Aircraft Supplier & MRO News

AirGuide Business, Sept 8, 2008

Sep 8, 2008

Aeroflot

Aeroflot's board last week decided to open a branch in Krasnoyarsk, where it will base a Tu-154 and add up to seven aircraft in the fourth quarter. It said the decision was based on "KrasAir's difficulties to continue its operations and to meet the considerable demand in this region." KrasAir is one of the largest constituents of the debt-ridden, five-airline AiRUnion alliance, which recently suffered from operational difficulties and groundings and last week was promised 24,000 tons of fuel by the Russian government through Sept. 14, according to press reports. Sep 1, 2008

Air Nostrum, Bombardier

Spanish avionics company INECO reports that an Air Nostrum Bombardier CRJ200 with an integrated avionics fit has carried out "several perfect" satellite-guided, EGNOS-augmented LPV (localizer performance with vertical guidance) approaches at Valencia airport. Spanish air navigation service provider Aena, Air Nostrum, Rockwell Collins, Jeppesen and the Spanish civil aviation authority and European Aviation Safety Agency are also involved in the project. The next LPV trials will take place in Bologna in September. Sep 1, 2008

Ameco Beijing

Ameco Beijing said its landing gear business in the first half of 2008 increased 84% year-over-year. It provides MRO for such customers as Air China, Lufthansa Technik, Cathay Pacific Airways, Germania and GECAS. Sep 8, 2008

Boeing, Rolls-Royce

US and European air-safety regulators, concerned by potentially dangerous ice build-ups in the fuel systems of some long-haul jets, will issue new operating rules for about 220 Boeing 777 planes, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. The mandatory safety directives apply only to planes with engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce, which comprise about a third of the Boeing 777 fleet world-wide. But under prodding from British officials, Boeing will analyze whether similar precautionary measures should be extended to the rest of its 777 line, people familiar with the matter told the WSJ. The rules are expected to be released in the next few days. Sep 4, 2008

Easyjet, Rockwell Collins

EasyJet recently debuted the first aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins' new dPAVESTM in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The system, which entered into service on an Airbus A321 aircraft, will also be installed on up to 13 additional easyJet aircraft. The dPAVES system for EasyJet features 10-inch retractable LCD displays. In addition, Rockwell Collins' Airshow 4200 Moving Map product has been integrated into the dPAVES system server, saving space, weight and power associated with installing a separate unit. The dPAVES system provides up to an 85 percent reduction in volume, a 70 percent reduction in weight and a 75 percent reduction in power over the analog system. Additionally, dPAVES' Broadcast Digital Server (BDS) offers 160 gigabyte storage capability, with up to 60 hours of video, including encrypted content, and 128 hours of audio. The large storage capability allows easyJet to store two play periods of entertainment content, and the server automatically selects the new content when the new play period starts. Sep 8, 2008

Frontier airlines

Frontier Airlines is planning to shift its heavy maintenance offshore, a move the union "steadfastly" opposes. Union officials did not name the country where the work would take place, although the airline said last week it would send one plane to El Salvador for maintenance. Frontier had no comment on the report. The Teamsters have been negotiating with the bankrupt airline since Sept. 4 to hammer out a new contract after agreeing to temporary wage concessions last May. Sep 8, 2008

Fuji Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi

Fuji Heavy Industries could help with designing the wings of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, using its experience with the Boeing 787 to help with the Japanese aircraft. FHI, which supplies the composite wing box for the 787, confirms its possible involvement but declines to provide details. Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported on Wednesday that the company could send engineers to help design the MRJ's wings and wing box, and eventually manufacture components for the aircraft. Mitsubishi Aircraft, a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, car manufacturer Toyota Motor, and several Japanese trading houses, is also keen to tap Boeing's expertise in the technical, sales and customer support for the MRJ. Sep 3, 2008

Hartzell, Cessna

Hartzell has begun offering its 200cm (80in) diameter, wide-chord three-blade propeller on all Cessna 180 piston aircraft powered by the Teledyne Continental 0-470 engine. The Piqua, Ohio-based company says the decision to widen its offering is a response to market demand for the conversion from seaplane and bush operators and opens the market to around 2,000 potential aircraft upgrades. Hartzell's Top Prop replaces the Cessna 180's two-bladed McCauley C66/201/203/204 propeller, boosting take-off and climb performance, reducing aircraft noise and blade tip erosion and time between overhaul. The complete bolt-on kit is priced at $9,395. Sep 4, 2008