Machinists Back to Work

Following a 58-day strike by the Intl Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union, around 27,000 Boeing employees returned to their jobs on Nov. 2. The stoppage resulted from a contract dispute that was settled with a new four-year contract that includes wage increases of five percent and a 16 percent pension hike. The agreement also includes lump sum payment of at least $8,000 over the course of the contract, according to Boeing. IAM represents workers in the states of Washington, Oregon and Kansas.

Paint Hangar Opens

Iberia has converted one of its maintenance hangars in Madrid, Spain to focus on aircraft painting. The 2,900-square-meter (31,215-square-foot) hangar will be used for stripping, sanding, painting and drying after major overhauls, as well as painting new or green aircraft before they enter service. A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 757-200 is the first aircraft that will receive a paint job at the facility, followed by an Ural Airlines Airbus A320. Located near the Barajas Airport, the hangar will feature special lighting and air quality monitors for controlling ventilation, temperature and humidity. Less volatile components in the paint will make it more environmentally friendly, lighter weight and lower fuel consumption, according to Iberia. The company has seven hangars in Madrid for inspections, maintenance and repairs, as well as airframe, engine and component work.

StandardAero APU Site

Windsor Locks, Conn.-based Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems (HSPS) has named StandardAero’s facility in Maryville, Tenn. as an authorized repair center for the APS 2300 auxiliary power unit, which is currently installed on the Embraer E-Jets family. APU maintenance, component and parts replacement, and warranty repairs are available at Maryville. Under the appointment, HSPS will provide technical support, training, engine manuals and APS 2300 maintenance data to StandardAero.

Shannon Rib 5 Check

Irish MRO Shannon Aerospace is conducting a 12-year check and Rib 5 replacement for one of Air Mediterranee’s A321s. The aircraft arrived in Shannon, Ireland at the end of October, where the company began maintenance work. Shannon Aerospace also plans to perform a full stripping and painting before returning the A321 to Air Mediterranee. It is the first agreement between the two companies.

Jet Time Fleet Support

A J Walter Aviation has signed a five-year contract to supply power-by-the-hour support for Jet Time. The deal covers the Danish carrier’s Boeing 737s. Operators using the UK-based A J Walter program include airlines in the Nordic countries, central and Eastern Europe, and the Balkans.

Honeywell Parts Deal

Under a five-year contract, Honeywell has agreed to supply ST Aerospace with up to $30 million in mechanical parts for several aircraft types, including the Boeing 737, 747, 757 and 767. The contract adds to a Feb. 2008 deal covering mechanical components and avionics of 737s, Airbus A320s and select legacy aircraft. Honeywell has also obtained a separate agreement to provide APUs for China Eastern Airlines’ fleet of 30 A320s currently on order. Under that 10-year arrangement, Honeywell will also supply maintenance services for the APUs.

Air Services to Join CAS

Ontario, Calif.-based Certified Aviation Services (CAS) is planning to integrate recently purchased Air Services with its existing maintenance operation at Los Angeles Intl Airport (LAX) in California. Air Services has been a maintenance provider for international carriers at LAX since 1993. CAS offers line and heavy maintenance, appearance services and modifications for commercial and military aircraft through its network of 16 U.S. locations.

Croatia Performs C-Checks

Lufthansa has expanded its support contract with Croatia Airlines to include C-checks on Airbus A320 series aircraft. The carrier provides A320 and Bombardier Q400 C-checks on behalf of Lufthansa at its overhaul canter in Zagreb. Croatia also offers Lufthansa’s total engine support (TES), total component support (TCS) and airframe related components (ARC) programs.

Sabena Assists Swiftair

Madrid, Spain-based Swiftair has signed a three-year deal to receive component repair and overhaul services from Sabena Technics. The agreement covers the carrier’s fleet of five Boeing 737-400s and includes pool access and consignment stock at the company’s base in Madrid.

Carrier Taps SR Technics

SR Technics has agreed to provide an integrated component solutions (ICS) package for 19 leased Airbus A330s in operation with Singapore Airlines. The seven-year deal, effective in 2009, will cover exchanges, maintenance, repairs and management for around 350 components, and has an option for two additional years.

Component Deal Awarded

Air France Industries (AFI) has won a contract to supply component support for Afriqiyah Airways’ fleet of 14 Airbus A319s and A320s. Under the agreement, the Libyan carrier will have access to AFI’s spare parts pool at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris, and in-line component support. AFI also plans to assist Afriqiyah with EASA Part 145 certification.

B/E to Supply A350 Galley

Airbus has chosen B/E Aerospace to provide its next-generation galley system for the A350XWB. The contract is valued at more than $1 billion. Projected for first deliveries in 2013, the A350XWB will feature a galley system based on "flex zones," which will allow operators to configure their aircraft based on various pre-engineered options.

Aero Center Established

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced the establishment of a Center of Excellence as part of its College of Engineering. The center will be devoted to advanced research in aeronautics and propulsion systems. Embry-Riddle is part of a consortium of four universities — Florida State University, University of Central Florida, and University of Florida — that was awarded a three-year $14.5 million grant in July to establish the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP). Dr. Reda (Ray) Mankbadi, a professor of aerospace engineering for Embry-Riddle’s College of Engineering, has been tapped to direct the center’s research programs and coordinate its work with FSU and other university partners and researchers.

Radar Support From Saab

Saab has secured a 10.5-million-euro contract to provide space and other support equipment for the French Air Force’s Giraffe AMC radars. Deliveries of the AMB radars are set to begin in six months and run up to 15 months. Six government customers, including Sweden, Estonia and the UK, have purchased the 3D Giraffe AMB, according to Saab.