Industry News

Sept. 22, 2011

Maintenance service in Russia

FL Technics Ulyanovsk, a complex aircraft technical support and maintenance services provider, has announced a further expansion of its services network. On Aug. 17, 2011 FL Technics Ulyanovsk was granted a residence certificate for operating within the free economic zone in Ulyanovsk, Russia. The certificate was presented by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Russian Federation Elvira Nabiullina. The new construction of a hangar complex of FL Technics Ulyanovsk will be situated in the aviation cluster in Ulyanovsk.

UAS alliance

AME Unmanned Systems, a ChandlerMay Inc. company, and AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, have entered into a strategic alliance agreement regarding unmanned systems development. Under the agreement, the companies have agreed to work together to provide a more comprehensive UAS offering to U.S. and international customers by exploring solutions for electronic warfare and other special missions. The two companies also intend to work together on integration of AME’s Fury(R) UAS with AAI’s UAS launcher and ground control products.

UAS training

Sinclair College of Dayton, OH, and the Unmanned Applications Institute, of Grand Forks, ND, have signed a teaming agreement for innovative training in the emerging industry of unmanned aerial systems. These classes will serve as the foundation for an emerging UAS program to be hosted by Sinclair College. This curriculum will position Sinclair College and Unmanned Applications Institute to capitalize on the growing 100 billion dollar industry. These new class offerings will focus on the information technology side of unmanned aerial systems, including data analysis and full motion video where there is an enormous need for trained technicians. Sinclair and Unmanned Applications Institute will leverage one another’s strengths to make each of their communities more competitive in the emerging UAS industry.

ARINC adds hangar

ARINC Engineering Services adds 62,000 square feet of workspace at its second hangar at Will Rogers World Airport at the ARINC Aircraft Modification and Operations Center. It is currently working on two Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers, one U.S. Government OC-135 Open Skies surveillance aircraft, and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft at the OKC Center. The first hangar can house three of the large aircraft, and this second hangar will be capable of handling up to four more.

Hendershot honored

AMTSociety Executive Director, Tom Hendershot, received a unanimous endorsement for induction into the OX5 Aviation Pioneers Aviation Hall of Fame. Hendershot will be the only inductee from the U.S. at the organization’s 56th Annual Reunion. The OX5 Aviation Pioneers was organized in 1955 in Latrobe, PA. The OX5 Aviation Pioneers Aviation Hall of Fame ceremony will take place in Hammondsport, NY, on Sept. 23-25, 2011.

Dreamliner certified

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a Type Certificate for the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. This certificate recognizes that Boeing has demonstrated compliance to the EASA Type Certification Basis with applicable airworthiness and environmental requirements. Boeing received the FAA Type Certificate simultaneously at a joint ceremony in Seattle. The FAA and EASA worked closely together during the certification of the aircraft, the FAA being the primary authority for all American designs, and EASA the validating authority.

The Boeing 787-8 has now completed all certification requirements prior to its entry into service later this year with the Japanese Airline All Nippon Airways (ANA). The first European airline to operate the Boeing 787-8 will be Poland’s national carrier LOT with the first delivery expected in March 2012.

Chromalloy now in South Korea

Chromalloy has established a new subsidiary in Seoul, South Korea – Chromalloy Korea Ltd. The addition of Chromalloy Korea Ltd. – which will serve as a sales, marketing and customer support office – follows a two-year growth pattern in Chromalloy’s Asia operations. Chromalloy currently has locations in 17 countries.