Turbine engine OEMs are seeing their order books fill as a result of new aircraft orders being placed by airlines and leasing companies around the world. More aircraft, more engines, eventually this means there will be more turbine engine maintenance repair and overhaul activity. As we all know, turbine engine MRO includes many specialized technical processes, some of which continue to advance in both process and repair equipment technology. One of these highly specialized processes used to repair aircraft including turbine engine parts is welding. Welding processes continue to evolve and remain some of the most critical work performed in aircraft maintenance.
In this issue of AMT, Del Williams describes how Hi-Tech Furnace Systems’ dynamic fluoride ion cleaning process provides turbine engine MRO technicians the ability to prepare an ideal surface prior to brazing.
One of Pratt & Whitney’s more recent innovations in turbine engines has been the PurePower Geared Turbofan engine or GTF. This new technology engine has been chosen by many operators, and promises to be quieter, burn less fuel, and be friendlier toward the environment. Although there’s little to say yet relating to maintenance repair and overhaul, this issue of AMT does provided a description of this new turbine engine technology with some hints of what to expect when maintaining these new engines.
Not all the pages of this issue relate to turbine engines; but most do relate to MRO. AMT field editor Charles Chandler spoke with Craig Rose vice president of operations with Aircraft On Ground Inc. (AOG), a repair station specializing in finding and fixing fuel system leaks in large aircraft.
As we continue to provide editorial content relating to the MRO segment of aircraft maintenance, AMT magazine will be exhibiting at MRO America 2012. Held this year April 3rd through the 5th at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, TX, stop by booth #3025 meet the staff and say hello.
Cygnus Aviation Expo
March 7th through the 9th, 2012 will be the Cygnus Aviation Expo held in Las Vegas, NV. This year’s expo is promised to be better than ever. We’ve put together several education sessions that will peak the interest of aircraft maintenance technicians, managers, service providers, and leaders, including a day long pre-show training session directed toward technical and operations personnel moving into their first supervisory or managerial role. Other sessions of interest will be a discussion on the subject of “actively engaged” for Inspection Authorization holders, and unmanned aircraft as an emerging industry, with a focus on unmanned ariel systems (UAS) training and education for aircraft technicians. I will be hosting a roundtable discussion with several leaders in the business aircraft FBO and MRO segment, discussing the challenges and best practices of managing multiple locations, including how to attract and retain good technical staff. For more information visit www.cygnusaviationexpo.com. I hope to see you there. Ron
