Inside MRO News Briefs And Contracts...

Collins Expands AM Capabilities

Collins Aerospace has opened an additive manufacturing facility across the street from its MRO facility in Monroe, North Carolina, that will focus on manufacturing aluminum and titanium parts. The $15 million investment comes on top of $30 million in investments in the MRO site since 2018.

Collins already has “a very large network of additive [manufacturing] machines that do nothing but tooling” across its facilities, says Sam Mehta, Collins Aerospace president of advanced structures. The new facility is focused on “production readiness design,” or parts that can fly on aircraft.

While Collins did not disclose specific part numbers that it intends to manufacture there, it is likely they will be those with complex geometries that traditionally would be made from multiple pieces bolted together. Additively manufacturing those parts would reduce material waste and strengthen them.

Brazil Joins MRO Harmonization Effort

Brazil has joined Latin America’s Multinational Agreement for Aircraft Maintenance Organizations (AMO), clearing the country’s approved repair stations to be certified by the other 11 member states with minimal additional regulatory red tape.

The move means Brazilian AMOs can serve operators from the 11 member states without certifications from individual regulators, based on a single audit carried out by the Regional Safety Oversight Cooperation System (Srvsop).

Established in 2002, the Srvsop focuses on regulatory harmonization, producing related guidance and other documentation, training and targeted technical assistance within member states. The harmonization effort has aligned 90% of maintenance safety and oversight regulations, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency said. Future tasks include focusing on air navigation services and the multinational certification of aircraft and components, it added.

The 12 Srvsop member states are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Satair To Launch Ground Tools Capability

Satair has announced a new one-stop shop offering that will cover ground support equipment (GSE) and tools for all aircraft platforms.

The company, which operates as part of the Airbus Services division, says the offering encompasses 70,000 part numbers from 1,600 OEMs worldwide and will include airlines, MROs, lessors and airports. The portfolio ranges from standard tools and GSE to engine-change equipment and test equipment.

Adding further capacity to its network, the new offering will operate from a 538,000-ft.² facility in Hamburg, scheduled to open in the first half of 2023.

Southwest’s Cabin Connectivity Upgrades

Southwest Airlines’ recently announced cabin upgrade initiative is progressing with a new cabin connectivity deal. The airline has signed an agreement with Astronics Corp. for its Empower Passenger In-Seat Power System, which it plans to install on its 475 Boeing 737-7 and -8 aircraft.

The Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification group will provide Southwest with the installation design, supplemental type certificate and installation kits for the seat retrofits in the fourth quarter, for installation beginning in early 2023. The systems will also be installed in 737 aircraft the airline has on order. Astronics will provide deliveries to Boeing for line fit installations in 2023.

Southwest’s cabin upgrade initiative will include enhancing Wi-Fi with Anuvu’s latest-generation hardware and enlarging overhead bin space.

Contracts

Aeronautical Engineers Inc. has won a Merx Aviation contract to convert a Boeing 737-800 formerly operated by TUI from passenger to freighter format. The touch labor is being performed by KF Aerospace for redelivery in August.

AFI KLM E&M has secured a contract extension from Philippine Airlines for GE90 and CFM56 flight-hour support.

Ametek Singapore PTE was licensed by Honeywell Aerospace to provide OEM-authorized repairs on its engine components for CF6-80s, PW2000s, PW4000s, V2500s, Trent 700s, Trent 800s and Trent 900s.

Israel Aerospace Industries was selected by Cargojet to convert four Boeing 777-300ERs to freighters. The deal includes options for additional conversions.

Lufthansa Technik has won an exclusive six-year contract from South Korea’s Aero K Airlines for CFM56-5B maintenance.

Mach Technik Aircraft Maintenance was selected by India’s Air Works to provide international line maintenance services for its customers at Dubai International Airport.

NIAR WERX was selected by Erickson Precision Ventures to perform maintenance and freighter conversions on various Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It plans to begin converting two new aircraft for Precision Aircraft Solutions in the third quarter of 2022.

ST Engineering has won a five-year Safran Aircraft Engines contract to provide engine maintenance offload for CFM56-5Bs/-7Bs to meet the forecasted rise in engine MRO activities.

TAT Piedmont has secured a five-year, $50 million contract from an unidentified international airline to provide APU maintenance.