Aircraft Supplier & MRO News

AirGuide Business, Sept 1, 2008

Sep 1, 2008

ACSS

ACSS submitted a new software release for its runway incursion product, SafeRoute-SAMM 2.5, for certification by US FAA. The product enables own-ship and other aircraft to be displayed on a moving map of the airport surface using a Class 2 electronic flight bag. According to ACSS, installation of Surface Area Movement Management will allow operators to take advantage of FAA's recently announced cost-share program to help fund installation of runway incursion safety systems on aircraft. Aug 28, 2008

Aeroports de Paris

Aeroports de Paris' recently overhauled ground handling services slipped further into the red, losing EUR7.8 million in the first half compared with EUR7.3 million at the same point last year. ADP said it maintained a goal of reaching break-even in 2009. Aug 29, 2008

Aviall Services, Pratt & Whitney

Aviall Services has entered into an agreement with Pratt & Whitney to distribute JT9D engine spare parts to the world's operators, as part of the Boeing subsidiary's larger strategy to expand its business portfolio. The JT9D was produced from 1969 through 1990 and powers Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft, Airbus A300 and A310 aircraft and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s. There are currently more than 1,200 installed engines. Aug 27, 2008

B/E Aerospace, Continental Airlines, Boeing

B/E Aerospace subsidiary FSI won US FAA STC status for the retrofit installation of its Door 3 Overhead Attendant Crew Rest on Continental Airlines' Boeing 777-200s. OHAR is 800 lb. lighter than the Lower Lobe Crew Rest it replaces and is expected to generate revenue through additional seat and cargo capacity. Installation will take place in Hong Kong. Aug 25, 2008

Cyclone Aviation Products, Boeing

Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone Aviation Products has won a $31 million contract with Boeing to supply structural components for its F-15 fighters. The contract includes the supply of external fuel tanks, pylons, horizontal stabilizers and gun access doors. Deliveries are scheduled for between 2009 and 2011. In March, Cyclone was awarded $160 million by Spirit AeroSystems to supply doors for commercial aircraft. Aug 27, 2008

Embraer, Azul Linhas Aereas

Embraer has begun training pilots, cabin staff and technicians employed by Brazilian startup Azul Linhas Aereas, which is scheduled to launch operations in January. Azul has 36 E-195s on firm order plus 20 options and 20 purchase rights. Aug 28, 2008

Embraer, Kunpeng Airlines

Embraer signed a five-year collaborative inventory parts service contract with Chinese regional Kunpeng Airlines to manage the supply and distribution of spare parts. Aug 28, 2008

GE Aviation

GE Aviation won a six-year OnPoint solution contract from Virgin Blue covering MRO services on CFM56-7Bs operated by Blue and its Pacific Blue subsidiary. Contract is valued at $300 million. Aug 29, 2008

GE Aviation, Afriqiyah Airways, Airbus

GE Aviation yesterday announced a deal with Afriqiyah Airways for CF6-80E1s to power three firm Airbus A330s and three options. Firm engine order is valued at more than $100 million and deliveries are slated to begin in May 2009. The CF6-80E1 incorporates technology from the Tech CF6 program. Tripoli-based Afriqiyah currently operates CFM56s on its A320 fleet. Aug 27, 2008

Hamilton Sundstrand

In our Aerospace Top 100 feature (Flight International, 12-18 August), we gave the wrong impression of the size of Eaton's aerospace business. The $4.48 billion figure, quoted in the ranking and profile article, reflects the company's entire Fluid Power activities, which include industrial hydraulics, fluid connectors and filtration equipment as well as aerospace. The correct figure for its aerospace business is $1.8 billion. We also incorrectly referred to Hamilton Sundstrand as Hamilton Standard, a previous name. Aug 27, 2008

Hampson Industries, Airbus

Airbus has signed a letter of intent with a US division of UK supplier Hampson Industries covering the supply of wing and fuselage curing tools for the A350 XWB program. The $23 million agreement with California-based Coast Composites covers only the first set of tools, for which delivery will start in the current financial year. Hampson expects to derive another $60 million from further deliveries over the next four years. Coast is involved with programs including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787. Aug 27, 2008

Honeywell

Certain software issues that Embraer 170 and 190 operators experienced with the airliners' highly integrated Honeywell-built Primus Epic avionics suite have been resolved. Honeywell says that between the time that the FAA opened up for comment a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) on the issue and today, Honeywell released an updated software load, 21.2, which addressed the agency's concerns. Aug 29, 2008

Hong Kong Aviation

Hong Kong's Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) have expanded their bi-lateral agreement to recognize each other's approvals with regards to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The two sides, since December 2004, have had an agreement covering recognition of MRO work on aircraft components but in a statement the agreement was expanded to also cover aircraft and engines. This initiative does away with the need to obtain separate approval, it says. Aug 29, 2008