February 1, 2018 - No. 009 In This Issue KES to deploy aviation asset tracking system at Hong Kong Airport Eagle Creek Aviation Offers Twin Commander Mx Classes State grant to help in Arista expansion US Aviation Academy Milestone: Welcomes Class 100 AAR Growth Strategy Includes Supply Chain, Digital Services Papillon to implement Ramco Systems' newest operating suite Ever build an airplane? High school students learn how at Tehachapi Municipal Airport Elliott Aviation Launches Customer Service App with FAA Approval NTSB Says Undetected Metal Flaw Led to Dangerous Boeing 767 Engine Failure and Fire SpaceX rocket survives an intentional water landing KES to deploy aviation asset tracking system at Hong Kong Airport Inseego has won a contract from KLM Equipment Services (KES) to deploy its Ctrack Aviation Asset Tracking and Management services at Hong Kong International Airport. The company is a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) business intelligence solutions provider. A system will be deployed at Hong Kong Airport's Jardine Air Terminal Services (JATS) to manage a complete range of motorised and non-motorised ground support equipment (GSE). Inseego Enterprise SaaS Solutions executive vice-president Chris Lytle said: "Our Ctrack Aviation Asset Tracking offering is becoming increasingly popular in the industry due to rising security standards, double-digit traffic growth, and the need for decreased asset downtime at airports worldwide. "This truly is a unique and proven end-to-end IoT solution that improves safety, security and the overall passenger experience by increasing the operational efficiency of GSE." GSE providers can use Ctrack Aviation Asset Tracking for a secure, location-based airport equipment management solution. The user-friendly web-based SaaS platform gives controlled access and real-time visibility of assets, in addition to facilitating preventative maintenance. KLM Equipment Services Hong Kong general manager Paul Feldbrugge said: "We choose Ctrack by Inseego to manage the GSE fleet of our customer, JATS, because of its state-of-the-art telematics technology, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness and excellent customer service, as experienced by our Schiphol operations since we deployed Ctrack in 2015." The latest installation at Hong Kong Airport will mark the second deployment of Ctrack services for KES after the solution was delivered to KLM's operation hub at Amsterdam Schipol. https://www.airport-technology.com/news/kes-deploy-aviation-asset-tracking-system-hong-kong- airport/ Back to Top Eagle Creek Aviation Offers Twin Commander Mx Classes Eagle Creek Aviation Services is offering Twin Commander 690-695B maintenance initial training classes from May 7 to 15 and September 17 to 25 at its Indianapolis facility. Designed for A&P mechanics, these classes combine physical training aids such as live aircraft with aircraft maintenance manuals and the aircraft illustrated parts catalog to provide students with a well rounded knowledge of aircraft maintenance. A minimum of four students must be registered for a class to take place. Potential students can work with Eagle Creek for special request class dates as long as four students can attend. Once training is completed, technicians will take a graded exam, and then receive an official certificate of training and a record of training after passing the exam. Technicians who are a part of the Twin Commander service network are required to be formally trained in maintenance publications and procedures specific to the Commander. The classes offered by Eagle Creek Aviation Services will help technicians become more informed about aircraft inspection and maintenance, the company said. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2018-01-30/eagle-creek-aviation- offers-twin-commander-mx-classes Back to Top State grant to help in Arista expansion A state grant will open the way for expansion of the Arista Aviation facility in Enterprise. According to a news release, Gov. Kay Ivey recently approved a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant to be used toward the construction of a 225,000-gallon water tank at the Enterprise Regional Airport. The water tank, which will be constructed by the City of Enterprise, is deemed necessary for Arista to have "adequate fire-suppression capabilities" for its addition. Arista's addition will cover 42,000 square feet and will allow the company to hire about 60 workers, which would give the company more than 200 employees. The news release said the expansion would help Arista be competitive for bigger contracts worldwide. "This expansion is great news for the city of Enterprise and is further proof that Alabama is a leader in the aviation technology industry," Ivey said in the news release. "I am delighted for the opportunities that this expansion by Arista Aviation brings to Enterprise and the Wiregrass area." City Communications Director Jason Wright said the time frame for the tank's construction is to be determined. The tank will mainly serve Arista and the nearby area of the airport while being connected to the city's water system. The grant is being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city applied for the grant, which does not require matching, Wright said. Arista focuses on "maintenance, repair and overhaul of Bell Light and Medium helicopters and military helicopters," the news release said. Last June, Arista reached an agreement to sell four modified UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters to the International Defense and Aerospace Group, which was a new avenue for the company. In July, Arista announced the extension of a maintenance contract U.S. State Department's Office of Aviation for the company to continue to do maintenance on UH-1 helicopters. The contract is for five years with a maximum value of $111 million. http://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/state-grant-to-help-in-arista- expansion/article_061aa6f0-0608-11e8-aac5-c73c2495529d.html Back to Top US Aviation Academy Milestone: Welcomes Class 100 DENTON, TEXAS (PRWEB) JANUARY 30, 2018 - US Aviation Academy began training Class 1 in 2009 and today welcomes Class 100 from China Southern Airlines. In less than a decade, US Aviation has become a worldwide leader in airline cadet training through a dedication to quality flight training "On time, on budget." The first classes were taught in a small hangar with folding tables and chairs, sharing space with maintenance. Now US Aviation has over 20,000 square feet of classroom space and over 40,000 square feet of dedicated maintenance space. Thousands of our graduates have advanced to become captains and first officers at their respective airlines, transporting people and goods globally. It's not uncommon for our executives traveling on domestic or international airlines to discover the Captain or First Officer is a US Aviation alumnus. Looking forward to 2018, US Aviation will train approximately 500 students across three campuses in North Texas; Denton Enterprise Airport, North Texas Regional Airport, and Alliance Airport. Utilizing a one-hundred-strong fleet of training aircraft, the company expects to fly over 90,000 hours in 2018. We thank our partners, airlines, and our employees for their years of teamwork and service. Together, US Aviation will grow and continue as the world's premier flight training provider. US Aviation Group LLC provides world-class flight training services at Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO), North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI), and in partnership with Tarrant County College at Alliance Airport (KAFW). US Aviation Academy offers FAA and CAAC Part 141 training including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor. US Aviation has a fleet of over 100 aircraft and simulators, making it one of the largest flight training academies in the United States. US Jet Center, a subsidiary, also provide premier FBO services at KDTO with over 100,000 square feet of corporate hangar space under management. For more information, please contact Scott Sykes at 940-297-6418 or SSykes(at)usaviation(dot)aero. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/01/prweb15142813.htm Back to Top AAR Growth Strategy Includes Supply Chain, Digital Services AAR Corp., perhaps best known for its U.S.-based heavy commercial airframe maintenance business, has been busy diversifying its services, ramping up component support and parts-supply deals-with a notable focus on the Asia-Pacific region-and signaling that digital offerings will play a larger role in the near future. AAR recently marked the one-year anniversary of a wide-ranging agreement with Air New Zealand (ANZ) by expanding the deal. In November 2016, the MRO specialist agreed to provide per-flight- hour support for ANZ's 15-aircraft Boeing 777 fleet. That agreement covered 740 parts and included stocking in ANZ's network. More significantly, it established ANZ as AAR's exclusive Asia- Pacific repair provider and preferred supplier for "selected parts," AAR said. The expanded agreement, announced November 20, "significantly increases" the volume of contracted component repairs that AAR will push through the airline's shops, AAR explained. "With strong OEM relationships and vast airline operational experience, Air New Zealand's workshops complement AAR's workshops in Amsterdam and New York," said Deepak Sharma, president, AAR integrated solutions-commercial. For AAR, the ANZ partnership established a major presence in the Asia-Pacific region while further expanding an aggressive push into supply chain services, and component support, specifically. AAR struck several large fleet-support deals in 2017, including a five-year agreement with IndiGo to overhaul Airbus A320 landing-gear shipsets and component support deal for Allegiant Air's growing A320 fleet. Both are new customers. It also added work with existing customers SkyWest, for Bombardier CRJ support, and BlueBird Cargo, for Boeing 737 Classic component support. AAR has more than 1,600 aircraft under some kind of support deal, placing it among the industry's top fleet-support providers. The ANZ agreement is part of a global expansion that also saw it open a parts warehouse at Dubai World Central (DWC) Airport in early 2017. That move helped balance AAR geographically-it has similar facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America-and could help in landing more regional customers beyond IndiGo and Flydubai, which has turned to AAR for both 737NG and Max component support. The component support and parts-supply services augment a strong airframe maintenance business that continues to grow. AAR in September acquired two airframe MRO facilities from Canada's Premier Aviation and landed agreements to service Air Canada A320-family aircraft and Embraer E190s. It also won deals to service Air Canada's Boeing 767 fleet, which is being transitioned to the carrier's Rouge low-cost brand, as well as Republic Airline's 188 E170-family aircraft. In each case, the deals expanded on existing customer relationships. DIGITAL SUPPORT SERVICES As AAR broadens its supply-chain services and solidifies its core airframe MRO work, the company has been expanding in a related area: data-driven support services. Last October, AAR rolled out a new version of its PAARTS Store, which stocks some one million new and used parts. It also introduced AARLive, a portal tailored for its component-support customers. Among its features: access to required paperwork ahead of part shipment and tracking of orders in real time. "These new digital services are the first results of AAR's ongoing investment in an intelligent solutions team and related solution development to reimagine 'business as usual' and drive additional value for our customers," said John Holmes, AAR president and COO. "AAR is working hard to extend our industry-leading supply chain services in the digital realm." AAR's next step into the digital realm-and arguably its boldest to date-came in December. It created the position of chief digital officer and announced the hiring of data science specialist and former Gogo executive Andrew Kemmetmueller. "I joined AAR because we have a unique opportunity to layer digital capabilities and services into the company's industry-leading aviation aftermarket services," explained Kemmetmueller. "Digitization is a new opportunity for AAR to partner with customers on innovations that create operational efficiencies and deliver more value." While AAR is primarily a commercial aviation company, it has significant defense-industry activity as well. Its Aviation Services, which includes supply chain and MRO services and makes up approximately 84 percent of its $1.8 billion in annual sales, generates 25 percent of its revenues from defense. AAR has partnerships with more than 30 OEMs including Ametek, Crane, Eaton, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Unison and UTC Aerospace Systems, which help it supply military aircraft operators with parts. The company also has an extensive inventory of expendable, repairable, and overhauled parts for military aircraft. AAR provides spare components for many major aircraft, including the F-16, F-15, F-18, V-22, C-130, H-60, CH-47, CH-53, AH-64, and UH-1. AAR generates 16 percent of its revenues from expeditionary services, including providing fixed- and rotary-wing lift in austere environments. About 80 percent of this business unit's revenues come from commercial work. The unit also supplies cargo services, including pallets and containers. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2018-01-30/aar-growth-strategy-includes- supply-chain-digital-services Back to Top Papillon to implement Ramco Systems' newest operating suite Papillon Group, the world's largest and longest running aerial tour company, has announced a partnership with Ramco Systems, the global aviation software provider on Cloud and Mobile, to install Ramco Aviation Suite V5.8, for maintenance and engineering operations of its fleet. Two of Papillon's brands - Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines - will be serviced by Ramco with its state-of-the-art Aviation Suite 5.8, integrating both facilities' disparate manual systems on a single digital platform to improve company-wide productivity and process efficiency. Papillon currently operates a fleet of 80 rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft which fly an estimated 600,000 passengers each year along daily sightseeing tours of the Grand Canyon and other U.S. landmarks. The suite offers an advanced mobile-friendly dashboard that automates and manages maintenance engineering, compliance and quality assurance, flight operations, electronic flight bag, and crew scheduling. Bundled with the latest technology stacks such as hubs, integration gateways and electronic signature capabilities, it also offers reporting and analysis functions, helping to achieve efficient paperless operations. "Embracing digitization with Ramco will bring a new edge to our business," said Geoff Edlund, president, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters. "We are confident that Ramco's comprehensive, one- stop solution will streamline and automate all our group-wide manual operations and ensure real- time data availability, equipping us to deal with fresh challenges and make better business decisions." "Ramco has a strong track record of successful maintenance and engineering support for heli- operators, and our presence in the U.S. is growing," said Virender Aggarwal, chief engineering officer, Ramco Systems. "We are pleased to have been chosen by an established business such as Papillon Group and believe our next-generation technology will propel them to new heights." https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/papillon-implement-ramco-systems-newest- operating-suite/ Back to Top Ever build an airplane? High school students learn how at Tehachapi Municipal Airport If Tehachapi High School students want to know more about aviation, they now have a unique opportunity - building their own airplane. After more than two years of planning, 12 mentors from the Tehachapi Society of Pilots are helping students learn about aviation through free, twice-weekly workshops, and at the same time are raising awareness for the local Tehachapi Municipal Airport. "This is the best class I've had," said Patrick Seymour, a junior at Valley Oaks Charter School. "It's such a challenge and very mechanical at the same time." Senior Brynn Turpin from Valley Oaks Charter School said, "This is another way to get my hands into mechanics and building. It's a great opportunity to get out there and try something new." Tehachapi High School student Alyssa Lundberg added that her father has always talked to her about airplanes, and she is enjoying learning more about how a plane works. More than 18 students from both Tehachapi High and Valley Oaks Charter School are involved in building the $85,000 Zenith CH 750 Cruzer two-seater airplane. The funding to make this possible has been acquired through the Arts, Science and Technology Educational Corp. of Tehachapi and gives students firsthand knowledge on the mechanics and rules of aviation. "If any out of the group is encouraged or inspired to learn more about aircraft maintenance or aviation, that would be great. It's a pleasure to impart my knowledge to the kids here," said mentor and licensed mechanic Gary Childress. The airplane is projected to built in less than a year and at the moment students are assembling the main frame. "We are learning as we go," said Paul Nafziger, project manager for the classes.He added, "The students are really dedicated and I'm really impressed." The Tehachapi Society of Pilots is a nonprofit organization that is arranged with the purpose of providing education to students in the aviation field, gives scholarships for those entering college and serves as an ambassador for the local airport. After the airplane is finished, it will be used for flying instruction and then sold to purchase another airplane kit. The society hopes to secure another grant to help further new projects, Nafziger said. http://www.tehachapinews.com/news/ever-build-an-airplane-high-school-students-learn-how- at/article_c6b866d0-0555-11e8-a580-5faa5700fd1d.html Back to Top Elliott Aviation Launches Customer Service App with FAA Approval January 31, 2018, Moline, IL - Elliott Aviation, a leading aviation services company, today announced the official launch of their new customer service app and online portal, Elliott Connect. The system allows customers to view and approve squawks, receive quotes and invoices, review history, view photos of work in progress and view the team working on a given work order. Elliott Connect is available in the Apple App store, Google Play and through any computer browser. The system is available for customers to use on all MRO work at the Moline, IL, headquarters and will be available for customers at the Des Moines facility in March and the Eden Prairie, MN in April. Elliott Connect was designed to be a customized portal to optimize customer and employee communication and interaction. The real-time updates allow for customers to view project status and approve items at anytime from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Elliott Aviation's IT Department received official FAA approval on January 30th. All involved personnel have gone through internal training, which has led to improved efficiencies in internal processes that support the program. The team beta tested Elliott Connect directly with customers on over 20 different work orders involving all technical and support departments with the Moline, IL headquarters. "As we continue to evolve our business, we knew it was critical to make every effort to enhance our customer service," said Lonnie Hoodjer, Director of IT Services for Elliott Aviation. "Elliott Connect will help reduce downtime and improve efficiencies across all levels of our business." Elliott Aviation is a second-generation, family-owned business aviation company offering a complete menu of high quality products and services including aircraft sales, avionics service & installations, aircraft maintenance, accessory repair & overhaul, paint and interior, charter and aircraft management. Serving the business aviation industry nationally and internationally, they have facilities in Moline, IL, Des Moines, IA, and Minneapolis, MN. The company is a member of the Pinnacle Air Network, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA). http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12394856/elliott-aviation-launches-customer-service- app-with-faa-approval Back to Top NTSB Says Undetected Metal Flaw Led to Dangerous Boeing 767 Engine Failure and Fire Jan. 31--The aviation industry needs improved engine-inspection methods to avoid missing a type of flaw in metal parts that caused a near-catastrophic breakup of a jet engine on a Boeing 767 in 2016, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The NTSB also pointed to shortfalls in how the American Airlines flight crew handled the emergency after the fire that broke out as the airliner about to take off in Chicago that fall. And NTSB members criticized the behavior of passengers who tried to haul luggage off the burning plane. On Oct. 28, 2016, the right engine of the Boeing jet exploded as the plane accelerated down the runway. The pilot aborted his takeoff and brought the plane to a halt within 900 yards, with the engine and wing on fire. All 161 passengers and nine crew aboard the plane were evacuated via escape slides to the ground on the left side of the plane. Twenty people suffered minor injuries, and one passenger, a 77-year-old man, suffered multiple broken bones and a blow to the head when knocked over by the jet blast from the left engine, which had not been shut off. Explosion on takeoff The fire began when a heavy metal disk that spins at great speed within the engine core broke into pieces with explosive force. The metal pieces pierced the sides of the GE engine, a highly dangerous outcome known as an "uncontained engine failure." The failed disk -- in the engine's high-pressure turbine -- was recovered in four pieces. One 57- pound chunk was found more than a half-mile away. The explosion sent hot metal ripping through the wing, igniting a fire fed by spilling aviation fuel. The blaze eventually destroyed the airplane. The report highlighted various missteps in the subsequent evacuation. The pilot shut off the right engine as he brought the plane to a stop. But following a checklist that doesn't distinguish between engine failure in the air or on the ground, he didn't immediately stop the engine on the left side. At that point, flight attendants reported they could not reach the cockpit. Two of them said they couldn't operate the intercoms to phone the pilots. American had 13 different models of intercoms on its fleet, and flight attendants weren't trained on each model. As the fire flared on the right side, flight attendants began evacuating travelers via escape slides on the left side while the left engine was still running. The NTSB report says alarmed passengers were climbing over seats and rushing for the exits, some carrying their baggage despite instructions to leave it behind. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said "one passenger even resisted a flight attendant attempting to take away a carry-on bag ... in a burning airplane." "Things can be replaced," Sumwalt said. "People can't." A flawed disk Investigators determined the engine explosion was caused by a subsurface defect in the turbine disk -- a rare but known issue referred to in the industry as a "dirty white spot" -- produced during the manufacturing process in 1997. Such a flaw typically leads to fatigue cracks over time. Still, it escaped detection during routine in-service engine-maintenance inspections in 2007 and 2011. The disk was made from an ingot of nickel-based alloy produced in a standard process. The metal was inspected twice during its production using ultrasonic equipment that would have shown any subsurface cracks or voids in the metal. None were found. When the engine entered service, American Airlines mechanics inspected the disks twice more during routine maintenance, using equipment designed to detect only surface and near-surface flaws. None were found. When the in-service inspections were performed the cracks had still not reached the surface, the NTSB concluded. NTSB metallurgical expert Pierre Scarfo said during the presentation Tuesday that if the in-service inspections had used some subsurface detection method, such as ultrasonic equipment, "the cracks would have been detected before the disk had failed." After the accident, GE ultrasonically inspected all engine parts made from the same ingot of metal and found no further defects. A GE study determined that improvements in the manufacturing process produced fewer subsurface anomalies in ingots of this nickel alloy produced after 2000. In September, following GE's lead, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a rule that will mandate ultrasonic inspection of all turbine disks in this type of engine produced before 2000. The NTSB said the FAA and industry should study whether enhanced ultrasonic methods are required for inspections during manufacture of the nickel alloy. "Current inspection methods ... need a closer look," Sumwalt said Tuesday. The safety agency also recommended that airlines provide training to improve communication and coordination between the flight and cabin crews in an emergency situation. American said in an email that it already has done so. ___ (c)2018 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12394808/ntsb-says-undetected-metal-flaw-led-to-dangerous- boeing-767-engine-failure-and-fire Back to Top SpaceX rocket survives an intentional water landing Right now, SpaceX is only reusing rockets to a limited degree -- it's disposing of vehicles after a short while when they're unlikely to survive their next flight. With its latest launch, though, it got lucky. Elon Musk has confirmed that the Falcon 9 first stage from the GovSat-1 launch survived its intentional water landing. It was only meant to test a "very high retrothrust landing" for the sake of protecting the drone ship and was expected to meet an untimely end, but it appeared to have survived largely intact. Musk hoped the booster could be towed to shore, although there's no mention of what happens if it comes back safely. We wouldn't count on much happening, however. It doesn't exactly look like it's in a healthy state, and SpaceX isn't about to preserve every rocket with a special story behind it. As it is, the company's eyes are elsewhere. SpaceX is poised to launch Falcon Heavy for the first time on February 6th, and the successful GovSat-1 effort makes sure the Heavy launch can go ahead without hiccups. The rocket recovery is really icing on the cake. https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/31/spacex-rocket-survives-intentional-water-landing/ Curt Lewis