Category: Rotor

Empire Screen Highlights Wide Range of Warning, Danger and Safety Decals

Empire Screen Printing, a leading manufacturer of screen-printed products, highlights its warning, danger, and safety decals that keep people safe by warning them of potential hazards. The application of these products is in line with Empire’s own commitment to the safety of its employees, with its proven safety record as an organization.

These warning, danger, and safety decals are compliant with a range of standards, including ANSI, UL, CUL, RoHS, Prop 65, and REACH. This allows organizations to promote a safe working environment across a range of industry verticals, from OEM and sporting goods to medical device and electronics manufacturers. They come in multiple languages, allowing them to be employed by organizations across the world.

The decals are offered in custom shapes and sizes. They are created from a variety of materials, including vinyl, polycarbonate, and polyesters, as well as rigid materials, such as aluminum, and Sintra. Sintra, a lightweight PVC board that is waterproof and unaffected by heat and weather conditions, is particularly ideal for outdoor and indoor signage. The decals are printed via screen, flexo, or digital output.

Easy to peel and apply, with a wide range of materials and printing methods, organizations can choose the option that best fits the specific application they have in mind. These can be indoor and outdoor applications including everything from equipment warning decals, product safety labels, hazardous warning decals, and signage. Some customers also dome their decals to provide extra protection and scratch resistance.

Empire itself has a commitment to safety across its organization, with its safety committee established in 2005. The organization provides CPR and First Aid Training, and has a record number of days with no loss time accidents, specifically, 1,437. Empire’s recent safety awards include the 2020 EHS Safety Standout Awards and M3 Insurance Nominee Letter for the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year. This experience gives Empire a deep appreciation for the value of warning, danger, and safety decals, which play a crucial role in keeping people safe.

Textron Supports AOPA You Can Fly High School Aviation Stem Curriculum with $1 Million Donation

The AOPA Foundation announced a $1 million donation from Textron in support of the AOPA You Can Fly initiative and its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. The gift will enable You Can Fly to further introduce high school students to rewarding career opportunities in aviation through the free curriculum that will help ensure a bright future for general aviation.

The You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Curriculum currently engages more than 12,000 students in  44 states – in all four high school grades. The unique program is positioned to address a well-documented and looming aviation workforce shortage in the United States Boeing Co. report suggests a need for 612,000 new pilots and 626,000 new maintenance technicians over the next 20 years.

“We are grateful to our friends at Textron for their tremendous support as we work together to grow the general aviation community, and help young people from all backgrounds discover the incredible opportunities available in aviation and aerospace,” said Elizabeth Tennyson, senior vice president of the AOPA Foundation and You Can Fly. “The You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Curriculum is a true win-win: it addresses one of the most pressing issues facing the entire aviation industry, and it puts high school students on a solid track to rewarding careers.”

The gift was announced on behalf of Textron and its business units by Scott C. Donnelly, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Textron Inc.  ”As a company with a long history in aviation and a family of iconic aviation brands, we’re very excited to be a part of the AOPA Foundation’s You Can Fly program and expand its reach to even more high school students across the country,” Donnelly said. “This program is a terrific way to encourage young people to learn more about aviation and expose them to an array of career opportunities – whether as a pilot, an engineer or in aircraft operations.”

The first of its kind high school curriculum, including instructional and assessment resources, is developed and continually enhanced by an expert team composed of veteran teachers, curriculum professionals, pilots and flight instructors. The courses are designed to capture the imagination and give students from diverse backgrounds the tools to pursue advanced education and careers in aviation fields. The curriculum, video-based professional development, and ongoing teacher and program support are provided to schools free of charge.

The program, launched nationwide in the 2017-2018 school year, recently celebrated its first graduates, 58% of whom reported that they plan to pursue aviation-related careers in fields such as piloting, aerospace engineering, and maintenance. The You Can Fly team is especially proud that 40% of students in the program come from minority backgrounds, 21% are female, and 54% attend mid-to-high-poverty schools. The initiative directly supports AOPA’s goal to increase inclusion in aviation.

The High School STEM Curriculum is one pillar of You Can Fly, whose mission is to get more pilots in the skies and keep them there safely.  You Can Fly also supports the development of flying clubs to keep flying accessible and affordable; encourages best practices in flight training; and helps lapsed pilots to get back in the air.

You Can Fly is funded by charitable donations to the AOPA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.

StandardAero Opens Two New Rolls-Royce Approved Facilities Dedicated to Servicing RR300 Helicopter Engines

StandardAero has announced the addition of two new approved facilities for Rolls-Royce RR300 helicopter engine MRO. With this new expanded capability, the company is now able to service this engine type for Robinson R66 helicopter operators in Westminster, British Columbia and Concord, North Carolina in addition to its existing facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba , Portsmouth U.K. and Singapore. 

While RR300 MRO will now take place at the two new facilities, engine testing capabilities will remain at our locations in Winnipeg, Portsmouth and Dallas. StandardAero also services helicopter engine LRU’s including Fuel Control Units, PT Governors, Fuel Pumps and Starter Generators at its Portsmouth, Hialeah, Florida and Broomfield, Colorado locations.

In addition to its repair and overhaul capabilities, StandardAero says it maintains a pool of engines, modules and accessories for quick exchange services. The company has also made new investments in lease assets and say it feels “well positioned to service this growing market.” 

“StandardAero is pleased to expand our global MRO services for RR300 engines and adding capabilities in Western Canada and the U.S. Eastern coast significantly extends our geographic reach for servicing North American Operators,” said Cory Waldmo, director of Customer Service for StandardAero Helicopters business unit. “We look forward to continuing to provide the industry’s best engine MRO services for RR300 operators around the world.”

MD Receives FAA Approval for MD 500E “Slimline” Glass Cockpit

MD Helicopters (MDHI) has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to install a new “slimline” advanced glass cockpit that modernizes the MD500E platform for increased visibility and field of view.

The slimline cockpit is now standard in all new MD500E aircraft and includes four inches of additional visibility on both sides of the instrument panel when compared to the traditional configuration. The modernized design features the Garmin G500H TXiTM dual touch-screen integrated display system with screens serving as Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD).

Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology (HSVTTM) and Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) capabilities are also available via the Garmin G500H TXiTM. Dual Howell Instruments displays serve as the Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS), while the liquid crystal display Garmin GTNTM 650H provides navigation and communication functions, while also including moving map for airway and approach procedures.

“We have put considerable effort into listening to our customers these past two years; increasing visibility and field of view, and modernization of the cockpit was a common request,” says Jason Lindauer, vice president business development and Aftermarket. “The slimline configuration received significant positive feedback at HAI HELI-EXPO 2022, from every category of operator.” The company will be installing the slimline glass cockpit into their training aircraft, providing the most current training opportunities for every operator.

XL Aero Receives Structural Repair Approval  for Bell 205/212/412 Main Transmission Case

XL Aerospace has received Transport Canada (TC) approval for the repair of the Main Transmission Casing applicable to Bell Helicopter 205, 212 and 412 Helicopter models. 

Tim Blaskovich President and DAR for XL Aero states that his company recently completed a test and certification program for a structural repair of the Bell Helicopter model 205/212/412 Main Transmission Case.  
‘This repair design has received Transport Canada (TC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval; using XL Aero’s patented Additive Friction Stir Deposition process,’ explains Blaskovich.  

The specialized process represents a significant advancement in the repair of structural components, particularly in repairs involving metals that are non-compatible with fusion-based processes. XL Aero’s proprietary process was incorporated as part of the overall transmission case repair work scope, as it is capable of using magnesium and it successfully achieves the necessary bonding and material density. 
‘In fact,’ Blaskovich states; ‘the testing program used by XL Aero in qualifying the repair demonstrated that the final deposit exhibits a tensile strength equivalent to the magnesium substrate.’

Having established the processes, controls and the resulting structural characteristics of the repair, XL Aero is working to expand the application of its Additive Friction Stir Deposition process to additional aeronautical parts repairs over the coming months. 

Collins Aerospace Opens Additive Manufacturing Center, Expands Repair Capabilities at Monroe, N.C. Facility

Collins Aerospace announced the opening of a new additive manufacturing center and the expansion of its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities at its campus in Monroe, North Carolina. The company completed a $30 million expansion of the site in 2021 and has since invested an additional $15 million as part of the Monroe City Council and Union County Board of Commissioners MAGNET100 economic development incentive program.

Collins’ new additive manufacturing center in Monroe includes two 3D printers with plans to add more in the future. The new facility will join the company’s existing global network of additive production centers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Singapore, and additive research centers in Connecticut and Poland, to support the next generation of aircraft with state-of-the-art systems and optimized designs.

“Through a process of joining materials layer upon layer to make parts from 3D model data, additive manufacturing offers several key benefits compared to traditional manufacturing,” said Kevin Myers, vice president, Operations for Collins Aerospace. “By using additive manufacturing to produce aircraft parts and components, we can help reduce weight, cost and time to market, and provide more sustainable solutions for our customers.”

Collins maintains a worldwide network of 75 MRO sites to serve its global customer base. Opened in 2004, Collins’ 160,000-square-foot Monroe MRO facility serves more than 300 customers across the aerospace and defense industry. The site repairs more than 6,500 unique part numbers for commercial and military aircraft—including actuation systems, helicopter rescue hoists and air management systems—and provides aircraft-on-the-ground services.

Through its investments in the site, Collins has added new advanced manufacturing equipment to streamline operations, improve quality control and enhance employee safety. Collins has also increased the size of Monroe’s workforce, bringing on more than 70 new employees in the past year, and is continuing to hire for additional openings.

“Our Monroe site is one of Collins’ largest MRO facilities in the world, and the repairs we provide are essential to keeping our airline and military customers’ aircraft in service,” said Mary DeStaffan, Monroe site general manager for Collins Aerospace. “We’re proud to call Monroe home, to continue to invest and grow in the community here, and to support the region’s growing aerospace cluster.”

“Collins Aerospace is a vital corporate partner and a cornerstone of our aerospace cluster here in Monroe and Union County,” stated Monroe Mayor Marion Holloway. “Not only are we excited about the current success of the company and their investments here, but their continued commitment to the residents of our community.”

flydocs Signs MoU with Conduce Group for Electronic Log Book Integration

Asset management solution provider flydocs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Conduce Group under which flydocs will support with an interface of the eTechLog8, with the intention of allowing common clients the ability to keep a central repository for their e-signed tech log pages.

The MoU reflects a shared commitment between flydocs and Conduce Group to focus on high standards of operational efficiency and innovation in the aviation sector. 

Commenting on the collaboration, John Bowell, chief commercial officer, flydocs said; “Conduce provides several integrated cross-platform companion applications using their latest mobile technologies and this MoU strengthens our partnership and accelerates our ambitions for achieving our common goals. This is a great moment for us as this MoU will further drive our commitment to creating a seamless exchange of data between our products to bring additional value to our clients, jointly.”

Paul Boyd, managing director, Conduce said; “For Conduce Group, system integration is one of the cornerstones of eTechLog8, to ensure that the airlines obtain the greatest benefit on their digitalization journey. eCentral8 with its inbuilt integration manager, eGIS8, can seamlessly link data bi-directionally with other airline applications. Collaborating with the leaders in records management software, flydocs, we’re excited to advance the digital transformation journey and provide exceptional added value to our clients.”

Constant Aviation Expands Capabilities to Include Helicopter MRO Services

Constant Aviation has expanded its MRO capabilities beyond its portfolio of business jets, commercial airliners and other fixed-wing aircraft to include rotorcraft such as helicopters, drones and other Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

“We have striven to be at the forefront of aviation technology in all its forms, including servicing helicopters and emerging technologies such as Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” said David H. Davies, Constant Aviation’s CEO. “Our expansion into these sectors positions us well for the future, including our ability to serve even newer emerging technologies such as Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We are fully staffed and equipped to service any private aircraft that can fly, from fixed-wing aircraft such as business jets to helicopters, drones and other rotorcraft.”

As part of this initiative, Constant is completely refurbishing the Sikorsky S-76 helicopters flown by Flexjet’s new private helicopter division. The interiors of each helicopter are being refurbished in Flexjet’s LXi custom cabin interiors, with the first being the “Phantom” interior theme. All veneers are being refinished and all soft goods (seats, carpets and side walls) are being restored with new materials rich with texture. The newly painted livery was designed by Constant Aviation to pay homage to Flexjet’s distinctive business jet liveries which include a chameleon paint with an added carbon fiber accent on the upper cowling and leading edge on the vertical tail.

The private helicopter division refurbishments are being performed at Constant Aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Orlando Sanford International Airport (ICAO: KSFB).

“We are proud that Flexjet has chosen us to ensure that its private helicopters meet its exacting standards,” said Davies. “The refurbishment demonstrates how we have successfully expanded our offering to include providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services to helicopters and other rotorcraft.”

Constant Aviation says its expansion into helicopter MRO services is “a natural step in ensuring the company remains at the forefront of aviation maintenance needs across the full range of aircraft.” The company also believes the expertise developed with helicopters and other traditional rotorcraft systems strategically positions it to serve emerging technology areas such as UAS and eVTOLs, which employ similar engineering, materials and systems.

“The aviation industry is evolving quickly, with new systems coming to the fore, especially in vertical flight and unmanned systems,” said Davies. “We want to be positioned as the leader in servicing these newer forms of flight, and have been expanding our capabilities to offer them the same levels of skill, speed and quality that we have long provided to business jets and other fixed-wing aircraft.”

In recent years, Constant Aviation has been dedicating additional resources towards these platforms, including adding even more FAA-authorized capabilities to its repair station certificates. These have the express purpose of working tip-to-tail on today’s helicopters, UAS and, eventually, eVTOLs that require specific expertise that frequently is not aligned with standard repair station capabilities and issued ratings.

For example, in 2021 Constant Aviation renewed its partnership with Robotic Skies, a global marketplace for drone maintenance services, to support next-generation aviation sector UAS. With one of the nation’s largest aircraft-on-ground (AOG) mobile fleets, Constant Aviation can repair drones wherever they may be, an important consideration given how widely such vehicles are now used in business and industry. The continuation of this partnership, which resulted in Constant Aviation becoming an authorized UAS service center in 2017, positioned the two companies at the forefront of these emerging markets.

Deadline Closing in for FAA Aviation Workforce Development Grants Application

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more diverse pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals. This is the FAA’s second funding opportunity for these programs. A total of $10 million is available for the grants.

The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants will educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will prepare aviation maintenance technicians. Eligible entities can submit applications at www.grants.gov through June 10, 2022.

Eligible entities may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 for each grant per fiscal year. Last year, the FAA awarded $10 million in grants to more than 30 schools and organizations.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity for each grant provides detailed information on eligibility, deadlines, evaluation criteria and application procedures. To ensure fair and open competition for the grants, answers to public questions will be posted on the FAA website at www.faa.gov/go/awd. 

Potential applicants should visit the site to review answers to frequently asked questions, eligibility requirements and guidelines that may assist them to complete their grant application.

Ramco Systems Extends Aviation, Aerospace and Defense Software Service to Brunei Shell Petroleum

Global aviation software provider Ramco Systems announced that it will implement its Aviation, Aerospace and Defense software for Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), Brunei’s largest oil and gas company. Ramco’s full suite Aviation, Aerospace and Defense Software will fully integrate and automate aviation operations at BSP.

Ramco’s Aviation Software will offer BSP modules covering Maintenance, Maintenance Inventory for Aviation, Flight Operations, Safety & Quality, CAMO and Technical Records, providing BSP with a next gen digital platform for real-time data visibility across organization and aircraft readiness management. The solution will also provide in-depth analysis on BSP’s complex helicopter operations.

In addition, with its digital enablers like state-of-the-art mobile apps, HUBs and Dashboards, Ramco will help BSP manage its remote operations, enhance process efficiencies, improve productivity and go paperless.

“We are happy to partner with BSP as a part of their digital transformation journey,” said Manoj Kumar Singh, chief customer officer – Aviation, Aerospace & Defense, Ramco Systems. “Ramco’s deep domain expertise bundled with intuitive features will not only integrate and automate BSP’s processes, but will also improve productivity, enhance user experience and ensure timely decision making, thereby bringing in greater efficiency and effectiveness in delivering value. With an excellent track record in the heli space, and our ability to provide a single source of information in real time, we are confident that Ramco Aviation software will offer a digital edge to BSP and help the company reach great heights on their path to digitization.”