CIRCOR Announces Partnership with FLYING WHALES for the LCA60T Program

CIRCOR International, a manufacturer and marketer of differentiated technology products and sub-systems, announced that its subsidiary CIRCOR Industrial has been chosen by FLYING WHALES, a pioneering aeronautical company, as its partner for the development and production of critical helium valves essential for the LCA60T airship. These valves facilitate the controlled release of helium from the airship’s cells as needed during operations. A total of twenty-eight such valves will be meticulously integrated into the airship’s helium cells.

This strategic collaboration is the culmination of an extensive and collaborative effort spanning over a year between the dedicated teams at CIRCOR and FLYING WHALES, culminating in the signing of the contract in February 2023. A crucial co-engineering phase in 2021 allowed for precise specification and alignment regarding this pivotal helium management component within the airship.

“We are delighted to seal this partnership with a major aeronautical industrial player. The proactivity of CIRCOR’s teams was decisive in our choice. For example, the creation of a scale model of the valve allowed us to anticipate the problems related to the size and optimization of the equipment,” explains Benoit Beaubier, program director at FLYING WHALES.

Furthermore, CIRCOR has been entrusted with providing a comprehensive integrated fuel distribution, storage, control, monitoring, and gauging system for the LCA60T turbine generators. The fuel management system will also be compatible with the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The collaboration discussions commenced in August 2021 to evaluate potential synergies for the fuel management system supply. Extensive dialogue and assessments led to the identification of optimizations to harness the innovations presented by CIRCOR. The proposal put forth by the CIRCOR team emerged as the most effective, ultimately resulting in the contract’s signing in September 2023.

Frédéric GREHAL, VP and general manager at CIRCOR, expresses pride and enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are really proud to be given the opportunity to be on board of such a disruptive project whose development represents a major step for us. All our employees are excited about it, and we have full support from our corporate.”

Image Caption: L-R: Mr Gréhal, VP General Manager of CIRCOR France, and Mr Guibout, Vice CEO of Flying Whales, signing the helium valve contract.

Lincoln Electric Launches Sprinter 180Si 

Lincoln Electric introduces the Sprinter 180Si stick welder. This versatile machine delivers superior arc performance for stick welding combined with advanced TIG functionality, all wrapped up in a portable, lightweight package, thanks to the newest inverter technology. 

The 180Si is designed with a maximum output of 180 amps to enable exceptional stick welding quality. Operators can weld up to 5/32-inch electrodes (6010/7018) and can even choose a dedicated 6010 mode for cellulosic stick electrodes. 

But the 180Si is more than just a stick welder. It also delivers 200 amps for TIG welding and offers a variety of advanced TIG features: 

  • Pulse mode with options ranging from .1-100 pulses per second 
  • A choice of high-frequency or lift start options at the push of a button 
  • TIG-ready capabilities with an 8-pin connector for foot pedals, hand amptrols and other devices  

The 180Si is also portable and versatile. Weighing in at less than 20 pounds, it goes anywhere easily and the dual-input voltage enables the operator to plug into any common power supply. Once it’s up and running, the simple user interface provides an easy-to-read seven-segment display and easy push-button controls. And it all packs up neatly in an ergonomically designed case with a handle and shoulder strap that make it easier to carry and move – around the shop or to any location. 

Stick or TIG, in the shop or on the move, the Sprinter 180Si is ideal for welders of every kind – home hobbyist, professional, or both. And it’s ready for every type of work – maintenance and repair, farm, light industrial, shipbuilding and more. 

Get out and run with the Sprinter 180Si stick welder. 

ExecuJet MRO Services Making Western Australia a Center of Excellence for Embraer Executive Jets

ExecuJet MRO Services Australia’s Perth site is introducing maintenance services for Embraer business jets within Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region. The Perth facility is now an Embraer Authorized Service Center.

Support will begin with Embraer Legacy 600 and 650 business jets. The Perth facility has invested
in the tooling and training to support these aircraft. “With proximity to Southeast Asia, it made sense to make Perth one of our centres of excellence for Embraer aircraft,” says Grant Ingall, VP Australasia at ExecuJet MRO Services. The facility expects significant business as Embraer models are popular across the region.

ExecuJet MRO Services Australia, including its maintenance center at Perth Airport, is approved
by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), U. S. FAA as well as the civil aviation authorities for Bermuda, Cayman Islands, San Marino, Vietnam, and Indonesia to do airframe heavy maintenance checks on Embraer aircraft.

“Southeast Asia is a key market for us and a focus of our outreach,” says Ingall, adding that the
company has some staff who are fluent in multiple languages. ExecuJet MRO Services Australia’s Melbourne and Sydney facilities have been Embraer Authorized Service Centres (ASCs) since 2010. Being an ASC means we manage Embraer Executive Care and Warranty claims for spare parts and labour directly with Embraer.

Trax Announces Agreement with Archer Aviation


Trax announced that it has entered into an agreement with leading electric aviation  company, Archer Aviation. Archer will leverage Trax’s web-based enterprise eMRO system and eMobility apps and Trax’s cloud hosting services to manage its planned electric air taxi operations. 

Trax’s advanced, modular, web-based solution for aviation maintenance and supply chain management will enable Archer’s real-time administration of production, planning, engineering, inventory, technical records, orders, and reliability processes. Operating in Trax’s secure, reliable, and paperless environment will support Archer’s goals to quickly build a safe, efficient, nimble, compliant and high performing air taxi operation.  

The relationship with Archer expands Trax’s global customer base to include the electric aviation market and holds potential for growth as electric aviation matures and Archer’s air taxi service takes flight.

“Trax will allow Archer to safely and efficiently scale deployment of our electric air taxi service.  Implementation of Trax is a key building block of our operational ecosystem and will provide our technical operations team and pilots an industry leading system to manage the operation,” said Archer’s COO of Urban Air Mobility, Tom Anderson. 

“Trax is pleased to partner with Archer, a leader in the emerging electric aviation aftermarket,” said Andrew Schmidt, Trax’s executive vice president. “Trax’s eMRO and eMobility products will enable Archer’s air taxi service to be completely paperless on day-one and help the company achieve its goals through operational efficiency, streamlined processes, and a highly productive workforce.”

Clark International Airport Targeting Aerospace Companies

The Philippines has launched a campaign encouraging global aerospace companies to establish facilities at Clark International Airport to serve the Asia region and global market. The companies it is targeting includes maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firms, aerospace manufacturers, fixed based operators (FBO), business aviation companies, original equipment makers (OEMs), cargo airlines, logistics companies, regional and international airlines, training organisations and so on.

The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP) and Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) have come together
for the campaign and will be jointly exhibiting at the Philippine Aviation Pavilion (Hall C
Booth C-E81) at the Singapore Airshow (20-25 February).

Berthaphil Inc, a key stakeholder and pioneer investor and developer in the Clark Freeport
and at Clark International Airport, is also part of the Philippine Aviation Pavilion. Berthaphil
has over 25 years’ experience and is the leading property developer in the Clark Freeport. It
has already completed 12 real estate developments there, including the airport’s first
bonded warehouse and logistics center.

The company is offering a vacant 10-hectare airfield site, with primary runway access, which
is immediately available ‘as is’ or for a build-to-suit project. Berthaphil is now actively
promoting this site to aerospace companies around the world. Clark International Airport is within the Clark Freeport trade zone, so businesses there can receive incentives and favourable tax concessions – up to a seven-year tax holiday and then a 5% corporate income tax rate.

Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK, ICAO: RPLC) is an international gateway to Asia and
capable of handling the largest widebody aircraft. The airport has a 3,200m-long (10,500 ft)
and 60m-wide (196 ft) primary runway. It also has the tallest air traffic control tower and
the newest international airport terminal building in the Philippines with capacity of up to
80 million passengers per year.

The airport is 43.2 nautical miles (80.0 km; 49.7 miles) northwest of Manila, and is accessible
to Manila via the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX). A new passenger and cargo rail system
is due to open in 2025.

“Besides world-class airport infrastructure, a strategic location within Asia’s burgeoning
aviation market and a favorable business environment; another key strength of Clark
International Airport as an aerospace center, is the Philippines’ skilled and qualified
workforce,” said Michael Herman, Berthaphil chairman.

“Building a hangar, for example, doesn’t mean you have a MRO business. The key to having
a successful MRO organization is having the skilled and qualified maintenance engineers and
technicians, which is what the Philippines has,” said Herman.

“It is no secret that many of the qualified maintenance engineers and technicians working in
places such as Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East are Filipinos. Any aerospace
company that establishes itself at Clark has a huge pool of internationally certified talent it
can draw up both locally and from overseas,” added Herman.

MRO organizations that have already established operations at Clark include SIA
Engineering, which does airframe maintenance there. There is also Hong Kong’s MetroJet
which maintains business jets at Clark. And, it is a global gateway for UPS, DHL and FedEx.

“We are honored that leading government agencies and prominent figures in the
Philippines’ aviation industry – such as the Secretary of Transportation for the Philippine
Department of Transportation (DOTr), Jaime Bautista; Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP), director general, Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayao; and Clark International
Airport Corporation president, Arrey Perez; as well as senior representatives from the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI ), Bases Conversion Development Authority and
Clark Development Corporation – will be attending the Singapore Airshow and helping to
promote Philippines aviation and Clark International Airport as a centre for aerospace,” said
Herman.

“Their presence at the Philippine Aviation Pavilion demonstrates that we are all committed
to Clark’s success and aviation business success in the Philippines. Together we look forward
to meeting industry partners and future potential partners at the show. In the Philippines
we say: ‘One PH Aviation – Together We Fly’. Come join us at The Singapore Airshow: Hall C
Booth C-E81 on February 20 at 2pm for the Dignitaries’ Reception and opportunity to meet,”
he added.

Aurion Develops Clean-Tech Machining

Aurion Machining Technologies has developed new technology using ionized air as a trailblazing clean-tech alternative for metal working fluids and emulsions in parts manufacturing. Ionized air helps achieve high quality machining results — and it is safe for employees and environmentally friendly
Aurion technology is fully compliant with modern sustainability regulations which require end-to-end clean-tech solutions. Aurion says the technology is the response to increasing concern that metalworking fluids contribute significant carbon emissions on global basis

Disposal of used cutting fluids causes environmental contamination. Global annual consumption of cutting fluids is estimated to exceed two billion liters — although the actual amount of cutting fluids waste is assumed to be up to 10 times higher, as most fluids are diluted before their use. Cutting fluid treatment and their release to the environment leads to significant oxygen depletion and nutrient destruction in surface waters.

Aurion Technology

The core of the Aurion technology is in the ionized air which generates an electrochemical process resulting in electron loss and atomic level transformation of Aurion gas medium at the cutting surface. The electrochemical process acts as a dry lubricant in the cutting process, penetrating the cutting zone and optimising the interaction between the tool edge and the workpiece. This process accelerates oxide layer formation and significantly reduces the friction, thermal stress and tool wear.

The Aurion system consists of three components – ionizer, controller and air-cooling unit. The system is connected to the factory compressed air network and machinery CNC. There is no need for any special safety precautions as ionized air pressure remains at 2 – 3 bar and temperature in the -10°C to +10°C during machining operations.

Aurion technology is the result of years of industrial research and development work. Its technical properties have been proven in thorough tests conducted by authoritative institutions and industrial partners. Most recently the respected Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) of the University of Sheffield in England achieved excellent results in titanium milling trials.

Economically Compelling Solution

Aurion reduces manufacturing costs and cutting lead times in workshop processes. Thousands of validation runs have proven that Aurion technology delivers at least the same machining quality and performance as cutting fluids – measured by cutting speed, tool life and surface quality. Ionized clean air is safe for its operators and the relevant machinery and meets the highest standards for workpiece residuals.

Easy to Use and Integrate

Aurion technology is suitable for all machining applications and materials. It is easy to integrate to both existing and new machines, either by using the external piping to the cutting zone or by using existing coolant channels in standard toolholders and tools.

High integration flexibility and the possibility to use existing machine tool features minimises the up-front investment and limits the transition costs for introduction of the Aurion technology. The payback for the Aurion system is typically three to six months.

Aurion adaptation is moving to full industrial scale – Join for the journey

Following years of development work, Aurion is now ready for full scale industrial use. Attracted by the recent positive tests and validation runs, a number of high-quality manufacturers are engaged as partners in the next steps of the Aurion journey to transform their profitability and accelerate their carbon net zero plans.

PPG Adds Two Adhesives to Aerospace Product Portfolio

PPG announced that it has added two adhesives to its aerospace portfolio: PPG PR-2940 epoxy syntactic paste adhesive (ESPA) for bonding the internal structures of an aircraft; and PPG PR-2936, an adhesive that incorporates the properties of a shim and sealant for attaching the outer skin of an aircraft to the internal structures.

“We are excited to add these adhesive technologies to our product offering,” said Sean Purdy, PPG global director, coatings and sealants, Aerospace. “They will provide our aerospace customers with significant performance benefits as well as sustainability advantages through lightweighting.”

PPG PR-2940 ESPA adhesive is a lightweight potting compound used by both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MROs) customers on secondary aircraft structures. It fills and reinforces the honeycomb structures used to manufacture an aircraft’s internal components, including the inner wing structure, galley, lavatories, overhead bins and flooring.

PPG PR-2936 adhesive is used by OEMs to attach the metallic or composite skin of an aircraft to the internal structures of the fuselage, tail assembly, wings and stabilizers. This epoxy-based adhesive cures at ambient temperatures and is designed to fill gaps or irregularities between the surfaces of the primary and secondary structures. It combines outstanding mechanical strength with flexibility and microcracking resistance across a wide operating temperature window.

“Sustainability is a key priority across PPG, including new product innovations,” said Daniel Sydes, PPG global product manager, adhesives, Aerospace. “These new adhesives offer improved chemistries and low-density properties while maintaining a high strength-to-weight ratio that aids in increasing the fuel efficiency of aircraft.”

Airbus UpNext Flight Demonstrator Successfully Executes AI-based Navigation and Cooperative Control Using CoreAVI’s SafeAI Software Suite

Airbus has announced a successful flight test of their Auto’Mate (autonomous in-flight refueling) demonstrator utilizing CoreAVI’s GPU accelerated AI software stack, including VkCore SC and ComputeCore. The Airbus Auto’Mate represents a significant industry milestone by demonstrating Autonomous Assets Air to Air Refuelling operations flying with three manned drones Airbus DT-25s, and two more digital twins, under the control of an A310 MRTT tanker using an advanced navigation suite, including AI-based detection and cooperative control technologies.

Designed from the ground up for safety certification, CoreAVI’s Safe AI software suite includes
ComputeCore as well as VkCore SC. VkCore SC is a Vulkan SC implementation enabling
low-level high-performance compute acceleration, and ComputeCore is CoreAVI’s AI/ML
acceleration library providing APIs for BLAS, FFT, and a neural network inference engine
implementing The Khronos Group’s NNEF format. The building block nature of CoreAVI’s tools
and libraries provide scalable performance and capabilities making it easily expandable to meet
a wide range of compute algorithms.

“This Auto’mate flight demonstration marks a major success milestone for the growing
partnership between CoreAVI and Airbus for paving the future of AI-based airborne product
developments and certifications. This is the first time that Airbus has ever executed an AI flight
test that’s using a fully certifiable stack for autonomous air-to-air refuelling based on controlling
and guiding multiple drones from the Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft,” said Dan Joncas,
deputy CEO at CoreAVI. “The value of Safe AI to airborne platforms cannot be overstated as it
enhances safety, reliability, efficiency while reducing pilot workload, training costs, and
ensuring more effective operations, especially in situations with low visibility. We’re happy to
work with a future-focused technology leader like Airbus to ensure the best in AI technology is
available to all integrators of safety critical systems.”

“Bringing state-of-the-art GPU compute capabilities to our product portfolio will allow us to
evolve and create new capabilities that put us on the forefront of military aviation technology,”
said David Pérez Amenabar, air refueling software innovation manager at Airbus Defence &
Space. “This successful technology deployment paves the way for a future where parallelization
enables numerous new data intensive applications. AI technology will be quintessential in the
future of our industry and CoreAVI’s SafeAI stack has proven to be an exceptional enabler for
these integrations. This particular iteration demonstrates our commitment to the future mosaic warfare and unmanned/manned aircraft teaming; we are ready for Autonomous Operation and
committed to developing the most capable interoperable system of systems for air
dominance.”

AEPA Seeks Congressional Legislation to Address Workforce Challenges 

The Aerospace Education Program Alliance (AEPA) is urging industry to support the enactment of legislation that would, for the first time, bring government, industry and education together to address critical shortages in the aviation and aerospace workforce. Support for the Aerospace Workforce Development Program would grow the workforce and increase access for those interested in aviation/aerospace careers.

The organization, which arose out of the Youth Access to Aviation Jobs in America Task Force, is urging aviation, aerospace and defense companies and associations to support the Aerospace Workforce Development Program which is on the cusp of being introduced in Congress. 

“While educational funding for aviation/aerospace education is a major issue for aerospace education programs, funding alone will not solve the workforce problem,” said AEPA CEO Dr. Ralph K. Coppola, in describing the reason behind the initiative. “The key to solving the workforce problem is a developing a process to focus resources on the programs that are successfully addressing the workforce issue.”

The Aerospace Workforce Development Program has two parts. (1) Modification of Department of Defense aerospace contracts to include aerospace education programs as subcontractors; and (2) Establish an Aerospace Education Program List on the DoD website where companies will find effective education programs to partner with and invest in as subcontractors. The list will rank aerospace education programs based on their contribution to the workforce.

The legislation grew out of the Congressionally mandated youth task force. To be eligible for education subcontracts, aerospace education organizations must show that they are effective in addressing workforce shortages in pilot, aircraft maintenance, aerospace engineering, manufacturing and other technically related fields. 

The proposed legislation is the second, industry-wide initiative bringing task force recommendations to fruition with the first being the creation of AEPA itself. 

AEPA is asking Aviation, Aerospace and Defense companies and organizations to join more than 20 organizations and businesses who have already signed on to a letter supporting this program which is below.

To view the letter click here

To support the introduction of this legislation: Click the link to the Google form to add your organization’s name to the letter. https://forms.gle/Ag5rJW4e5LNPTeRy7

Service Electrical Vehicles Safely with the New Electric Vehicle General Maintenance Kit from Snap-on Industrial

The new Electric Vehicle General Maintenance Kit from Snap-on Industrial provides technicians with all the hand tools they need to service electric vehicles safely and reliably.

The Electric Vehicle General Maintenance Kit (EVTECHCARTO) contains an assortment of 270 hand tools, which are composite in design to prevent electricity from reaching the technician’s hand, ensuring excellent protection without compromising on performance. Composite tools are IEC60900 compliant; composite sockets and extensions are UL rated. 

The kit also includes a toolbox and tool control foam. The Electric Orange Roll Cart (KRSC46HPJK) comes with six 35” wide drawers and a top compartment housed in a one-piece fully welded box designed to hold 120 pounds per drawer (240 pounds with double sides). The top compartment stores a battery charger and can be used as a charging station while locked. Additionally, every tool has a specific place in the box, thanks to pre-cut foam for maximum organization, tool identification, inventory, and storage. 

Tool assortment includes:

  • Composite 3/8” metric sockets from 8mm to 19mm
  • Chrome 6-point 1/4″ sockets, shallow and deep from 4mm to 15mm
  • Chrome 6-point 3/8” sockets, shallow and deep from 6mm to 21mm
  • Composite ring- and open-ended wrenches from 6mm to 19mm
  • Flank drive 12-point combination wrenches from 6mm to 23mm
  • Composite pliers
  • Composite hex keys from 3mm to 12mm
  • 1/4″ torque wrench rated from 15-300 in-lbs.
  • Digital hybrid multimeter
  • 12V DC circuit tester