Maintenance Tools

Misting System Aims to Reduce Bird Strikes

Bird-B-Gone, which designs and manufacturers various bird control products, is offering its new bird misting system as part of an overall strategy to deter the animals from loitering near aircraft flight paths. Following the Jan. 15 crash landing of a US Airways Airbus A320 in the Hudson River after bird strikes apparently disabled both engines, Bird-B-Gone issued an article discussing various bird deterrent technologies and explaining why its misting system helps reduce birds from flying in flight paths around airports. The system creates a fog/mist with five-micron particles that rise up to 700 feet. When the fog, which uses methyl anthranilate, comes into contact with birds, it causes an irritation to their mucous membrane and trigeminal nerve, which forces them to change their flying patterns, grazing habits and nesting locations, the company says. The mist is harmless for the birds, as well as people. Bird-B-Gone concludes that "the key to most pest bird problems is using an integrated approach, combining physical deterrents, audible harassment and sensory products such as misting systems." Bird-B-Gone, 800-392-6915 or visit www.birdbgone.com.

Air Data Test Sets Provide Vital Flight Info for Military Operators

GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies’ air data test sets (ADTS) are seeing increased usage among military operators. The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) is using the ADTS 405, which allows precision calibration/verification of aircraft pitot statistics for maintenance and flight checking, on the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps fleets. As part of a $3.6-million deal finalized in 2008, the MoD ordered 110 additional ADTS units to compliment 173 test sets already in use. The 405 model — which is designed for military applications — provides accurate testing of flight instruments such as air data computers, altimeters, airspeed indicators, rate of climb indicators and mach meters. The ADTS is configurable for a wide variety of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, 800-833-9438 or visit www.gesensing.com.

Flight and Engine Time Reporting Service Now Available from TracPlus

Dunedin, New Zealand-based TracPlus Global has introduced a flight and engine time reporting service, which automatically produces trip reports from engine start, stop, takeoff and landing for aircraft equipped with tracking terminals and sensors. Available at no charge to TracPlus customers, the service allows users to generate reports on aircraft activity through the company’s website. Any TracPlus-compatible terminal that can track airborne and engine run events will be supported by the new service, including FlightCell and NAL Research equipment. TracPlus Global CEO Chris Hinch notes that customers "spend a significant amount of time collating flight and engine time records to ensure that accurate invoices are raised," adding that in challenging market conditions, "it is more and more important to ensure that this work can be done quickly and accurately." TracPlus, +64-3-477-8656 or visit www.tracplus.com.

Work Lights, Cords Available in Various Lengths

K&H Industries of Angola, N.Y. has launched its EP300 series of hazardous location work lights for aircraft maintenance and overhaul applications. The company is also offering its ORS series hazardous cord reels. Designed to Boeing specifications, the lights and reels are Class I, Division 1 certified and listed for hazardous locations, including group C and D sites. They feature aluminum housing, lamp shock absorbers and molded bumper guards. The lights and cables conform to National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA 4) standards. The ORS cord reels have a factory-assembled SOOW cable (an oil-resistant cord rated for outdoor use), adjustable cable guide, spring-activated ratchet, ball stop and six-foot feeder cable. Custom cord lengths are available. K&H Industries, 716-549-0135 or visit www.khindustries.com.

Dylon Substance Leaves Pure Graphite Coating

Researchers from Cleveland, Ohio-based Dylon Industries have developed a paint-like substance that leaves a coating of pure graphite on any surface. Originally designed for aviation applications, Dylon Grade AE leaves a coating that is lubricious, has high thermal and electrical conductivity and does not attract dirt, grease or oil, according to the company. A water carrier surrounds the graphite crystals, similar to a latex paint. Dylon Grade AE will not melt at high temperatures, and is stable up to around 350 degrees F, where the temporary binding material will evaporate, leaving nothing but the pure graphite crystals. According to Dylon, since there is no sticky residue, the coating will not react with most oxides below 2,000 degrees F. Dylon Industries, 800-237-8246 or visit www.dylon.com.

Metabo Hand-Held Screwdriver Designed for Extended Use

West Chester, Pa.-based Metabo Corp. is offering its SE4000 portable screwdriver for applications that require hand-held use for a long period of time. The SE4000 features an ergonomic, lightweight (2.64 lbs) design with a tool length of only 9 ½ inches and a quick bit changing system. The screwdriver’s shell houses a forward and reverse-moving motor with a 4,000-rpm capability and up to 53 inch-lbs of tightening torque. A two-piece depth stop enables bit replacement without losing the selected depth setting. Metabo, 800-638-2264 or visit www.metabousa.com.