Maintenance - Tech Blog
AMETEK acquires pair of Miami-based MRO providers
AMETEK Inc. has acquired Aero Components International (ACI) and Avtech Avionics and Instruments (Avtech), both privately owned, U.S. FAA-certified aviation repair operations located in Miami, FL. ACI repairs and overhauls fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, power generation, and heat exchanger components and is one of the few independent aviation repair shops with fuel repair capabilities. Avtech's expertise is in the repair and maintenance of next-generation and legacy avionics and instruments. Each business operates separate facilities located near AMETEK's High Standard Aviation aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operation. ACI and Avtech join AMETEK Aerospace & Defense, which in addition to third-party MRO services, is a leader in engine and aircraft monitoring systems, power generation and distribution systems, data acquisition units, fuel and fluid measurement systems, engine and airframe sensors, cables, harness assemblies, avionics, blowers, fans, and heat transfer and cooling systems.
Dassault Falcon Aircraft Services–China launches in Shanghai
Dassault Falcon recently launched Dassault Falcon Aircraft Services–China, a dedicated program with Shanghai Hawker Pacific at Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport. The program is staffed by a team of Dassault technicians with an average experience of 10 years on Falcon business jets and specifically trained for Falcon 2000EX EASy, Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 7X models. The team brings extensive, hands-on Falcon maintenance experience to Shanghai Hawker Pacific's facilities for support of local and transient Falcon aircraft. They will also provide an opportunity to transfer significant knowledge and maintenance experience to Chinese maintenance engineers in this developing market. The Shanghai Hawker Pacific complex features a 4000-m² facility for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). It was the first third-party MRO facility in mainland China and is a joint partnership with Shanghai Airports Authority.
Spirit AeroSystems signs spare parts agreement with Pacific American
Spirit AeroSystems Inc. and Pacific American Corp. (PAC) announced the signing of a supply agreement whereby Spirit Aftermarket Customer Support (ACS) will provide thrust reverser, fuselage, and wing component spare parts for the Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd. fleet of Boeing aircraft. This multiyear contract will enable PAC to obtain predictable and competitive pricing for all parts in the Spirit catalog while ensuring availability for key parts and components. Hainan Airlines, the largest privately owned air transport company in the People's Republic of China, currently operates six Boeing 737-300, six Boeing 737-400, 87 Boeing 737-800, and three Boeing 767-300ER airplanes. It also operates Airbus A319, A320, A330, and A340 aircraft.
General Motors trials MagneGas alternative metal-working fuel
MagneGas Corp., which converts liquid-based materials into hydrogen-based fuel, removing acetylene from the process, is supplying General Motors with its MagneGas fuel. GM is trialing the fuel in maintenance and metal-working activities at its Grand Blanc Weld & Tool Center in Flint, MI. MagneGas will ship its fuel cylinders from its production facility in Michigan. GM tested MagneGas, assessing its environmental, health, and safety impacts, and found that it cut cleaner, faster, and is more cost-effective than acetylene. GM is working with MagneGas to discuss possible future applications with potential to reduce its environmental impact.
Upcoming Volvo communication system services trucks remotely
In 2013, Volvo Trucks plans to release Telematics Gateway, a new software-based system that enables service technicians to evaluate trucks while they are on the road. The system will be able to access a truck’s information, including diagnostic trouble codes and mileage, over a wireless connection. Wear and tear on brake pads, batteries, and other elements of the vehicle can be detected remotely, which means fewer unnecessary trips to the workshop. “Today when we service a truck, we estimate a planned driving condition, but then the customer may use it more and drive in more heavy conditions,” said Christian Gustavsson, head of service at Volvo Trucks. “Now we can actually read out the usage from the truck so we can service the truck when it is really necessary.” The system will issue a warning if wear reaches a critical level, alerting the service technician to contact the customer and schedule a service. This increases the truck’s uptime and helps avoid unplanned maintenance stops. An informational video is available from Volvo Trucks on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmOYiOIF7lY&list=UUkKEthtUQHmBqIYZTHyfXoA&index=0&feature=plcp.
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Illustration of how Volvo Trucks' new Telematics Gateway works.
Aircelle and Applied Composites Engineering expand services agreement
The Safran group's Aircelle business unit signed an agreement to enlarge the scope of jet engine thrust reverser and nacelle repair and services performed by Applied Composites Engineering (ACE) in the U.S., building on three years of successful cooperation. This new agreement sets the framework to expand ACE's maintenance, repair, overhaul, and services activities for Aircelle with jet engines that power regional airlines and business jets in the Americas. It follows the work performed by ACE since early 2009 on Aircelle-manufactured thrust reversers on three regional airliners, for the following platforms: Embraer's ERJ 145, powered by AE 3007 jet engines; along with the Embraer 170 and 175, which are equipped with CF34 engines. During a three-year period, ACE has processed several hundred thrust reversers at its Indianapolis, IN, facility, demonstrating the company's capabilities to deliver high-quality, efficient, and on-time work.
Dassault Falcon Aircraft Services–China to launch in Shanghai
Dassault Falcon will set up a new operation in Shanghai to help support its rapidly growing Chinese fleet. The new entity, to be known as Dassault Falcon Aircraft Services–China, will be established by the end of the second quarter of 2012 in partnership with Shanghai Hawker Pacific and will be located within the Shanghai Hawker Pacific complex at Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport. Dassault Falcon Aircraft Services–China will play a key role in ensuring first-class support for the Falcon fleet that is expected to triple by the end of 2012. The unit will be staffed by a team of technicians with an average experience of more than 10 years working with Falcon business jets. The technicians are specially trained on Falcon 7X, Falcon 2000LX, and Falcon 900LX models. Line maintenance, AOG support, troubleshooting, and component replacement will be among the services offered. The Shanghai Hawker Pacific complex features a 4000-m² facility for maintenance, repair, and overhaul, in addition to its fixed-base operations capabilities. It was the first third-party MRO facility in mainland China and is a joint partnership with the Shanghai Airports Authority.
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On March 28, Dassault Falcon in partnership with Shanghai Hawker Pacific announced the formation of Dassault Falcon Aircraft Services–China, which will be located within the Shanghai Hawker Pacific complex at Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport.
Aveos signs five-year engine service contract with Snecma
Aveos signed a five-year agreement for the repair and overhaul of Snecma's CFM56-5 platform engines and Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). Aveos has been providing MRO engine capacity to Snecma for almost 15 years, according to Paul Lochab, Chief Commercial Officer, Aveos Fleet Performance. Aveos has a 515,000-ft² engine facility with three test cells and has expertise on a wide range of engine families including the CF-34-3A & 3B, CF34-8C, 8E, CFM56-2A, 2B, 2C, CFM56-3B1, 3B2, 3C1, CFM56-5A, 5B, 5C, and the Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7 (A-J), JT9D-7R4 (D/E). Program offerings also include component solutions, Quick Engine Change engine management, and inventory solutions.
Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners begins construction on new facility
Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners has begun construction on the company's new facility at Singapore's Seletar Aerospace Park. The new, approximately 15,000-m² manufacturing facility and office building will be the latest addition to Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners' comprehensive suite of businesses in Singapore, with an office area housing production management, various support functions, and Global Services Engineering–Asia, which provides aftermarket repair design innovation to provide airline customers optimum air-worthy, high-quality, cost-effective material reuse solutions. The new facility is expected to be ready for initial occupancy during the first quarter of 2013. Pratt & Whitney is United Technologies Corp.’s largest aerospace employer in Singapore, and is home to the most comprehensive Pratt & Whitney aftermarket presence in one location with five facilities.
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