Delta Signs MOU

Delta TechOps (see AM April 2007, page 16) signed a memorandum of understanding with CFM. CFM will provide up to 60 engine overhauls per year during the five-year agreement for CFM56-3 replacement engine parts.

American and TDG’s UFI

American Airlines and TDG Aerospace have begun installing a universal fault interrupter (UFI) that protects the center fuel tanks from electrical faults, extended dry pump operation and uncommanded pump operation. The installation has FAA STC approval for the B757 and is an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMoC) to the fuel restrictions required by AD 2002-24-51, thereby eliminating the requirement to carry 1,000 pounds of extra fuel.

Spirit’s Nacelle Services

Boeing’s Commercial Aviation Services signed with Spirit AeroSystems to provide component repair and overhaul services on Boeing aircraft components. Under the agreement, Spirit will repair and overhaul engine nacelles for Boeing 777 and Next-Generation 737 airplanes.

DSPCon Gets Certification

DSPCon provides data acquisition, analysis, archiving and recording solutions for the aerospace industry and has received ISO 9001:2000 certification from EQA. To achieve this certification, DSPCon needed to have a comprehensive quality management system that addresses all areas of its operation.

Lufthansa Signs MOU

Lufthansa Technik (see page 16) signed a memorandum of understanding with Austrian Technik. For Lufthansa, this agreement increases its support for Austrian Technik and Austrian’s main objectives are to help reduce overall engineering costs, maintain its Vienna site as an independent center of technology and to further develop shared facilities.

Ryan Opts for Ameco

Ameco Beijing will provide major engine service for Ryan International Airlines for the company’s RB211-535 engines, which power its Boeing 757 fleet. The five-year contract was signed after Ameco overhauled two of Ryan’s engines in 2006 and 2007.

BCF Designs Grows

BCF, designers and manufacturers of aerospace test equipment, opened a new facility in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. The new facility doubles the company’s workforce in that location and doubles output capacity at the Love Lane, Cirencester plant.

Turkish Signs Pegasus

Pegasus Airlines, a low-cost carrier in Turkey, signed an agreement that authorizes Turkish Technic to perform two (firm) and one (optional) overhauls for the airline’s CFM56-7B engines, which power the company’s Boeing 737 NG aircraft. Turkish also signed an agreement with Kuzu Airlines Cargo, an air cargo freighter of Turkey. Under this contract, Turkish will perform the four landing gear overhauls for Kuzu’s A300-B4 aircraft.

CFM56 Training in India

CFM International will open its fourth aircraft engine maintenance training school in India, which will have the capability of training up to 500 engineers each year. The new school will initially provide courses in line maintenance and borescope inspection for CFM56-7B and CFM56-5B engines, which power Boeing 737s and a majority of Airbus A320s, respectively.

Highland’s Acquisition

Highland Capital Management, L.P. completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the outstanding ownership interests in Nex-Tech Aerospace (formerly Thayer Aerospace). Highland added Nex-Tech to its portfolio in order to expand its presence in the aerospace, defense and space industries. Nex-Tech manufactures complex structural airframe components and assemblies.

Paperless GSE Operations

Gryphyn Works delivers hosted maintenance and tracking systems and with its Horizon Air partnership, the company enabled the carrier to conduct all of its ground support equipment maintenance operations paperless. This agreement makes Horizon the first airline in the world to conduct its GSE operations without paper.

Continental Goes Green

Continental Airlines agreed to use Pantheon Chemical’s non-hazardous pretreatment, PreKote, on the company’s fleet before it is repainted. PreKote replaces toxic chemicals like hexavalent chromium with environmentally friendly chemicals.

M7 Launches New Unit

The new division becomes M7 Aerospace’s sixth business unit. The engineering division will provide design, analysis and test procedures and employs a staff of 26 engineers and support personnel. This team has certified aircraft and systems to FAA, EASA and other foreign certification agencies and is familiar with both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

A J Walter Buys Spares

The London-based aircraft support specialist A J Walter Aviation, purchased a Boeing B737NG rotable and consumable spares package, including all tooling and test equipment for line maintenance up to C-check level. The tooling and test equipment will help establish a new aircraft maintenance facility that will specialize in B737NGs.

Qantas Selects GEnx

The GE Aviation GEnx engine will be the powerplant for the Qantas Group’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, up to 115 aircraft. The initial order is for 90 installed engines and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2008. The GEnx engine is scheduled for certification in September this year.