In a visit to the KLM Operations Control Center, Aviation Maintenance Magazine editor-in-chief Joy Finnegan spoke with Boeing and KLM to learn about the RouteSync process and how it is working for the airline. Boeing has introduced a new tool called RouteSync that eliminates manual pre-flight processes for airlines by automating flight planning and performance…

Big data analytics is expanding from engines to all of aviation, as players gear up to compete in an arena viewed as critical to aftermarket success. But the technology is still evolving and not everybody is sold. “The majority of … players still are exploring ways to benefit from big data … that go beyond…

Flying Colours will be adding more than 140,000 square feet to its North American footprint as it continues an ambitious expansion and embarks on its largest infrastructure growth to date. Plans are currently being finalized for the groundbreaking of a brand-new hangar by the end of fall 2018 at the Peterborough, Ontario, Canada facility. The…

In this second part of our two-part series looking at European MROs, we turn our attention to Western Europe (see part one, focused on Eastern European MROs, in the June/July issue). Long-established MROs lead the vanguard of change and innovation not just in the region, but worldwide. Yet, challenges exist, including a lack of skilled…

Safety, efficiency and cost control are the triumvirate of goals for MRO businesses. As the aviation industry continues to see steady growth, repair stations and MROs must continuously look at aspects of their operation to see how it can be made safer, what processes can be streamlined, how efficiency can be improved and where savings…

As aircraft maintenance becomes more technical, MROs are increasing training in specialized areas to help differentiate themselves and provide improved services for their customers. Today’s MROs are faced with a bit of a dilemma: On one hand they are providing inspections and maintenance for a fleet of legacy aircraft. Many of which should have been…

The European MRO marketplace has grown and thrived. In our annual foray into the European market segment, we are taking a two-part look at the region. We start, in this first part, with a look at Eastern Europe. Next issue we will delve into the Western European segment. While the Eastern European MRO market is…

The urgent inspections of the CFM International CFM-56 resulting from the Southwest Flight 1390 uncontained engine failure which killed a passenger, focused the industry’s attention on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). But the workhorse GE engine is not the only one undergoing urgent ultrasonic inspections. The 380 Trent 1000 Package C engines are also undergoing inspections resulting…

Is the much-anticipated shortage of commercial aircraft mechanics going to impact the ability of the U.S. military to keep its combined fleets prepared If you’re involved in any way with aircraft operations and/or maintenance, you can’t help but have heard that we’re standing on the precipice of what many believe will be an industry-changing shortage…

Aircraft wiring is critical to safe flight as it supplies data/signals to critical avionics/flight equipment. The FAA has recognized the importance of wiring and created regulations for the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS). Two key factors have contributed to this increased focus: the aircraft fleet is aging and repeated flights can affect the integrity of…