Aviation Maintenance: Intelligence: Briefs

Ship it AOG to Stock GPUs

Ship it AOG has signed a definitive agreement with Unitron, LP to become a factory-authorized distributor for their new aircraft ground power products. Under the new agreement, Ship it AOG will market and warehouse Unitron’s 400 Hz GPUs and PwrKart frequency converters. "Our close, long-standing and successful relationship with Unitron has enabled us to now stock their complete line of GPUs and PwrKarts, allowing our customers to receive immediate delivery of new products directly from our Addison, Texas warehouse," said George Miller, president of Ship it AOG.

Life Mist’s Fire Suppression

Life Mist Technologies, Inc. of Paoli, Penn. has entered into a product development and license agreement with Pacific Scientific HTL/Kin-Tech Division of Duarte, Calif. to develop a fire suppression system for use in aircraft. Life Mist owns acoustic water mist/nitrogen technology suited to replace existing aircraft fire suppression systems that use ozone-depleting and global warming potential agents such as halon, according to Life Mist. For several years the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been actively seeking a viable "green" alternative fire suppression agent that is neither ozone-depleting nor contributes to global warming, and Life Mist’s water mist technology represents an environmentally safe and effective replacement.

Air Charter Calls for Papers

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has issued a call for papers for the 2009 Air Charter Safety Symposium. The Air Charter Safety Symposium is an event focusing on safety in the on-demand air charter and shared aircraft ownership industry. The 2009 Symposium is scheduled for February 24-25 at the National Transportation Safety Board Training Center in Ashburn, Va.

S-TEC Celebrates 30 Years

S-TEC is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008. "The 30th anniversary is important to any company and this is a very exciting milestone in S-TEC’s long history," explained Greg Plantz, S-TEC VP sales and marketing. "The company was started in 1978 by a group of engineers who were committed to creating a better general aviation autopilot," Plantz said. "We have grown to be the largest manufacturer of general aviation autopilots in the world." Today S-TEC holds 1,200 STCs for autopilot installations in more than 700 different aircraft. Plantz said that the company’s recent purchase by Cobham will enable S-TEC to maximize current and future opportunities at both ends of its product spectrum. S-TEC is now part of Cobham’s avionics and surveillance division.

New PAMA Show

PAMA’s first Regional Airworthiness Symposium is set for August 22 and 23 in Wichita, Kan. and will feature an exhibit, sponsoring opportunities, networking events and career development activities. "Regional Symposiums will be further strengthened by the involvement of our chapters in the area. The Wichita chapter has helped with programming ideas and is already promoting the event to its members," said John Casker, president of PAMA. The symposium will offer education tracks to meet the needs of both aviation maintenance technicians and the industry’s management personnel. Friday’s schedule will include panels, presentations and discussions on issues facing the industry’s management. Saturday will be dedicated to maintenance technicians and will feature a wide variety of IA renewal approved courses. PAMA’s "closer to home" technical meeting/tradeshow model hopes to provide an intensive two-day experience for attendees "that requires less travel and less time away from the job because we will be offering these events on a regional basis, several times a year," said Clark Gordon of TrueNorth Avionics and PAMA chairman.

Chevron Goes to Disney

Chevron Global Aviation has teamed with Disney Institute to provide a two-day customer service class to its Chevron and Texaco branded fixed based operators (FBOs). The course will introduce FBOs to Disney’s approach on developing and sustaining a service culture. Some of the topics covered during the event include providing quality service, driving customer loyalty, employee training and finding and retaining talent. Chevron will offer the course in Orlando, Fla. on May 8 and 9, and in Anaheim, Calif. on September 18 and 19. Highlights of the program include a visit to the Magic Kingdom Park, where participants will observe how the physical environment, business processes and employee training come together to create Disney service.

Aspen Teams with Liberty

Aspen Avionics announced that it has signed an OEM contract with Liberty Aerospace to provide its Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display (PFD) as standard equipment in the advanced IFR version of the Liberty XL-2 aircraft. The EFD1000 PFD will also be offered as an upgrade option to other versions of the XL-2.

Bluebox Going on BBJ

AviIT is annouced that Bluebox Avionics Ltd. (in which AviIT is a 50 percent owner together with Phantom Media) has won its first customer for the Bluebox wireless controlled, semi-embedded AVOD system with a VIP jet client in the United States. The system will be incorporated into a brand new Boeing BBJ being fitted out by cabin installation specialist Greenpoint Technologies, based in Seattle. Under the contract, the Bluebox units will be installed into seat arm mounts and can be removed by passengers and placed on the tray tables if desired with seat power being available for unlimited usage time. Delivering the latest generation DRM compliant content, the system utilizes the same hardware platform as the innovative Bluebox lite portable unit but configured for full control via a crew management terminal, with all control functions being via an Ethernet 802.11 wireless system. As part of the system, cabin PA, pause, forced playback and system disable functionality will be available together with live, streamed mapping information from a Rockwell Collins Airshow system.

DART Maintains ISO

DART Aerospace Ltd., a member of the Dart Helicopter Services family of companies, has recently undertaken an external audit of its ISO quality system in order to retain its 9001:2000 qualification. QMI-SAI Management Systems Registration conducted its audit of DART’s quality system this week and found zero non-conformances; 2008 marks the fifth consecutive zero non-conformance year for DART with respect to ISO auditing. DART Aerospace first achieved ISO certification in 1997 and has maintained this status since. In 2003, DART was registered to the new 9001:2000 standard. In December 2007, DART was also successfully approved by Transport Canada for the new Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 561 in order to retain its certification to manufacture and certify aerospace products. DART is a Transport Canada certified Design Approval Organization and is an approved Eurocopter France supplier.

CRS Stocks and Acquires

CRS Jet Spares is now an Avox-Eros stocking, sales and distribution facility. CRS’ affiliation with Avox-Eros will provide operators with a wide range of oxygen units. Their inventory will carry smoke goggles, stowage boxes, cylinder assemblies and other Eros accessories in stock to meet customers’ requirements. Additionally, CRS Jet Spares has recently parted out a Premier aircraft providing component and structural items to have available for Premier operators. This inventory includes key items such as: Collins displays, computers, pumps, leading edges, actuators, oxygen masks, inverters, seats and much more.

Vector Increases Services

Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services, formerly ACROHELIPRO, continues to forge ahead in the wake of a recent corporate re-naming at Helicopter Association International 2008. Vector-Helicopter Services has been analyzing, reorganizing and redeploying its assets with the goal of enhancing customer satisfaction, quality and operational efficiencies. Recent initiatives include the company-wide implementation of lean manufacturing processes and in-depth product rationalization.

Jet Source’s P&W Services

Jet Source, headquartered at the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif., has expanded its expertise in offering aircraft maintenance services to specified Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. Jet Source’s maintenance team has received education and training for the Pratt & Whitney Canada products to help customers maintain their engines’ peak performance levels. Pratt & Whitney Canada is a leader in aircraft engines for business, general aviation and regional aircraft as well as helicopters and the company said it is pleased to be able to offer services for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. "Pratt & Whitney Canada is undeniably one of the most innovative manufacturers in the aviation industry," said Jeff Ivy, maintenance manager for Jet Source.

AvFab Receives Door STC

Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) has recently received STC approval for their aft pocket door dividers on Cessna Citation 550 aircraft. "From the very beginning of this concept we were focused on updating the earlier model Citation IIs with a modern, durable pocket divider system that would also be simple to install," said Jeff Lowe of AvFab. "Its composite design is certainly durable and modern, and we designed our system around the existing mounting points, which makes this a mod that our customers can accomplish easily and quickly."

Baldwin Offers Helicopter SMS

Baldwin Aviation Safety & Compliance, headquartered in Hilton Head, S.C., has begun offering a specially designed Safety Management System, RotorSMS, to helicopter operators, and it is already attracting significant attention from some major sources. The program has been reviewed and accepted by the United States Forest Service (USFS) which has added Baldwin Aviation Safety & Compliance to its list of recommended resources.

PW545C Engine Certified

Pratt & Whitney Canada has received type certification from Transport Canada for its new PW545C turbofan engine to power the Cessna Citation XLS+ business aircraft. The PW545C, delivering more than 4,100 pounds of thrust at takeoff, is the sixth engine in the popular PW500 family selected by Cessna Aircraft Company for its growing line of light and midsize Citation business jets. The new turbofan outfits the Citation XLS+ with a full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) for reduced pilot workload and intelligent diagnostic capability.

Duncan Aviation Named ASF

Bombardier Inc. recently named Duncan Aviation – Battle Creek as an Authorized Service Facility (ASF) for the Challenger 300 Aircraft. Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek was named a Challenger 604 ASF in 2005 and continues to support Challenger 600 and 601 models. "We are pleased that as an independent, family-owned service provider, Bombardier recognizes Duncan Aviation – Battle Creek as a natural fit to provide services for their expanded product line," said Aaron Hilkemann, president of Duncan Aviation.

GE Opens NDT Display

GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies has opened its customer display area at GE Aviation’s Customer Technical Education Center (CTEC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. CTEC is GE Aviation’s state-of-the art training facility, with a full-time staff of instructors providing engine maintenance training for customer personnel. Customers visiting CTEC will now have the ability to see GE’s inspection equipment applied to aircraft engine inspections. The display will contain GE’s Phasor XS phased array ultrasonic flaw detector, Everest XLG3 VideoProbe and Rhythm software solutions suite, which is utilized to acquire, analyze, report and archive multi-modal inspection data.

Sabreliner to Make Rudders

Sabreliner Corp. has been awarded a contract by The Boeing Company to build replacement rudders for the U.S. Air Force fleet of KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft used primarily for aerial refueling. Sabreliner will draw upon the resources of its three southeast Missouri manufacturing, machining and assembly operations to undertake the work. The contract is valued at more than $15 million and will utilize Sabreliner’s expanded aviation manufacturing capabilities. The manufacturing will take place at Sabreliner’s Ste. Genevieve, Mo. operation.

AircraftLogs Receives Award

AircraftLogs was named Outstanding Start-up Business in the 2007 TopCAT (Top Contributors to the Advancement of Technology) Innovation Awards competition. The annual event is sponsored by TechColumbus, an organization of top technology leaders in central Ohio.

Jet Source Authorized

Jet Source, headquartered at the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif., has expanded its aircraft maintenance services by becoming the first Pratt & Whitney Authorized Service Center in San Diego. To earn its "authorized" status, Jet Source’s maintenance team received special education and training for Pratt & Whitney products.

R-R and Turbomeca Extend

Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca (SAFRAN Group) have extended Europe’s longest-running aerospace joint venture by renewing their collaboration on the Adour engine for a further 30 years. Co-operation between Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca began in May 1965, with the agreement between the British and French governments to build the Jaguar fighter/trainer aircraft. Then the partnership was selected to develop and supply the Adour engine for the Jaguar.

Mobile Service Team Grows

Landmark Aviation/Standard Aero has implemented a national toll-free number for its Mobile Service Team (MST) network, a national network of MRO field-service engineers who offer on-site consultation, line and on-wing troubleshooting and repair services for business aircraft operators. The number is 1-877-GO-MST-99 (1-877-466-7899). "With our MST network we are able to offer real-time, on-site service for customers in urgent need of engine and aircraft repairs," said Greg Haywood, director of field service programs for Landmark Aviation/Standard Aero. Landmark Aviation/Standard Aero MST teams are based in Phoenix, West Palm Beach, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Van Nuys and Islip (Long Island) N.Y.

EMTEQ Granted Certificate

EMTEQ was granted its Air Agency Certificate E3TR548Y by the FAA in November 2007. As a certified repair