FAA is weighing costs, data requirements, training needs and a number of other factors as the agency prepares for a comprehensive rulemaking that would require all aviation certificate holders, product manufacturers and applicants and employers to develop a Safety Management System (SMS).
The leadership of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unveiled an expansive cost-cutting program aimed at saving around $8 billion (30 billion sheckel) in military spending. The IDF has now turned to international consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to help figure out where to save money. It is the first time the IDF has opted for this kind of assistance.
AAR Corp. signed a letter of intent with SuperJet International to become a service center for the Sukhoi Superjet 100. As part of SuperJet’s MRO network, AAR will provide heavy airframe maintenance, modifications, interior and exterior refurbishments, unscheduled maintenance services, line and overnight maintenance, as well as field teams for off-site support.
Cooling Window Coatings Solar-reflective coatings that don’t change the color of plastic or glass aircraft windows are being developed by PPG Industries, which says the technology reduces the load on aircraft air conditioning systems for lower operating costs. PPG says its coatings will offer an advantage over competitive products because they are not visibility reflective and don’t change the aircraft’s appearance.
Goodrich Corp. and Xi’an Aircraft International Corp. (XIAC) agreed to form two new joint venture companies in Xi’an, China, focused on landing gear and engine nacelle components. The new joint ventures, both owned 50:50 by Goodrich and XIAC, are slated to compete for work on the in-development COMAC C919 single-aisle commercial aircraft as well as manufacuring various landing gear and nacelle components and subassemblies for other aircraft. Goodrich currently has three facilities in Hong Kong, Tianjin, and Xiamen, China.
LED Pen Lights Streamlight’s FiberWrap fiberglass polymer pen lights come in four high-intensity LED colors. The red, green, white and blue PolyStylus pen lights feature a 5-mm LED designed for shock-resistance and a 100-hour lifetime. Customers can buy the pen lights separately or pick a PolyStylus combo pack that comes with a white LED module and interchangeable red, green and blue modules.
Elbit Systems subsidiary, Elbit Systems Electro-optics El-Op Ltd. will supply the Israeli Ministry of Transportation with $76 million worth of its commercial multi-spectral infrared countermeasure (C-MUSIC) system, for installation aboard a variety of aircraft owned by Israeli commercial airlines. The system will installed aboard a variety of commercial aircraft owned by Israeli commercial airlines. C-MUSIC is based on Elbit’s MUSIC system for military aircraft, which disrupts missiles fired at aircraft and causes them to veer off course by transmitting a laser beam.
Flightstar Aircraft Services inked a contract with Precision Conversions to convert a Boeing 757-200 from passenger to freighter configuration for a Chinese carrier, to be completed by November. Engines
Interaction is key to effective human factors education, according to some in the technical training business. While computer-based training, or CBT, can reduce costs and make coursework accessible to larger groups of employees, online courses cannot quite replicate the impact of a classroom course with an experienced instructor, says Wolfgang Hobelsberger, training manager for Nayak Aviation Service.
Mxi Technologies added a strategic long range planning feature to its Maintenix software. This feature is designed to allow organizations to develop long-term maintenance plans optimized for aircraft availability, check yield and hangar and resource utilization. Contracts Commercial
BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul appointed Mark Taylor general manager of ERO Component Repair and Accessories. Taylor has worked for ERO’s H+S Aviation in Portsmouth, England for more than 19 years, including six years overseeing H+S Aviations component repair program. In addition to Portsmouth’s repair program, all U.S.-based component repair activity of Dallas Airmotive and Premier Turbines will report through Taylor.
Ametek Aerospace & Defense selected Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd T/A Australian Avionics in Cairns, Australia, as an authorized service center for its Measurement & Power Systems products.
Swiss International Airlines subsidiary Edelweiss Air extended its contract with SR Technics for Airbus A320 maintenance for an additional three years and three months. The renewal agreement, which extends to March 2012, includes line, light and base maintenance; maintenance operations control; engineering services; component support; engine maintenance and logistics management.OM
Interfast plans to expand its footprint outside North America with the acquisition of Burwood Fastener Products in Chobham, Surrey, U.K. The Canadian fastener manufacturer announced a letter of intent to acquire its competitor on Aug. 4. The strategic move would give Interfast a “firm base of operations in Europe” at its ninth facility (and first outside North America), which will operate as Interfast Europe Ltd., the company says. Facilities
