Category: PRs

Vallair Completes Sale of Two Aircraft Engines to TrueAero for Teardown

Vallair has completed the sale of one V2527-A5 and one CFM56-5B3. Both engines were sold to US asset specialist and parts provider, TrueAero, for teardown.

TrueAero is a diversified mid/end of life asset manager with a portfolio of 50 aircraft, and 20+ engines under or available for lease. Furthermore, TrueAero provides customers with an extensive inventory of repaired and ready-to-ship replacement parts. They maintain a reliable inventory of GE, CFMI, Pratt & Whitney, and IAE certified engine components, as well as Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer airframe material.

According to Patrick Leopold, director of trading at Vallair, USM for engines is in high demand globally, especially for the CFM56-5B engine model. “This is linked to the large number of -5Bs which will go through planned shop visits over the next few years. In anticipation of this increased parts demand, many significant businesses in the market are acquiring teardown assets for the type,” Leopold said. “Considering the on-going reliability issues with the A320 family NEO engine types, we see current engines being operated for longer and the requirement for parts to continue to ramp up.” 

Both engines were sold in ‘as is’ condition and teardown will be managed by TrueAero.

“We are actively planning to dismantle aircraft and engine assets in our own teardown facilities in Q3 and Q4,” Leopold added.

Vallair reports seeing year-on-year growth of more than 20% for USM attributed to its clear focus on extending the life and maximising the value of key parts through its in-house repair shop for aerostructures and its network of audited repair vendors worldwide.

Diehl Aviation and HAECO Cabin Solutions Unveil New Cabin Concept

Diehl Aviation and HAECO Cabin Solutions will be showcasing a completely new premium cabin concept for single-aisle aircraft at the Aircraft Interiors Expo to improve passenger comfort and grow airline yields. This new cabin concept allows an additional seat per row in the same space as a traditional recliner premium cabin, and improves passenger comfort and privacy.

At the heart of the solution is an asymmetric cabin configuration with the Eclipse Staggered Seats, a new and innovative premium seat designed to provide optimal comfort in either a 5-abreast or 4-abreast configuration. In a 5-abreast configuration, passengers do not sit exactly behind each other as usual, but always slightly staggered. For passengers, this means significantly improved comfort: The solution is remarkably effective in either application. Due to the staggered seats passengers’ shoulders are not in line with their immediate neighbor. In addition, the seats are enclosed at the rear by a fixed backrest. If the backrest is reclined, this is done through a cradling incline motion without any interference for the passenger in the next row.

In combination with high-end cabin components from Diehl Aviation, a unique cabin concept for premium economy class is created with a high level of travel comfort for passengers. Besides state-of-the-art cabin lighting and ECO lightweight partitions, Diehl Aviation’s Enlarged Bin is another key element for passenger comfort in the 5-abreast configuration. It is easy to install as a retrofit, reduces maintenance times through a quick-snap system and provides additional overhead space. Despite the asymmetric aisle and bigger bins, the cabin still provides the same passenger living space as in the rear section of the cabin. By moving the bin above the triple seat inboard, the 5-abreast cabin retains easy accessibility and maximum passenger convenience.

Diehl Aviation will be exhibiting the concept for the first time at its booth at the AIX 2023 with a full-size cabin demonstrator.

Conversion of existing cabins is facilitated by a standard modification kit offered by HAECO Cabin Solutions and Diehl Aviation available with either FAA or EASA certification, respectively. The kit is designed and packaged in a way that facilitates the modification during an aircraft maintenance visit or as part of a dedicated modification line. The concept is tailored to re-use the maximum number of parts from the current cabin.

Boeing Expands in Poland with New Parts Distribution Site

A new Boeing Distribution Services site is now open at Panattoni Park Rzeszów Airport III. The facility more than doubles the space for storing aircraft parts compared to the prior location and expands Boeing’s presence in Poland’s Aviation Valley, a unique industrial hub.

The new site enables advanced, customized shipping and packing processes for Boeing’s partners, which will improve delivery times to commercial and military customers, including airlines, original equipment manufacturers, and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.

“Our goal is to expand our business in the vibrant Podkarpacie region and Europe, creating new jobs and opportunities for industrial partnerships,” said Dr. Michael Haidinger, president, Boeing Germany, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe.

Boeing Distribution Services has operated in Poland since 2005, and supports more than 200 customers in the military and civil aerospace sectors. The headquarters in Rzeszów is Boeing’s second largest distribution center in Europe, after the chemical and specialty materials facility in Hensteadt-Ulzburg, Germany.

In October 2022, Boeing opened a state-of-the-art distribution center in Hensteadt-Ulzburg, Germany, one of Boeing’s most technologically advanced facilities. That facility, along with the new site in Poland, will help the company meet the growing demand for parts and professional aviation services across Europe.

“We are focused on continuing to grow our distribution services capabilities by leveraging and expanding our global network,” said William Ampofo, vice president, Parts & Distribution Services and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services. “This further strengthens our ability to deliver the products and services our customers need, when and where they need them.”

Boeing’s Parts & Distribution Services portfolio includes more than 15 million parts, services and tailored, platform-agnostic solutions that reduce cost, risk and complexity for production and aftermarket customers around the globe. Boeing continually strives to diversify its offerings, including investing in and developing regional distribution centers to enhance customer service.

Dassault Aviation Highlights Continuous Investment and Upgrading of MRO Network

Dassault Aviation is investing in a wider global maintenance footprint with modernized and expanded MRO factory-service facilities, and more resources flowing toward authorized facilities. Since 2019, the network has approximately doubled in size to 40 factory service centers and 21 authorized facilities. Among the benefits of this expanded network, Dassault is moving the capability to perform major inspections and upgrades closer to customers—all with one uniformly high standard of excellence.

The company is expanding the locations that can perform major C checks and the installation of the latest technologies, including the Easy IV flight deck, FalconEye Combined Vision System, and the FalconConnect high-speed Internet connectivity package.

Here are some of the most recent steps Dassault is taking to further strengthen MRO support.

  • Dubai: a major new ExecuJet MRO facility able to handle the latest and largest Falcons, as well as other brands, has just opened at the new Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC). The growing airport is a new hub of business aviation activity in the Middle East. The new 15,000 m2  facility  can service 15 aircraft at once. It will support a growing fleet of Falcons in the Middle East and from surrounding regions. Dassault Aviation will retain AOG service at Dubai International Airport, as well.
  • Malaysia: A brand new ExecuJet MRO facility also opens at Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur in early 2024. The new state of the art 12,000 m2 location is larger than the facilities it replaces and is also able to accommodate the new ultra wide cabin Falcons. Dassault is finding new and growing markets in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Indonesia. The new KL service center handles major maintenance and provides on-site support through technical representatives in Vietnam and elsewhere.
  • Melbourne, Florida: A new, state-of-the art MRO facility with a capacity for 15 aircraft is scheduled to open in early 2025. The 12,000 m2 facility will service aircraft from North and South America. It will also be the site of a new paint facility. The Melbourne facility brings new capacity to the Eastern U.S., which has a high concentration of Falcon aircraft.
  • New Delhi: Falcon operators now have a new Authorized Service Center to choose from in India—Indamer, located at Indira Ghandi International Airport in New Delhi. There are now three ASCs in India, with two in Mumbai. India today has one of the world’s best performing economies in terms of GDP growth. A new service location supports more business aviation activity.
  • First Falcon 7X 2C check: Dassault Falcon Jet-Little Rock has completed the most extensive inspection required for the Falcon 7X. A “C” check is required every eight years or 4,000 cycles, and in this case the aircraft received its second C check and a complete landing gear overhaul after 16 years in service.

The entire Dassault MRO network has been gearing up for more than a year to perform these all-encompassing inspections on the 7X fleet, including by providing on-site structural engineers to speed the process if repairs are required. Customers now have more options on where to take their aircraft for C-checks, including Dassault’s long-standing facilities in Paris-Le Bourget, Bordeaux and Little Rock, AR or newer locations closer to their home base. This expansion is part of the company’s strategy to maximize customer choice and convenience.

Planning and preparation for the 2C checks will also benefit the Falcon 8X fleet, which will start their first C-checks in 2023 and several are already planned into factory-owned facilities later this year.

“Our fleet is global, and our service must be global, as well,” said Jean Kayanakis, SVP, worldwide Falcon customer service & service center network. “By constantly investing in new facilities and the skills of our people, we are making it easier for customers to base and operate Falcons anywhere.”

EvoMesure: measurement at the heart of the issues at the Paris Air Show

Aeronautical test equipment and aerodynamic testing specialists, EvoMesure, announced its participation in the prestigious Paris Air Show, where it will present a range of the most innovative test equipment in the aviation industry. This highly anticipated event will take place from June 19 to 25 at the Le Bourget airport exhibition center.

Located in hall 2B, the EvoMesure booth will be the ideal meeting place for avionics maintenance professionals and aerodynamicists looking for state-of-the-art instrumentation solutions.

Visitors to the EvoMesure booth will have the opportunity to explore a complete range of Pitot Static benches as well as an impressive array of Pitot Static adapters for all types of aircraft: airliners, helicopters, drones, military aircraft…

In addition to this avionics test equipment, EvoMesure will also present its innovative aerodynamic solutions.

These measurement instruments play a crucial role in shaping the future of aviation by contributing to the development of more aerodynamic and environmentally friendly aircraft and urban air mobility vehicles. With a strong focus on sustainability, EvoMesure’s aerodynamic solutions address the pressing challenges of reducing emissions and promoting environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.

“We are delighted to participate in the prestigious Paris Air Show,” said Jean-Paul Nguyen, general manager of EvoMesure. “This event provides us with an invaluable platform to showcase our latest advances in aircraft maintenance test equipment and aerodynamic testing solutions. Our goal is to equip the aviation industry with state-of-the-art tools that improve operational efficiency, accuracy and durability. We look forward to showcasing our new products and engaging in fruitful discussions with industry professionals.”

GracoRoberts Acquires Pacific Coast Composites to Provide Composites Products and Shorter Lead Times

GracoRoberts has acquired Washington-based Pacific Coast Composites (PCC) to significantly expand its composites materials offerings and underpin its standing as the largest, fastest, and most technical aerospace specialty chemicals distributor around the globe.

The addition of stocking distributor Pacific Coast Composites to the GracoRoberts family bolsters the organization’s product depth and breadth and amplifies its reach to customers and suppliers in the $31 billion (7.5% CAGR) aerospace composites market. As a go-to distributor for leading brands 3M, Hexcel, Aerovac, and Isovolta, PCC stocks nearly 400 composites products from 20 suppliers and 15 product categories including adhesives, bagging materials, pre-pregs, resins, honeycomb core, and more. With spec-driven in-house converting, and offering customers custom kitting and slitting capabilities, it is PCC’s rapid turn and same day shipping on made-to-order composites materials that truly sets the company apart. GracoRoberts will now offer immediate access to a historically long-lead time product offering – upwards of 30 days to one year – enabling next-level service and speed to market for its customer base.  

In addition, PCC’s customers will benefit from a larger portfolio of products and channel partners in the specialty chemicals space from GracoRoberts, including Resin Formulators, GracoRoberts’ custom formulated line of epoxy resins. Through GracoRoberts’ ecommerce platforms Pacific Coast Composites’ customers – and the global aerospace community at large – will benefit from easy access to composite materials in an unprecedented click-to-ship environment, the company says.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pacific Coast Composites into the GracoRoberts family of brands,” said Jason Caldwell, president and CEO of GracoRoberts. “PCC has uniquely solved for long-lead times and excessive waste in the complex composites material space, and GracoRoberts has adopted an online first strategy to take those products to market. Together, we are significantly enhancing the overall customer experience by making it easier and faster to purchase the specific materials they need, with the quality they expect.”

Kevin Fochtman, president of Pacific Coast Composites, added, “We’ve developed a business centered on providing our customers with smaller, customized composites material sizes in a near 24-hour turnaround time. Culturally, we believe in giving our customers what they want, in the quantity they want, and most importantly, when they want it. We pride ourselves in solving problems, offering exceptional service, and adding real value that the customer can measure. Our focus on the customer is in absolute alignment with GracoRoberts, which makes our partnership such a natural fit.” Pacific Coast Composites will maintain its operations in Puyallup, Washington, and serve as a key distribution hub for GracoRoberts in the Northwestern United States.

The acquisition of Pacific Coast Composites is supported by CM Equity Partners, the private equity sponsor of GracoRoberts and partner to the GracoRoberts management team. CM Equity Partners has assisted GracoRoberts in its global and digital strategic growth initiatives through acquisitions of E.V. Roberts, Able Aerospace Adhesives, Sil-Mid Ltd., and most recently, SkyGeek.com. CM Equity Partners has over 30 years of experience providing growth capital to the aerospace, defense, and federal services industries.

ST Engineering Sets Up Airframe MRO JV with SF Airlines in Hubei, China

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) recently announced that its Commercial Aerospace business and SF Airlines Co. (SF Airlines) has incorporated a new joint venture company (JVCo) in Ezhou, Hubei, China. The JVCo was set up with a registered capital of RMB100m (approximately S$19m). ST Engineering has a 60% stake in the JVCo, with the remaining 40% stake held by SF Airlines.

The JVCo will operate a greenfield airframe MRO facility at the Ezhou Huahu Airport to provide airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) services to cargo and passenger airlines operating in the Asia region, including SF Airlines. The first hangar facility is estimated to be ready in 2025. 

Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering, said, “China will be a strong growth driver for Asia’s commercial aerospace sector over the next decade. A presence in Hubei, China, will enhance our MRO network in Asia to better meet and capture the rising regional demand, while our strategic collaboration with an airline partner will enable us to start up a greenfield operation quickly.” 

The setup of this JVCo is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year.

Berry Aviation Awarded Aero-Medical Evacuation Contract Supporting U.S. Marine Rotational Forces-Darwin

Berry Aviation (BAI) in partnership with CareFlight, Australia, has been awarded a U.S. Government contract by USTRANSCOM to provide fixed-wing (FW) and rotary-wing (RW) aircraft, aircrew, personnel, ancillary services, and equipment to perform Aero-medical Evacuation services in support of Marine Rotational Forces (MRF) training exercises throughout Australia.  With more than 35 years of DOD experience, BAI continues to demonstrate its ability to oversee and manage complex contracts to help accomplish the U.S. military mission. BAI’s subcontract partner, CareFlight, has more than 36 years’ experience providing rotary-wing aero-medical retrieval services, and is an Australian aero-medical charity with a mission to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community. Team BAI program managers, pilots, operations, staff and maintenance personnel will provide their extensive knowledge of organizational and mission requirements to support the MRF.

BAI, a member of Acorn Growth Companies, is headquartered in San Marcos, TX. With 40 years of experience in the aviation industry, BAI operates a broad portfolio of specialized aviation solutions. The company is certified as an FAA and EASA Part 145 Repair Station and is medically accredited by NAAMTA and CAMTS.

Cirrus Aircraft Service Centers Earn FAA Certification

Cirrus Aircraft announced that all four of its company-operated Service Centers have now earned FAA Part 145 certification under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR). 

This certification signifies another milestone for Cirrus Aircraft delivering the highest standard of quality repair service by professionally trained technicians and mechanics. 

Part 145 involves the maintenance, inspection and alteration of aircraft and aircraft products; it ensures that programs, systems and intended methods of compliance with regulatory requirements are thoroughly reviewed, evaluated and tested. FAA regulations are specific on who can perform maintenance and approve an aircraft, airframe, engines, etc. for return to service after maintenance has been performed. 

“Cirrus Aircraft’s company-operated Service Center expansion has created more opportunities for SR Series and Vision Jet owners to service their aircraft. Today, we celebrate the diligent work by our team to achieve FAA Part 145 certification,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Aircraft. “Our goal is to continue growing our global service capacity through both our authorized network and company-operated facilities to ensure we deliver a world-class ownership experience.” 

Cirrus Aircraft’s SR Series and Vision Jet company-operated Service Centers in Duluth and Knoxville received FAA Part 145 certification in 2021, McKinney received certification in 2022 and Kissimmee received certification in 2023.   

AMETEK Appoints Ketchum VP/GM MRO Division

AMETEK recently announced the appointment of Daniel J. Ketchum as vice president and general manager, MRO Division, effective April 1, 2023. Ketchum currently serves as division vice president and business unit manager for the FMH-PDT business within AMETEK’s Aerospace and Defense Division.

“I am pleased to announce Dan’s promotion to vice president and general manager,” commented David A. Zapico, AMETEK chairman and chief executive officer. “Dan brings excellent leadership skills, a strong operational background, and extensive aerospace experience to this role. We expect him to play a key role in the continued growth and success of our MRO businesses.”

Ketchum joined AMETEK in 2018 as vice president, operational excellence for the materials analysis division. Prior to joining AMETEK, he spent 13 years with General Electric, where he held leadership positions of increasing responsibility within their aviation businesses.

Ketchum holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.