Industry News

Aerostar S.A., the leading Romanian aerospace company, is building a new hangar at its Bacau location that will double its commercial aviation MRO capacity. The hangar, which is now substantially complete, is having its utilities and equipment installed and will be ready for opening in May. The new 5,000-square-meter hangar can accommodate four bays for regional/narrow-body aircraft. Currently its MRO activities are carried out in an earlier four-bay hangar, so the addition brings total capacity to eight aircraft in more than 10,000 square meters of space. Aerostar can supply 360,000 man-hours a year for commercial aircraft MRO work. It has 32 Part 66 licensed engineers and more than 150 technicians in avionics, mechanics, and structures.

University research

Eaton Corp. has entered into a creative new relationship with Purdue University as a founding member of the Center for Technology Development. The membership reflects Eaton’s recognition that many of the world’s most advanced industrial research and development projects are taking place in university classrooms and laboratories. Eaton was one of three companies that signed a charter to officially launch the Center for Technology Development at Purdue University on Jan. 11, 2012. Each founding member will contribute $50,000 a year for the next three years to help start the center, which provides members with a diversified set of resources to carry out research and development, direct problem-solving and feasibility studies for future products. Headquartered in Purdue’s College of Technology, the Center for Technology Development is designed to produce measurable results to reward industry investments and build long-term relationships with members. Eaton and other members collaborate with Purdue faculty and staff and have access to Purdue labs and centers.

New book on avionics

The second edition of “Avionics: Systems and Troubleshooting” by T.K. Eismin has been published by Avotek Information Resources. Updated to focus on new technologies and the latest aircraft developments, this new volume provides a practical guide to advanced avionics for aviation maintenance schools and current avionics technicians. It has been redesigned and numerous color photos and illustrations have been added throughout. Added discussions cover transport category power distribution systems, electronic panel displays, synthetic vision, electronic flight bags, satellite weather systems and ground proximity systems. This volume takes the AMT past the basic avionics systems into the intricacies of today’s advanced systems. It is a valuable tool in preparing for NCATT certification testing. More information is available at www.avotek.com or by calling (800) 828-6835.

ATP adds Avidyne tech pubs

ATP adds the digital avionics technical publications from Avidyne Corporation to its extensive database of technical and maintenance libraries. All Avidyne avionics libraries from ATP now can be accessed via the new ATP Aviation Hub online service, as well as the NavigatorV desktop platform. Avidyne is a leading provider of integrated flight deck and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, based in Lincoln, MA. This is the first time Avidyne's technical documents have been made available via ATP's comprehensive content services and software applications. The publication is the result of an agreement announced between the two companies in January 2011.

Chinook training facility

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and its Dutch partner the Rotary Wing Training Center (RWTC) officially opened a state-of-the-art CH-47 Chinook helicopter maintenance training facility near Royal Netherlands Air Force base Gilze-Rijen on April 25. The RWTC is a subsidiary of the Netherlands’ World Class Aviation Academy (WCAA). The training includes current technical information and courseware tailored for CH-47 mechanics, technicians, pilots and crew members. The full training program covers theory, troubleshooting and fault isolation, as well as maintenance and servicing. Students receive practical training on a retired Chinook airframe, providing a more realistic learning experience.

AAR goes to Duluth

Illinois-based aircraft repair giant AAR Corp. has agreed to take over most of the vacant former Northwest Airlines maintenance facility and bring as many as 225 jobs to the city of Duluth. The signed letter of intent with the city, announced Tuesday, will let AAR’s maintenance, repair and overhaul group occupy 152,000 square feet of the former Northwest hangar. AAR said it plans to hire up to 225 people once the Duluth hangar is operating at full capacity. Duluth beat out several other cities for the selection.

Helicopter support in Spain