Brazil, as part of its continuous effort to bring value-added services to its clients around the world.

It’s been twenty years since NAASCO first introduced the “Mercury Mod” starter generator improvements applicable to the Aircraft Parts Corp. (APC, now Skurka Aerospace) 150SG series and Lucas (now Labinal Power Systems) 23032 series starter generators. Accumulated hours on these modified units are in the millions and the number modified are in the thousands.

The company says this success is due in large part to the advanced cooling properties designed by NAASCO’s engineering and testing department. This technology, coupled with our proprietary “ETR” (electro-graphitic treated resins) carbon brush, allowed NAASCO to guarantee operators 1000 hours of brush life.

They say their engineering department is still at it. Working with aircraft manufactures and operators, they have modified hundreds of 200 amp units for the Sikorsky S76, Cessna Caravans and many other aircraft with the latest “Mercury Mod Phase II”, incorporating a super hi-flow cooling fan.  More info at http://www.naasco.com.

 

Advanced surface solutions company Keronite is celebrating after securing AS9100 version C (AS9100C) certification at its Haverhill (UK) manufacturing facility.

AS9100C is the international standardized quality management system for the aerospace industry and compliance with the standard is a condition of doing business with most of the aerospace manufacturers and suppliers around the world.

“I’m delighted for everyone at Haverhill that we’ve secured AS9100C after a stringent, four-day audit,” Matt Hamblin, chief executive of Keronite, said. “The certification is a key requirement for working with aerospace manufacturers and further demonstrates our commitment to supporting this important market. At Keronite, we’re excited by the potential our unique technology offers aerospace manufacturers looking to improve mechanical and environmental performance of their components and, while we’re already working with a range of aerospace OEMs, the fact we now have this certification means they can have even more confidence in our ability to deliver and meet the exacting standards they require.”

Keronite says it now aims to secure AS9100C certification for its U. S. manufacturing facility in Greenwood Indiana later this year.

 

 

 

French aircraft maintenance software specialist ADSoftware has announced the appointment of Paul Zavattero to the position of international sales engineer.

ADSoftware says it decided to recruit one of the aviation industry’s top minds to enhance its services offering. This comes following the implementation of a strategic business development plan aimed at strengthening ADSoftware’s global market position by making AirPack the preferred aviation maintenance software of choice.

Based at the company’s new offices in Toulouse France, Paul Zavattero will spearhead ADSoftware’s worldwide organisational development efforts with a focus on pursuing new business opportunities and reinforcing existing customer relationships. He will also be responsible for providing professional training and technical support to ADSoftware customers.

With more than 10 years’ experience, Zavattero joins from IFRSKEYES, where he worked as a Maintenance Information System consultant for 4 years. There, he was responsible for project management support which encompassed guiding airlines and MROs through the implementation and optimal use of the software as well as on-site product deployment, process audits, users’ training and data analysis. Prior to this he was a reliability analyst for Thomas Cook Airlines, Manchester Airport (UK). He also has diverse aviation expertise from being a certified commercial pilot, a technical data controller, a maintenance planner, to being an Airbus maintenance courses technical writer.

Announcing Zavattero’s appointment, ADSoftware CEO, Fred Ulrich said, “Having increased our customers in the past two years from 48 to 56, it has become apparent to us that we needed to reinforce the sales and marketing department in order to accommodate anticipated future growth. I am very pleased to have a person of Paul’s calibre joining our team. Paul brings along extensive software and aviation industry expertise that will help accomplish our vision of delivering significant results and value to our clients.”

Commenting on his new role, Zavattero, said, “I am privileged to be part of a new chapter in ADSoftware’s growth and its sterling record in providing seamless support to its customers. I am really looking forward to the opportunity of contributing to this great success story.

The Conference Advisory Committee of Aviation Electronics Europe gathered in London recently to set the conference agenda and programme for the event, which will take place on 20th-21st April 2016 in Munich, Germany.

Aviation Electronics Europe is the premier platform for the international aviation electronics industry to learn, network and source new information, products and services at one unique annual event, and the conference advisory committee took delighted in reviewing nearly 100 abstracts submitted by the industry, all wishing to gain the opportunity to present to their peers.

After a day of discussions and debate, the committee have set a high quality programme that will deliver great educational and information sharing discussions, from policy and procedural issues concerning SESAR Deployment, to technical aspects in ADSB, CSN, Standardisation and Certification and Future Avionic Innovations.

The committee had a difficult job to slowly whittle the abstracts down to the final list, due not only to the number received, but also due the high quality and relevant subjects covered by the papers.

Astronics Corporation’s newest Enhanced Vision System, designated Max-Viz X1, is priced at $6,000 specifically for experimental and homebuilt aircraft, which often operate from unimproved airstrips with wildlife and other obstacles.

“The uncertified Max-Viz X1 is a lightweight, low-cost solution for the kit and homebuilt experimental aircraft operator,” said Astronics Max-Viz EVP Elliott Troutman. “The system complements synthetic vision systems (SVS) and allows pilots to see temporary obstructions, such as wildlife and construction barriers, which are not in the SVS database.”

He added, “Max-Viz X1 enhances safety for the experimental pilot community by enabling pilots to see up to ten times further than unaided human vision in visibility-obscured conditions, such as smoke, haze and light fog, day or night.”

Elbit Systems of America says their solutions allow USAF pilots and copilots to own the weather, not succumb to it. With the technological solutions giving clarity during bad weather and low light conditions, the probability of mission success increases.

Elbit is offering an array of solutions for enhancing capabilities during poor weather conditions. From digital mapping to head up displays to enhanced vision systems, their solutions provide improved situational awareness to missions that would otherwise be threatened not only by the enemy, but the weather.

If low visibility produces landing and taxiing concerns, the Elbit Systems of America Enhanced Vision System-Superior Performance (EVS-SP™) is a trusted solution of many pilots. The EVS allows flight operations in darkness, smoke, haze, rain, fog, and other weather conditions. The EVS-SP offers the latest proven technology in cooled enhanced vision systems, by providing outstanding capabilities in degraded visibility along with high resolution in a single, weight-saving unit. The aircraft equipped with the EVS-SP displayed on a HUD will experience improved safety and better situational. In addition, aircraft equipped with EVS-SP displayed on a HUD have FAA authorization to descend below 200 ft. decision height using the EVS in lieu of normal vision on any CAT I approach.

HUDs, such as the one designed for the Air Force’s C-17, offer a larger motion box and LCD/LED technology coupled with clear superimposed symbology to increase the pilot’s situational awareness. When the HUD is integrated with an EVS system, a pilot’s awareness in critical phases of flight, during reduced visibility, is enhanced. The integration of the two systems allow military aircraft to safely land, taxi and takeoff in poor weather conditions. The aircrew can then provide rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases as well as tactical airlift and airdrop operations.

For increased situational awareness outside a fixed HUD’s line of sight, pilots have the option of the JHMCS II Helmet Mounted display. The JHMCS II, based on operationally-proven technology that incorporates color symbology in both day and night modes, uses intuitive flight path symbology along with threat domes for improved situational awareness. The JHMCS II provides visor projected video in a well-balanced lightweight helmet and integrated system. An added benefit for the pilot, the improved center of gravity reduces pilot fatigue on the long-duration missions.

“The JHMCS II system features the most innovative head-tracking technologies available, giving pilots increased situational awareness no matter what direction he or she is looking,” stated Raanan Horowitz, president and CEO of Elbit Systems of America. “The intelligent vision in the cockpit, gives pilots immediate and accurate recognition of friendly, threat, and unknown targets. With this awareness, pilots flying with the JHMCS II will have a decided advantage.”

A brand new drone training school formed by a team accustomed to flying drones across Hollywood movie sets, and commercial airliners across some of the busiest airspace in the world, has opened. UAV Air is the brainchild of four senior airline pilots along with two of the country’s most widely respected drone operators, Cloud12 and UAViate.

“The commercial drone industry is very new and growing at a phenomenal rate so there is a real need to provide formal training, by experienced instructors to accepted aviation guidelines,” Will Coldwell, director and A320 pilot says. “We have set out to do just this with UAV Air and have already seen phenomenal interest in our courses, which begin this month in Berkshire.”

It has designed a series of courses built on manned aviation principles. The syllabus will equip the new breed of industry entrants eager to qualify in the rapidly expanding drone industry, the group says.

UAV Air will offer a full schedule of autumn courses with accessible three-day fast-track options, all approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The first dates will take place in Berkshire, Staffordshire and East Yorkshire throughout September and October.

Course content is structured to equip pilots with a strong technical, theoretical and practical understanding. Students are taught the theory and flight assessment standards necessary to fly drones commercially in the UK with development of flight procedures and operations manuals also included for those working towards a PFAW.

Students will be the first in the UK to benefit from an unprecedented level of experience in the emerging drone industry. Collectively, the training team has more than 40 years of flying experience, 20,000 commercial flying hours logged and 8-years first-hand experience in the civilian drone industry. This includes hundreds of sub-7kg and sub-20kg drone operations. The chief flight assessor has over 27 years of RC flying experience alone and is qualified to BMFA Club Examiner standard.

Would-be commercial drone pilots can choose from a total of four UAV Air courses, with a flight assessment and conversion course available for those already in possession of a theoretical qualification.

For drone fans serious about developing a career, UAV Air’s Ab-Initio course is a structured starting point. Students will learn how to fly the correct way, by an experienced drone operator. Emphasis is placed on adopting a best-practice methodology, starting those keen to qualify as a commercial drone pilot with evidence based training. The course brings pilots up to assessment standard, with skills and attitude training included, allowing students wishing to develop marketable skills before entering the ultra competitive drone job market.

The integrated course is for those with two hours of self-certified flying experience. It takes place over three days and covers all required components for pilots applying for their PFAW. Those completing the course can take the flight assessment at the end of the three-day period to formalize their expertise, understanding of methodology and prove flight capability.

A modular course covers the same training components as the Integrated Course, without the flight assessment. Students still lacking the self-certified two hours fly time or not yet ready to take the flight test can complete the modular elements and then return at a later date to sit the assessment.

CAA pilot license holders can take the UAV Air Abbreviated Course. This is a two-day session with an optional theoretical exam followed by the mandatory flight assessment. All flight assessments are conducted in accordance with the QRH provided by UAVAir and last no more than one hour.

“One of the things that we were keen to adopt is an open and transparent approach to the Flight Assessment,” says Ben Keene, head of Flight Assessment. “We firmly believe in de-mystifying it, allowing candidates to determine if they are ready to take the test based on their understanding of it. We developed our unique Skills Test Candidate Guide to facilitate this and offer it to all students at enrolment. We aim to create a relaxed and informed approach, so all candidates can focus on their training, get the most from the course and perform the flight assessment to the best of their abilities.”

To find out more about UAV Air or to book a course visit http://www.uav-air.com/