Category: Commercial

Jamco Corporation and JAXA Collaboratively Design Metamorphic Lavatory Concept for Passengers with Reduced Mobility

Jamco Corporation has designed its next generation lavatory aimed at solving the long-standing difficulties of passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) as a part of “Jamco Vision 2030”. This project is an ongoing collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Japanese national research and development agency for air and space.

PRMs requiring total assistance can find it difficult to use the lavatory during flights due to the confined space being too narrow for caregivers to enter the lavatory and assist PRMs. The inclusive “Metamorphic Lavatory” concept temporarily combines two adjacent lavatory units and a connecting cross aisle, resulting in the creation of an unprecedented spacious environment without necessitating a reduction in seat capacity.

Upon a PRM’s request to use the lavatory, cabin crew can maneuver the lavatory into expansion mode, where the doors blocking the cross aisle are closed to create a closed space. Odor and sound containment, as well as user privacy, are ensured through the use of a partition wall instead of a curtain. The door of the lavatory unit and the internal partition are moved together, and this space enables PRMs to get close to the toilet in their on-board wheelchair while providing space for two caregivers to stand in supportive positions in front and to the side of the toilet.

This concept can cater to a variety of passengers’ needs beyond the primary function. The lavatory houses a changing table for children and can support the setup of a simple bed that also serves as an adult changing table. A small folding shelf above the toilet can serve as a convenient place for ostomy appliances while allowing passengers to see themselves in the mirror. The multipurpose space is ideal for nursing activities and can also serve as a tranquil space for children to calm down.

PSA Airlines extends $15,000 sign-on bonus for experienced Aviation Maintenance Technicians who join Ohio maintenance base – Up to $32,500 in bonuses available

PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines and leading regional airline, has announced the extension of a series of bonuses totaling up to $32,500 for experienced aircraft maintenance technicians who join its Dayton maintenance base by May 13, 2024.
Bonus opportunities include a $15,000 sign-on bonus for joining as an aircraft maintenance technician or lead in Dayton, as well as the following that apply to candidates hired at any of PSA’s maintenance bases:

• An experience bonus for qualified aircraft maintenance technicians
o $12,500 bonus for over three years of experience
o $10,000 bonus for over two to three years of experience
o $7,500 for one to two years of experience
• A $5,000 toolbox or cash-in option
• A $7,500 in relocation assistance for non-local candidates who are hired

To apply, candidates should visit PSAairlines.com/mechanics-maintenance.

About PSA Airlines
PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, operates an all-jet fleet consisting of exclusively Bombardier regional jet aircraft. The company’s nearly 4,600 team members operate about 600 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, PSA has flight crew bases in Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Dayton; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. PSA has maintenance facilities in Dayton; Canton/Akron; Cincinnati; Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth; Greenville, S.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Savannah, Ga. PSA owns 51 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft and 80 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. For more, visit http://www.psaairlines.com.

Boeing designated as an authorized distributor for Parker Meggitt wheel and brakes

Customers around the world can continue to rely on Boeing for Parker Meggitt’s full line of wheels and brake parts. Boeing announced a three-year renewal of an authorized distributor agreement, identifying Boeing as a global distributor for Parker Meggitt’s Braking Systems Division full line of wheel and brake parts.

“We continue to leverage our partnerships and global network to ensure we are able to provide a robust product portfolio, repair services and solutions for our customers, when and where they need them,” said Travis Sullivan, vice president and general manager, Boeing Distribution. 

Boeing says customers can rely on the availability wheel and brake products through aftermarket part sales, rotables exchange program and repair services. 

“We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment with Boeing to support our diverse customer needs. This renewed agreement is a reflection of our strong relationship and confidence in Boeing’s ability to serve our global demand,” said Jennifer Osbaldestin, general manager, Parker Meggitt Braking Systems Division

Boeing has a diverse and expansive portfolio that includes more than 15 million parts, chemicals, services and tailored solutions that reduce cost, risk and complexity through a global network with localized support.

Parker Meggitt joined the Parker Aerospace Group in September 2022 following the successful acquisition of Meggitt.

Boeing Renews Wheel and Brake Distribution Agreement with Collins Aerospace

Boeing will continue as the global distributor for Collins Aerospace’s full line of wheel and brake parts. The companies signed a three-year renewal of a master distributor agreement supporting business, regional and commercial aircraft wheel and brake needs.

Customers can get Collins Aerospace products through Boeing’s aftermarket part sales, rotables exchange program, and wheel and brake repair services.

The continuation of our partnership with Collins Aerospace enables us to leverage our robust product portfolio to provide global material availability, product repair services, and comprehensive solutions for our customers,“ said Travis Sullivan, vice president and general manager, Boeing Distribution.  

The agreement demonstrates Boeing’s support – which spans nearly a century – for business, commercial and defense markets with industry-leading product lines that enable customers to maintain their aircraft reliably, safely and efficiently.

PEM-AIR Turbine Engine Services Announces Grand Opening of New Facility, Expanding Capacity and Capabilities for Commercial Aviation Aftermarket

Pem-Air Turbine Engine Services (Pem-Air) announced the grand opening of its brand-new, state-of-the-art facility. The 80,000-square-foot facility represents a significant expansion for Pem-Air, signifying the company’s unwavering commitment to serving the commercial aviation aftermarket with excellence and innovation.

“Pem-Air’s growth is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing our customers with exceptional service and results,” said Virgil D. Pizer, CEO of Pem-Air. “This new facility signifies a giant leap forward in our capabilities and efficiency, allowing us to better serve the needs of our valued clients.”

Seven Times the Capacity

The new facility boasts seven times the capacity of Pem-Air’s previous space. This remarkable expansion includes over 20 engine bays, with the potential to accommodate up to 35 depending on configuration. This expanded capacity allows Pem-Air to cater to a wider range of aircraft engines, particularly specializing in the GE-90 and Trent 800 engines, with the same level of precision and expertise they are known for. Pem-Air will continue to service a comprehensive range of engine types, including CFM56, CF6, CF34, V2500, JT9D, JT3D/TF33, PW2000, PW4000, and RB211.

A New Era of Aviation Excellence

The new facility positions Pem-Air to be at the forefront in the commercial aviation MRO industry. With increased capacity and advanced technology, Pem-Air is prepared to deliver faster turnaround times, exceptional service, and unmatched expertise to its customers.

“We are thrilled to usher in a new era of aviation excellence with the opening of this facility,” said Pizer. “Pem-Air is ready to soar to greater heights and deliver the quality and service you deserve.”

WISER Systems, Inc. Unveils New Software Analytics at MRO Americas 2024

WISER Systems is unveiling its latest graphical user interface (GUI) enhancement for its ATLAS, the enterprise-wide live positioning system. The company says its new GUI is a testament to their commitment to innovation and enhanced customer usability in real-time asset tracking.

The enhanced GUI features improved search functionality, enhanced graphical features for better visualization of thousands of tagged items, upgraded tag reassignment capabilities for faster throughput and enhanced tag rules and notifications.

ATLAS provides precise, wireless location tracking for hundreds to thousands of tagged items in real-time, even within densely packed metallic environments. This advanced system maintains high accuracy while minimizing infrastructure requirements, ensuring easy installation and usage.

Companies of all sizes can benefit from deploying WISER ATLAS site and campus-wide, enabling seamless association of work orders or part numbers with tags via the WISER mobile/desktop app. This association facilitates instant tracking throughout and beyond manufacturing facilities, capturing processes indoors and outdoors.

Utilizing proprietary UWB Redundant Radio Location & Tracking (RRLT) technology, WISER’s ATLAS addresses Industry 4.0 priorities such as smart manufacturing, operational improvements, warehouse management, inventory control, supply chain logistics, and yard management.

Mark Dirks, chief revenue officer at WISER Systems, emphasized the significance of the new GUI enhancement, stating, “Our enhanced GUI will significantly improve the user experience with WISER’s ATLAS. It revolutionizes asset tracking by enabling real-time, high accuracy tracking of thousands to tens of thousands of work orders and assets simultaneously, even in challenging industrial environments. The system offers unparalleled accuracy with minimal infrastructure requirements, making it a cost-effective solution with rapid return on investment.”

WISER Systems’ dedication to innovation continues to propel advancements in real-time asset tracking, empowering companies to optimize operations and achieve greater efficiency.

Abaco Systems Unveils SBC3513L: Next-Gen 3U VPX SBC optimized for FPGA-Based TSN Endpoint Solutions

AMETEK Abaco Systems announced the release of the SBC3513L Single Board Computer (SBC), a groundbreaking solution optimized for the growing demands of modern military and industrial applications. Developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard, the SBC3513L delivers exceptional yet balanced processing power and optional FPGA-based Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) Endpoint capabilities for mission and safety-critical systems.

“Our approach is to develop products which support TSN as flexibly as possible, combining Abaco’s FPGA hardware with FPGA IP Cores to create TSN Switched Endpoints in our SBCs,” said Alan Hislop, division vice president of business development & sales for AMETEK Abaco Systems. “We believe the FPGA-based approach will be key to delivering both full TSN compliance and the 10G bandwidth requirements of major new programs such as the US Army’s Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA), Future Vertical Lift (FVL) applications, aviation upgrades, and technology insertion.”

Featuring the Intel Xeon W processor, 100GbE data plane, and onboard Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ FPGA for additional programmable capabilities, the rugged SBC3513L offers exceptional performance and reliability for demanding command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C5ISR) applications. With its seamless upgrade path and advanced thermal management design, the SBC3513L sets a new standard for rugged computing solutions in space-constrained environments.

AAR Breaks Ground on MRO Facility Expansion in Oklahoma City

AAR broke ground on the expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Oklahoma City earlier on April 5, 2024.

More than 150 representatives from AAR, Alaska Airlines, state and local government, and partner organizations supporting the efforts gathered to celebrate groundbreaking on AAR’s new three-bay facility that is being constructed adjacent to the Company’s existing facility at Will Rogers World Airport.

The new facility has been designed to provide AAR an additional 80,000+ square feet of hangar and warehouse space and to accommodate all 737 variants, including the 737-10. AAR’s growth in Oklahoma City supports a recently expanded maintenance commitment from Alaska Airlines, a valued customer of AAR for more than 20 years. The new airframe MRO facility is expected to be operational in January of 2026.  

Considerable funding for the project was made possible through a grant secured by Oklahoma legislators, with the balance expected to be funded through rent concessions from the airport.

Speakers at the groundbreaking celebration included John M. Holmes, AAR’s Chairman, President and CEO; Don Wright, Alaska Airlines’ Vice President of Maintenace & Engineering; Grayson Ardies, State Director of Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission; Lt. Governor Matt Pinell; Senator Paul Rosino; Jeff Seymour of Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development; Terry Salmon, Chair of the Oklahoma City Airport Trust; and Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City Director of Airports. 

Holmes shared, “Today’s groundbreaking has been made possible thanks to collaborative efforts across AAR and Alaska Airlines, partnerships with Oklahoma City Airport Trust, and state and local representatives who are passionate about expanding aviation in Oklahoma. We are especially excited about creating 200 additional full-time careers with AAR, which we expect to fill through local technical schools and workforce development partners who create opportunities though aviation-centric programming, such as Choose Aerospace.”

“The Oklahoma City Airport Trust is excited to partner with AAR to expand its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operation at Will Rogers World Airport. This expansion of AAR’s MRO operation provides more hangar capacity at OKC, along with more aviation jobs for our community,” said Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City’s Director of Airports.

“This groundbreaking isn’t just about constructing a hangar. It’s about cultivating an excellent experience for all involved. JE Dunn is honored to bring our construction expertise and leadership and partner with The Oklahoma City Airport Trust (OCAT) to support the business growth happening in our city,” said Jason Bishop, JE Dunn’s Vice President – Oklahoma City, who is leading the construction effort.

DDC-I and North Atlantic Industries Announce DAL A BSP Support for Safety-Critical Deos RTOS Running on NAI’s 68PPC2 T2080 Multi-core OpenVPX Single Board Computer

DDC-I, a leading supplier of software and professional services for mission- and safety-critical applications, and North Atlantic Industries, a leading provider of embedded systems for mil/aero applications, today announced the availability of DDC-I’s Deos™ DO-178C Design Assurance Level A (DAL A) verified FACE-conformant real-time operating system and a DAL A Board Support Package (BSP) for NAI’s 68PPC2 T2080 PowerPC OpenVPX single board computer. The BSP provides complete DO-178C/ED-12C DAL A verification evidence, including high assurance boot, multiple Ethernet channels leveraging the T2080 DPAA, PCIe, SATA flash storage, I2C, serial, real-time clock, watch dog timer, SPI, USB, and GPIO, greatly accelerating the development, deployment, and certification of high-performance safety-critical applications for avionics systems.

DDC-I’s approach to building safety critical software mirrors North Atlantic’s approach to configuring boards, with an emphasis on modular, scalable portable DAL-A verification. Deos utilizes a DAL-A linking loader that allows OS binary components and their artifacts to travel separately. NAI’s Configurable Open Systems Architecture™ (COSA®) utilizes highly modular, portable components that can be added or removed, and reapplied to other system configurations with maximum reuse of DAL-A artifacts. This shared commitment to modularity, portability and reuse enables avionics designers utilizing Deos and the COSA architecture to reconfigure their I/O systems with minimal impact on hardware, software and DO-178 recertification.  

“Our SafeMC multi-core technology and reusable verification evidence make Deos an ideal environment for developing, certifying and deploying high-performance, FACE-conformant, safety-critical avionics applications targeting the 68PPC2 and COSA architecture,” said Greg Rose, Vice President of Marketing at DDC-I. “Our SafeMC technology provides unique solutions to address the AC 20-193 multi-core objectives, delivering best-in-class performance and determinism for safety-critical applications running on NXP PowerPC multi-core processors.”

“Deos running atop the 68PPC2 gives avionics developers an integrated platform that combines high-performance multi-core performance with a best-in-class safety-critical RTOS,” added Lino Massafra, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NAI. “Developers requiring the highest level of design assurance now have a rugged, flexible, off-the-shelf solution with configurable I/O and DAL-A evidence in a compact, low-power package that accelerates deployment of safety-critical systems.”

Deos is a safety-critical embedded RTOS that employs patented cache partitioning, memory pools, and safe scheduling to deliver higher CPU utilization than any other certifiable safety-critical COTS RTOS on multi-core processors. First certified to DO-178 DAL A in 1998, Deos combines DO-178C DAL A artifacts with FACE® Technical Standard support that encompasses the Safety Base and Safety Extended Profiles for the Operating System Segment (OSS). The Safety Base Profile features hard real-time response, time, and space partitioning, and both ARINC-653 and POSIX interfaces. The Safety Extended Profile, which adds support for TCP/IP communications, multi-process support, and expanded POSIX capability (80 extra functions), is a superset of the functionality required by the Safety Base and Security Profiles.

SafeMC technology extends Deos’ advanced capabilities to multiple cores, enabling developers of safety-critical systems to achieve best in class multi-core performance without compromising safety-critical task response and guaranteed execution time. SafeMC employs a bounded multi-processing (BMP) extension of the symmetric multi-processing architecture (SMP), safe scheduling, and cache partitioning to minimize cross-core contention and interference patterns that affect the performance, safety criticality and certifiability of multi-core systems. These features enable avionics systems developers to address issues that could impact the safety, performance and integrity of a software airborne system executing on Multi-Core Processors (MCP), as specified by the FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-193.

The 68PPC2 is a 3U OpenVPX™ NXP® T2080 PowerPC single-board computer that can be configured with up to two NAI smart I/O and communications function modules. Featuring an NXP QorlQ® T2080 Quad Core e6500 Processor running at 1.5 GHz, and consuming less then 25W, the 68PPC2 is ideally suited for rugged Mil-Aero applications that accelerate deployment of SWaP-optimized systems in air, land, and sea applications. The 68PPC2 comes equipped with eight Mbytes of DDR3 SDRAM and 32 Gbytes of SATA II NAND Flash. It also features PCIe, USB, I2C, TTL, and RS-232 interfaces, as well as an optional SATA II for external access to up to 2 Gbytes of expansion memory.

PIA to Send Competitors from All Four Campuses to Nationwide Mechanic Competition in Chicago April 9-11

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) is preparing to send teams of students from each of its four branch campuses to compete in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Council (AMC) Competition taking place in Chicago on April 9-11.

The competition invites teams of students who are in training to become aviation maintenance mechanics to compete in 27 different problem-solving challenges that simulate real-world situations which they may face as professional mechanics. 

Each event is sponsored by a leading aviation industry employer, including American Airlines, FedEx, Michelin, Pratt & Whitney, and Southwest. This year’s events include StandardAero Engine Fan Blade Removal, American Airlines Logo Light Harness Troubleshooting, U.S. Army Helicopter Main Rotor Track & Balance Adjustment, and more.

“Attending AMC gives our students a chance to see how big and diverse the aviation industry truly is, and they can bring that experience back to share with their fellow students at school,” said Michael Basara, PIA Myrtle Beach campus director. “In the competition, they will be partnered with teams from the industry or the military and get to see these professionals at their best, with plenty of chances to network, learn, be mentored, and connect with recruiters. Everyone there is willing to help others and cheer other teams on, even in the heat of competition. In the end, our students really compete against themselves to do their best.”

PIA will be sending teams to this year’s AMC competition from its Hagerstown, Myrtle Beach, Pittsburgh, and Youngstown branch campuses. PIA teams have performed well in previous AMC competitions, including PIA Hagerstown winning the 2022 Clearance Control Valve & Bleed Valve Solenoid event sponsored by Pratt & Whitney.

“When it comes to selecting our team, we don’t just pick the most senior students or those with the most experience,” said Joseph DeRamo, PIA Youngstown campus director. “We like to send a team of students from various backgrounds who have a mix of different kinds of knowledge. Each member brings a different skill set to the group. They have been practicing after school twice a week and sometimes on Saturday in order to learn how best to support each other and work together.”

The AMC competition is presented by Snap-On. It is held at the McCormick Place in Chicago, in conjunction with MRO Americas.