Category: Commercial

FEAM Aero, unveiled its latest addition to the company’s comprehensive aircraft maintenance and repair capabilities at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) late last month. A new state-of-the-art hangar, “Hangar 2.0”, was celebrated on March 28^th with a grand opening ceremony. The project initially broke ground on November 1, 2023. This latest facility represents the significant expansion of FEAM Aero’s footprint at CVG, building upon the success of its previously established hangar facility.

Hangar 2.0 is a three-bay, wide-body hangar. It underscores FEAM Aero’s dedication to innovation and excellence in aircraft maintenance. At approximately 150,000 square feet the hangar represents a monumental $45 million investment. It will contribute to the growth of the local economy, creating 200 new positions for skilled aircraft maintenance professionals. Hangar 2.0 complements the existing 103,000-square-foot, $19 million hangar inaugurated in January 2020. Together, these two facilities form the backbone of FEAM Aero’s Technical Center at CVG, a hub of expertise and cutting-edge technology in aircraft maintenance.

“The opening of Hangar 2.0 marks a new chapter in our journey and growth at CVG Airport,” said Cam Murphy, president of FEAM Aero. “Our expansion highlights more than our commitment to world-class maintenance services; it represents a significant investment in the community, with over $70 million dedicated since 2020 to nurturing the local economy and fostering aviation industry careers. Demonstrating our dedication to both quality service and community development.”

In addition to the hangar facilities, FEAM Aero has forged strategic partnerships to further enhance the aviation ecosystem at CVG. Collaborating with Epic Flight Academy, FEAM Aero has helped establish a new aircraft mechanic training facility at CVG Airport. This groundbreaking initiative, set to commence in April 2024, signifies FEAM Aero’s commitment to expanding the aviation maintenance technician workforce and promoting diversity within the industry.

“The opportunity of opening a new training facility at CVG Airport represents a significant milestone in our mission to build and cultivate the community of tomorrow,” explained Cam Murphy. “By partnering with Epic Flight Academy and leveraging the resources of CVG, FEAM Aero is empowering individuals from all backgrounds to pursue rewarding careers in aviation maintenance.”

The grand opening ceremony of FEAM Aero’s Hangar 2.0 will be accompanied by recruitment events aimed at attracting top talent to join the dynamic team of aircraft maintenance professionals, the company said. These events will provide attendees with an exclusive opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art facility at FEAM Aero’s Hangar 2.0, interact with FEAM Aero’s experts, and learn about exciting career opportunities within the company.

“We invite aspiring professionals and educational institutions alike to join us at our recruitment events and discover the exciting career opportunities available at FEAM Aero,” added Cam Murphy. “Together, we can inspire and empower the next generation of aviation professionals.”

Kollmorgen announced the latest update to its AKD2G servo drive. With the introduction of these new features, Kollmorgen has broadened its offerings to additionally support PROFINET IRT and Ethernet/IP with CIP Sync alongside CANopen, EtherCAT, and FSoE time-synchronized communication protocols. Each protocol is rigorously tested with a variety of motion controllers and certified by industry standards organizations.

The AKD2G servo drive update allows for synchronized motion between multiple drives using a wide variety of control architectures. Thanks to its flexibility and high performance, AKD2G is the ideal drive for use in applications that require highly precise coordination across multiple axes of motion.

The drive features industry-leading power density in a compact package and is easy to mount — with one- and two-axis variants available. Engineers can leverage single-cable Smart Feedback Device (SFD) or HIPERFACE DSL connections or choose from a wide range of other feedback devices.

Finally, the drive features an optional SafeMotion Monitor (SMM) firmware with a safety level of SIL3/PLe to meet functional safety needs and enable a wider range of applications.

“The AKD2G servo drive is an ideal option for automation designers and OEMs that are actively optimizing their designs — offering increased performance, a smaller footprint, and greater design flexibility,” said James Davison, Senior VP/GM at Kollmorgen. “It’s a system designed with our customers in mind to make automation engineering easier, more efficient, and more powerful.”

The AKD2G paired with AKM2G motors is part of the 2G Motion System, a suite of motion products designed to work together for ultimate ease of setup and higher performance. Engineers also can take advantage of the drive’s compatibility with a wider range of controllers and feedback devices — or with other motors, as needed.

QOCO Systems launched its latest innovation, MROTools.io – Assignment. Developed in collaboration with leading industry operators, QOCO says Assignment is a “modern, reliable and cost-efficient solution” that combines three separate modules currently used in maintenance planning – HR, maintenance, and flight ops systems – into one easy-to-use interface.

“Aircraft maintenance operations require simultaneous management of several complex processes. With Assignment, we wanted to make them significantly more manageable by combining all the necessary data and controls into one intuitive interface,” says Ilari Neitola, founder of QOCO Systems. “Instead of scrolling through spreadsheets for personnel availability information, jumping to the maintenance management system for the right plans and at the same time keeping an eye on flight data in case of delays, maintenance planners can access all relevant features with one tool.”

By automating several aspects of staff planning, Assignment reduces the workload of planners and eliminates the need for manual, repetitive tasks. The solution eliminates human error by minimizing manual intervention in the planning process, which can significantly improve the reliability of the planning process and ensure that all staff members are assigned tasks in a fair and efficient manner.

Assignment also accelerates decision-making and thereby enables planners to quickly respond to changes in staff availability, maintenance schedules, and flight operations. This can help airlines to increase fleet availability and reduce delays and downtime, improving overall cost-efficiency. In 2023, over 70% of flight delays in the U. S were caused by the aircraft arriving late or carrier-related issues such as staff shortages or maintenance. The costs of delays for airlines are estimated to reach billions of euros annually.

“When a flight is delayed, it may be necessary to replan staffing due to personnel availability,” Ilari Neitola explains. “If this is done inefficiently, with outdated methods and software resources, it can easily cause further delays, creating a domino effect. Every wasted minute is costly for flight operators. With Assignment, we aim to streamline aircraft maintenance operations so that they can reduce those delays instead of increasing them.”

MROTools.io – Assignment is available starting from March 19th, 2024.

Airworthiness MRO software provider OASES announced the launch of OASES Release 11, saying it marks a “significant update to its aviation software suite.” This latest version delivers new features and enhancements in functionality, security and user experience, tailored for airline operators, MROs and aircraft engineering firms.

The company says OASES Insights, a new feature in Release 11, transforms vast amounts of operational data into actionable intelligence. This analytics tool enables users to uncover patterns and trends, supporting data-driven decisions that can reduce downtime, cut costs and preempt issues for engineering teams and management alike. Designed for ease of use, its intuitive interface and robust dashboards make advanced data analysis accessible to all users.

Release 11 introduces integration technologies designed to enhance the connectivity between OASES and various software and services. These innovations provide quicker, more dependable and scalable integration solutions. With OASES Workflow, developing new integrations is significantly faster, giving customers enhanced flexibility in selecting complementary systems to use with the OASES platform. Additionally, the introduction of OASES Gateway, an API framework, allows third-party software vendors to securely and directly integrate with OASES. This increased integration flexibility means OASES users can more easily connect with other essential systems and processes in their daily operations, leading to time savings and a reduction in human error.

The updated Maintenance Control module offers a simplified, visual approach to planning maintenance activities, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime. This module allows users to manage work orders, assess materials, and plan resources effectively, ensuring a seamless integration with flight schedules.

With Release 11, OASES is now more convenient and secure, with browser-based support, multi-factor authentication (MFA), SSL/TLS encryption and a strengthened cybersecurity framework, for comprehensive threat protection.

The introduction of OASES Academy fosters a learning community among users, industry experts, and the OASES team. Members gain access to exclusive webinars, FAQs, and in-depth courses on OASES and the aviation industry, simplifying the training process for new employees and enhancing the skills of current staff.

“The Release 11 upgrade represents a significant step in our company’s journey,” said Paul Lynch, group managing director. “We’ve worked tirelessly with our customers to understand their needs and build an upgrade that adds significant enhancements to their daily operations.”

OASES will be showcasing Release 11 at two special customer events, being held in Dubai, 24th-25th April 2024 and Barcelona, 15th-16th May 2024.

Argo MRT Americas, an affiliate of DRAKKAR, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Techni-Air 2000 Inc., obtaining 100% ownership of the Montreal-based aircraft maintenance provider renowned for delivering tailor-made, technical handling solutions for airlines, with an impressive track record of dispatch reliability and unparalleled customer satisfaction.

This acquisition broadens Argo MRT Americas’ offering by introducing a second service line focused on line maintenance thereby enhancing the company’s portfolio, in perfect alignment with its foundational vision.

Techni-Air 2000 Inc. holds MRO certifications from Transport Canada, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) complementing Argo MRT Americas’ recent attainment of Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) certified by Transport Canada. Apt to work under its own approval for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Operators, Maintenance Repair & Overhaul organizations, and Lessors throughout Canada, the Americas and now Europe. These combined accreditations further solidify the company’s status as a leader in the provision of mobile repair and line maintenance services.

“Securing the AMO certification for Argo MRT Americas this February was an important and exciting milestone for the company and our commitment of excellence to the aerospace industry. The acquisition of Techni-Air 2000 Inc. is, currently and moving onwards, in line with this forward momentum, perfectly blending a business and human-centric approach to our services. It is an additional step towards enhancing our capabilities and exceeding clients’ expectations. A special thank you to Gilles Valiquette, co-founder of Techni Air 2000 Inc., for his trust and continued support with this important transition,” said David Thibes, vice president & chief operating officer of Argo MRT Americas.

“This strategic acquisition is a significant value addition for the Argo Group as it strengthens our service offerings and considerably expands our global footprint, further affirming our leadership status within the industry. This marks an important milestone, and we look forward to continuing and expanding this great partnership with DRAKKAR in the Americas,” said Marcus Schulz, CEO of Argo Group.

“After almost 25 years at the helm of the company, it gives me great pleasure to entrust the Techni-Air 2000 Inc. workforce, legacy and expertise to Argo MRT Americas. This acquisition allows us the great opportunity to integrate our proven abilities and join a team of highly talented professionals who are geared towards providing exceptional customer service and of maintaining a reputation as an innovative industry leader,” added Gilles Valiquette, president, director of maintenance, Techni-Air 2000 Inc.

“Supporting Quebec’s aerospace companies is essential for the growth and sustainability of our sector which nurtures a community of innovation, excellence, and global competitiveness. Argo MRT Americas’ full acquisition of Techni-Air 2000 Inc. highlights the importance of combining forces to elevate the industry on the world stage, ensuring that the province remains at the forefront of aerospace advancements.” concluded Mélanie Lussier, president & CEO at Aéro Montréal.

Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) highlights its high-performance products including 3-D woven joints, thermal protection systems (TPS), and other 3-D structures.

In partnership with NASA, BRM recently developed the 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads. BRM and NASA efforts are a great example of NASA partnering with an American small business with a unique specialized technological capability that will further current and future exploration plans. The 3DMAT Quartz Material was recently named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year.

BRM uses 3-D continuous weaving to create new joint structures and improve existing joints. Delivering the optimal blend of strength, durability, and structural integrity, BRM’s 3-D woven joints are available in “Pi – π,” double “T,” “H,” and other complex net shapes. 3-D woven joints from BRM lower weight and cost without sacrificing integrity and performance. Because of the nature of the 3-D weave, strength and support is translated in all 3 dimensions, thus enabling the join to reinforce the strength along the load paths of the sub-structures being joined together. These 3-D woven shapes for joining can be tailored to suit the architecture of the structure itself, as well as the sub-components being joined.

3-D woven composites by BRM are particularly successful in aviation heat shield applications such as thermal protection systems. These systems are mission-critical components, particularly in space exploration vehicles, and 3-D woven composites reduce weight and cost while maintaining excellent performance in TPS systems. The ability to vary yarn types, density, thickness, and width, as well as resin type, allows BRM to create fully customizable TPS to fit each specific mission or application’s needs.

Along with TPS systems, 3-D woven components also function well as engine parts in aircrafts Replacing traditional titanium engine components with 3-D woven carbon fiber composites serves to reduce weight and therefore lifetime cost, all while meeting the rigorous demands of manufacturing and use.