Category: Intel News

Marshall Aerospace is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of its first office in Canada. The office is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The company’s presence in Canada is supporting the country’s growing aerospace industry, and in 2014, Marshall purchased a 4,343ft2 building, also in Abbotsford, to accommodate up to 35 personnel; the majority of which are engineers and technical staff. The Abbotsford office has subsequently become Marshall’s HQ in Canada. Steve Fitz-Gerald, CEO of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, comments: “The provision of in-country support is very much a Marshall strength, and we have a proven track record of collaborating with military and commercial organizations to deliver quantifiable end-user benefits.” Marshall holds extensive airworthiness accreditations, granted by a variety of military and commercial regulatory authorities, aerospace companies and defence organisations, including Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND). Of particular relevance to Marshall’s presence in Canada is the company’s extensive experience with the Hercules C-130 platform. To date, the company has worked on more than 300 C-130s, for 52 customers in 33 countries.

Gulfstream has expanded its support of customers based in and traveling through Greater London by adding line maintenance and aircraft-on-ground services at London Stansted Airport.
Gulfstream’s resources at Stansted include technicians and support personnel, dedicated hangar space at Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd.’s maintenance facility and access to Inflite’s state-of- the-art fixed-based operator services. Gulfstream has also repositioned its custom-outfitted Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) mobile repair vehicle to Stansted from Gulfstream Luton, its service center approximately 55 miles/89 kilometers away at London Luton Airport.
“We’ve added more depth to the services we already offer in one of the world’s busiest business jet hubs,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, president, Gulfstream Product Support . “Stansted’s main role will be to support Gulfstream Luton when that site is near capacity. It also gives operators an additional option for maintenance.”

Lufthansa Technik AG and Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad have signed a Terms of Reference in Kuala Lumpur on a strategic partnership framework for a joint venture (JV) to establish a regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility. The MRO facility, planned for 2017, would be based at Malaysia Airlines’ existing facilities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and service the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family of aircraft.
The JV is expected to introduce state-of-the- art technical capabilities for base maintenance services and best practices in operations, creating a centre of excellence for the region.
“We are excited about the tangible benefits of the JV. Lufthansa Technik is one of the global leaders in MRO services, and the level of skill, expertise and technological transfer will be invaluable, both for us and for Malaysia”, said Christoph Mueller, the Group CEO of Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad and Malaysia Airlines Berhad, when commenting on the joint venture.
“Once this new joint venture becomes true, we will extend significantly our MRO capabilities in one of the most emerging markets worldwide,” explained Dr. Johannes Bussmann (left), the CEO of Lufthansa Technik. “With Malaysia Airlines at our side we will have a strong regional partner to create a real success story with this new business.”
The formation of the JV will be subject to, inter alia, approvals from the competent regulatory authorities and the signing of definitive agreements.

West Star Aviation announced they will be expanding their KCHA location to feature a full service maintenance hangar and a state-of-the-art paint facility in addition to their Grand Junction, CO and East Alton, IL locations. The announcement was made at their KCHA open house event in May.
West Star’s Chattanooga location will begin construction on the 13 acres allocated for expansion in the fourth quarter of 2016 with anticipated completion in fourth quarter 2017.
This expansion is designed to allow West Star to create a state-of-the-art paint facility similar to what is featured at their Grand Junction, GJT location which opened in 2015. It will feature 45,000 sq. ft. of space to be able to meet all paint needs including that of Global Express, G550, and Embraer Legacy 600 .
“West Star is well-known industry wide for our specialization in the repair and maintenance of airframes, windows, engines, as well as inspections and major modifications. Our CHA location will continue in the state-of- the-art facility footsteps of our other locations and offer avionics installation, repair, interior and refurbishment,” said Bob Rasberry, CEO, West Star Aviation.
Our plan to build an onsite world class paint facility gives us a third location able to handle all aspects of MRO support service for our customers. We are excited about this growth milestone and look forward to having a third one-stop maintenance shop to better serve our customers,” said Rodger Renaud, president, West Star Aviation.

Jet Aviation Basel launched its 3D application, JetVision, recently. The company says JetVision provides their clients with a secure way to interact with the facility and visually manage their completions projects.
The company says the app helps put completions in the client’s control. The app provides virtual access to a project from anywhere in the world, removing the traditional geographical limitations and challenges of project management.
3D visuals give depictions of design and engineering before the first part is built. It also offers secure progress reports, images, video and keeps a client in the loop. When the aircraft is in service, interactive and intuitive interior maintenance and spare parts support are all easily accessible in-app.
“Over recent years, Jet Aviation has made significant use of 3D technology, from Design to Engineering, Production and Installation,” says Neil Boyle, senior vice president and general manager, Jet Aviation Basel Completions Center. “Complementing traditional paper-based 2D documentation, we are now in a position to give a client vivid 3D content that accurately depicts a project’s evolution.”

TrueChoice, a suite of engine maintenance offerings for the commercial aviation industry from GE Aviation, Services was unveiled in April. GE says the program emphasizes their breadth and depth of capabilities and customization across the entire engine lifecycle.
“The TrueChoice brand reflects the foundation of our services business,” said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of GE Aviation, Services. “True represents our commitment to our airline, lessor and MRO customers to continually invest in product and services technology throughout the engine lifecycle.
“Choice belongs to our customers, who are at the heart of our offerings,” he continued. “Choice reflects our unparalleled scope of offerings for customers, and GE’s tailored services options for each customers’ unique and evolving needs across the entire engine lifecycle. It also speaks to our long-standing support of MRO choice in which customers have the freedom to choose among GE, GE-licensed, or fully independent, third-party maintenance providers.”
The TrueChoice suite includes four families of products and services offerings. TrueChoice Flight Hour consisting of customized offerings that help optimize cost of ownership over the entire lifecycle with flexible risk transfer and payment options. TrueChoice Overhaul which is a time and material overhaul option with tailored workscopes specific to shop visit objectives, economic priorities and ownership horizon. TrueChoice Material which encompasses new and used OEM parts, repairs and technology upgrades for airlines and MROs. And TrueChoice Transitions, a range of options for changing ownership, including green time leases, exchanges and material buy-back, plus custom workscopes with shorter builds and maximum used material.
For lessors, GE offers products specifically designed to accommodate a change in owner or operator.
GE Aviation say they will use their emerging capability and experience with data analytics to offer insights in each of the TrueChoice offerings with the goal of a reduced maintenance burden and fewer service disruptions for customers.
“Big Data is transforming our business,” McAllister said. “It combines our depth of aviation product knowledge with rapidly growing digital capabilities. This marriage of physics and analytics is delivering better customer outcomes faster.”

Eric Strafel has been named president and CEO of Aviall, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. Previously Strafel served as vice president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security Autonomous Systems for Boeing Military Aircraft.
“Eric brings 20 years of leadership experience back to Aviall,” said Lynne Hopper, vice president Material Services within Boeing Commercial Airplane’s Commercial Aviation Services. “He understands its core values, embraces the Aviall culture and shares Aviall’s long tradition and passion for customer service. Eric is a proven leader, and his experience in international operations and general, business, defense and commercial aviation align very well with Aviall’s strategic focus.”
“I am honored to have been selected as Aviall’s president and CEO. It is a privilege once again to be part of an organization that delivers the industry’s highest quality products, services and innovative solutions to more than 26,000 customers and invests in developing the most talented team members in aviation,” said Strafel. “We are an organization led by an 84-year-old purpose of ‘proudly keeping the world in flight.’ I will do my best to serve our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners and customers by strengthening our team members’ ability to fulfill that purpose.”
Previous to his role at Autonomous Systems, Strafel was the senior vice president for Operations & Business Development at Aviall. In that role, he had executive leadership responsibility for Aviall’s commercial and defense operations, including demand planning, procurement, warehouse operations, global quality and the Lean Six Sigma program.
Before his roles of increasing responsibility at Aviall, Strafel was the vice president of Supply Chain Management for L3 Communications and held leadership positions with Honeywell International, Precision Conversions, and United Technologies. His international assignments included responsibilities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Strafel holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Binghamton University. He also is a member of the USA Leadership Corps, a national volunteer- based strategy consulting group that caters to the needs of emerging small businesses and nonprofits.
William Ampofo has been named senior vice president, global operations and supply chain for Aviall, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. In this role, Ampofo will have leadership responsibility for operations, supply chain, capital facilities, quality and the chemicals management business.
Ampofo comes to Aviall from United Technologies Corporation (UTC) and brings more than 22 years of aerospace experience, having held roles with increasing responsibility in finance, information technology, corporate strategy and operations at Pratt &Whitney, Sikorsky, and Corporate HQ. Most recently, William served as vice president, Supply Chain Commodity & Cost Management for UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS) and was responsible for driving sourcing and cost reduction strategies across its $5B supply chain.
“William’s extensive management experience will be leveraged to bring continued supply chain innovations and operational effectiveness in delivering value to our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners and customers,” said Aviall President and CEO Eric Strafel.
Ampofo has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Adelphi University, an MBA from George Washington University and has completed executive education coursework at both University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and INSEAD.

Alexandre de Juniac, chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, has received a recommendation from the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become the next director general and CEO of the organization. Alexandre de Juniac indicated he would accept the proposal, which is due to be discussed at the IATA general meeting 1-3 June 2016.
The Air France-KLM Group’s Board of Directors has prepared a plan to appoint a successor to de Juniac, given his imminent appointment. According to the Air France-KLM Board’s internal rules, the Air France-KLM Appointments and Governance Committee – with the help of an international recruitment consultancy – has initiated the process of identifying the best executive able to continue the Group’s consolidation and development.
Alexandre de Juniac will be the first person coming from a French airline to lead IATA. “I would like to thank all those at Air France-KLM who, for almost five years now, have been fully committed to achieving together our recovery and restoring the conditions for growth,” de Juniac says. “Working for Air France-KLM is a source of great pride. I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities until I hand over to my successor at the end of July, and I will continue to defend air transport and all airlines – including Air France-KLM – in my new role. On the strength of the skills of its teams, the prestige of its brands and of its European roots, Air France-KLM has all the qualities it needs to compete with the world’s leading airlines.” In a statement released by the company, members of the Air France-KLM Group’s Board of Directors extended a tribute to “the outstanding work of Alexandre de Juniac in achieving the Group’s economic and financial recovery, enhancing its range of services and winning back customers. The Air France-KLM Board is delighted that these accomplishments have been recognized in the confidence of the IATA Board of Governors’ recommendation for Alexandre de Juniac to lead their global association.”

HAECO Americas announced recently that CEO and Group Director Cabin Solutions Kevin Carter will be resigning his position effective the end of May 2016, and Richard Kendall, current deputy CEO HAECO Americas, will take his place at that time. Carter has agreed to continue in a non-executive, senior advisory role to the company through the end of November 2016, to ensure a smooth transition.
Carter has been CEO of HAECO Americas (formerly TIMCO Aviation Services) since 2008 and was also appointed group director Cabin Solutions, the HAECO Group’s aircraft interiors business, in 2015. Previously, he had served as TIMCO’s CFO from 2005 to 2008. During his time with the company, he helped manage a significant financial turnaround and led the launch of a growing aircraft interiors division.
Kendall was appointed deputy CEO of HAECO Americas in 2015, and has already been handling many leadership responsibilities for the company’s MRO and aircraft interiors business. Previously, he was director and general manager of Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited, a sister company in the HAECO Group specializing in aircraft engine MRO. Prior to that appointment, Kendall held other management positions within the Swire Group, the parent company of HAECO.
“We are sad to see Kevin leave and have appreciated his many achievements,” Augustus Tang, HAECO Group CEO, said. “HAECO Americas is regarded by its customers and partners as a market leader in each of the sectors in which it competes – a position attained through no small effort on Kevin’s part. I wish him success in his future endeavors. I am confident that, under Richard’s experienced leadership, HAECO Americas will continue to grow from strength to strength. Kevin’s agreement to stay onboard in an advisory role will also help assure a smooth transition as we continue to focus on growing aircraft support for our customer base worldwide.”

ATR recently introduced the Smart Galley, a new galley concept developed by ATR in response to the needs and expectations of the airline community. ATR says the new Smart Galley features an increased storage capacity while offering greater operational flexibility due to its quick and easy reconfiguration. This new concept allows operators to improve aircraft efficiency by saving weight and space in the aircraft cabin.
The first Smart Galley will be installed on Lion Air’s regional airline Wings Air ATR 72-600, scheduled for delivery in May 2016. The new equipment will be available for line-fit installation as well as for retrofit on the fleet in-ser
Additionally, ATR and the France-based aircraft seat manufacturer Expliseat have signed a buyer-furnished equipment (BFE) agreement for the supply of a new ATR aircraft seat type, the titanium seat. ATR says the agreement enables customers and operators to have a broader choice when configuring their aircraft cabin layouts.
The new titanium seat allows operators to save up to 300 kg/661 pounds as compared to current ATR-600 series cabin configuration. The new seats will enable fuel savings and enhance payload capacity and operational flexibility at short runways or at hot and high environments. In addition, the new seats feature only 30 parts per seat, thereby reducing maintenance costs. The titanium seats are provided as an option for new aircraft, and are also available for all ATR aircraft types in retrofit.
Air Tahiti is the launch customer of the seats, with an entry into service of the titanium seats on a retrofitted ATR aircraft in May 2016. The seats will be available on new ATR aircraft produced at the ATR manufacturing plant by the end of the year.
David Brigante, ATR’s Senior vice-president Procurement highlighted that “the aim is to provide our operators with a broader scope of customization possibilities. The signature of this contract perfectly fits into our philosophy of continuous improvement of our aircraft, its performances and the services we bring to the 200 airlines operating ATRs worldwide.