October 18, 2018 - No. 082 In This Issue Chattahoochee Tech's New Aviation Academy Will Help Create Much Needed Workforce Pipeline Ethiopian Maintenance And Engineering Services Pioneers First Genx Engine Repair In Africa AAR Named Preferred Global Distributor for Zodiac Aerospace Water and Waste Product Lines Boeing signs maintenance deals with El Al Airlines, Lufthansa JSSI Acquires S3 Aero Specialists UTC Aerospace Systems and AMAC Aerospace to Provide Premier Nacelle Maintenance to Business Jet MRO Insider Amplifies Network with StandardAero Add Embry-Riddle Students Recognized Nationally with Scholarships ACI Jet Brings Additive Manufacturing to Maintenance Arm Rocket part found on Outer Banks beach belongs to Elon Musk's SpaceX, park confirms Chattahoochee Tech's New Aviation Academy Will Help Create Much Needed Workforce Pipeline In One Of Georgia's Biggest Industries Aviation is a massive industry in the state. In fact, it's one of the largest employment sectors we have. That makes it imperative we have a ready and able workforce pipeline to replace retiring mechanics and technicians, and right now that's not the case. Last year we spoke to Harrison Payne, formerly of the High Demand Career Initiative, who told us right now Georgia lacks airline pilots, mechanics, and technicians. The good news is we're trying to do something about that. The Technical College System of Georgia, Chattahoochee Technical College, and various industry partners have come together to create a new Aviation Academy in Paulding County at Silver Comet Field at the Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport. Chattahoochee Tech will offer FAA-certified programs to earn an Aviation Maintenance Technician (airframe technical certificate of credit). This allows students to become certified in all parts of an aircraft except the engine. The Aviation Maintenance Technician - Power Plant TCC will also be available, which certifies a student in all aspects of the engine of an aircraft. Airline maintenance technicians can average more than $69,000 a year at Delta, and the need for skilled mechanics and technicians is only going to increase in the near future. Perhaps the best news in all this is the HOPE Career Grant will cover the cost of tuition for eligible students. We've written about the HOPE career grant before, but for those who don't know, the grant is all about workforce development. It also helps Georgia employers by creating a pipeline of skilled workers they can hire well into the future. http://www.gpb.org/blogs/georgia-at-work/2018/10/16/chattahoochee-techs-new-aviation-academy-will-help-create-much Back to Top Ethiopian Maintenance And Engineering Services Pioneers First Genx Engine Repair In Africa The Ethiopian Maintenance and Engineering Services, the largest and oldest aircraft maintenance centre in Africa, has become the first in Africa with capability to repair the GEnx Engine, which powers the Boeing 787 aircraft. The first GEnx engine repaired at Ethiopian Maintenance & Engineering Services facility makes the airline among one of very few GEnx Repair shops in the GE MRO global network. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, commented on the new capability saying: "We are delighted to be the 1st MRO service provider in Africa with capability to perform modular level repair on the GEnx Engine, the latest GE engines which powers the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft, the Boeing 787. We are making additional investments to enhance our capability so as to fully overhaul of the GEnx engine before mid-2019. This newly developed capability will enable us to overhaul the GEnx engines of not just our Boeing 787 fleet but also those of other airlines in the world operating Boeing 787 aircraft powered by the GEnx engine. I would like to extend my gratitude to General Electric for entrusting us with the responsibility to overhaul the GEnx engines at our maintenance facility and to congratulate to our MRO team for this great accomplishment and their continued hard work and dedication" Ethiopian Maintenance & Engineering Services performs airframe, engine, component and line maintenance under the approval of Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. Its base maintenance facilities have the FAA PART 145 Repair Station approval since 1968 and are currently approved for the maintenance of B737, B757, B767, B777, B787, Q400 and A350 aircraft models. Ethiopian MRO also holds EASA PART 145 approval for both base and line maintenance at Addis Ababa for B737NG, B757, B767 and B777. The base facility also has the accreditation of Boeing and Bombardier as approved service facility. https://leadership.ng/2018/10/16/ethiopian-maintenance-and-engineering-services-pioneers-first-genx-engine-repair-in-africa/ Back to Top AAR Named Preferred Global Distributor for Zodiac Aerospace Water and Waste Product Lines WOOD DALE, Ill., Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), a global provider of aviation services, will partner with Zodiac Aerospace to distribute their water and waste product portfolio to the global airline, MRO and supporting markets effective November 1, 2018. Under this agreement, AAR will use analytics to proactively develop opportunities enhancing the success of Zodiac Aerospace's commercial aerospace customer base. AAR will stock material throughout the Company's worldwide warehouse network with locations in Chicago, Germany, Dubai, Singapore and Shanghai. AAR's expertise in inventory management, customer service and AOG support will provide the airline market decreased lead times on Zodiac's flight critical components. "Zodiac Aerospace Services and AAR have worked closely for a long time. We are very excited about the potential of the new combined organization and look forward to benefiting from AAR's global footprint as well as its service to airlines and customers on Zodiac Water & Waste parts," said Guillaume Bunoz, EVP Product Management, Business Development & Marketing for Zodiac Aerospace Services. "AAR is excited to partner with Zodiac Aerospace. We expect this agreement to further enhance the customer service offered to customers worldwide, while maximizing sales opportunities for Zodiac Aerospace Services," said Eric Young, Senior Vice President, OEM Solutions, AAR. About Zodiac Aerospace & Zodiac Aerospace Services Zodiac Aerospace is a world leader in aerospace equipment and systems for commercial, regional and business aircraft, helicopters and spacecraft. It develops and manufactures state-of-the-art solutions to improve comfort and well-being on board aircraft, and high-technology systems to increase aircraft performance and flight safety. Since February 2018, Zodiac Aerospace is a Safran company. Zodiac Aerospace Services is the dedicated aftermarket and services organization of the Zodiac Aerospace Group. Committed to deliver the best performance and services, Zodiac Aerospace Services offers a global distribution network of spare parts and components, maintenance of equipment manufactured by the Zodiac Aerospace Group, customized support services for airline operators and dedicated technical support. Based in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, Zodiac Aerospace Services provides 24/7 AOG spare services to airlines and operators around the world. About AAR AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation Services include parts supply; OEM parts distribution; supply chain programs; customer fleet management and operations; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair. AAR's Expeditionary Services include mobility systems; command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions; and composite manufacturing operations. Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com. https://pilotonline.com/business/jobs/article_e8394965-e9d4-5c57-b849-57580d06b78d.html Back to Top Boeing signs maintenance deals with El Al Airlines, Lufthansa (Reuters) - Boeing Co signed a two-year maintenance deal with Israel's El Al Airlines on Wednesday, as it looks to boost its high-margin after-sales business that services planes bought by airlines and military customers. In addition, the world's biggest planemaker supplemented an existing contract with Germany's Lufthansa for the overhaul and exchange of landing gears for two 777-200F aircraft. Boeing did not disclose the value of the new contracts. The jet maker has been looking to boost revenue in its services business which involves jet maintenance, repair and overhaul, data analytics and pilot training. Boeing wants to eliminate the need for airlines to contract, schedule and manage the overhaul process through aircraft part suppliers, looking to more than triple revenue at its recently formed Boeing Global Services division to $50 billion in as little as five years. The deals are part of Boeing's expanded spares program, called Integrated Material Solution, which leverages the planemaker's scale with more than 12 million parts in inventory at more than 75 parts depots worldwide. https://whbl.com/news/articles/2018/oct/17/boeing-signs-maintenance-deals-with-el-al-airlines-lufthansa/ Back to Top JSSI Acquires S3 Aero Specialists ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NBAA-BACE -- Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the leading independent provider of maintenance support and financial services to the business aviation industry has acquired assets of S3 Aero Specialists, a leading provider of business aviation consulting services. This is the latest strategic acquisition for JSSI, following the May 2018 acquisition of aviation data specialists, Conklin & de Decker. S3 Aero Specialists offers clients more than 20 years of industry maintenance and operational expertise. The company specializes in aircraft appraisals, safety compliance, asset management and technical oversight. In connection with the acquisition, Richard Thompson, principal of S3 Aero Specialists, has been named director of JSSI Advisory Services and will be responsible for business development. "With this acquisition, we are gaining additional industry expertise and valuable, long-standing relationships. It will enable us to bring an even greater level of service and support to our clients seeking aircraft consulting services," said Jason Schwab, president of JSSI Advisory Services. "We are particularly excited to welcome Richard to the team as our eighth ASA-accredited appraiser. He is a business aviation veteran with a sterling reputation built over two decades in the industry. His deep aviation roots, in both rotor- and fixed-wing turbine aircraft, reflects his understanding of the entire life cycle of aircraft ownership and operations," added Schwab. "I have always admired JSSI's success in the market and their recent expansion into advisory services is a perfect add-on to a proven line of maintenance programs," commented Thompson. "I look forward to working with the JSSI team to grow this business and support our new and existing clients with additional amenities and exceptional JSSI service." Thompson has held a range of positions during his 25-year career in the aviation industry, including A&P technician, completion manager, service center manager, director of maintenance, consultant, and qualified appraiser and auditor. He holds a senior appraiser accreditation from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and is Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant as a senior appraiser. Thompson is also an accredited auditor for the International Business Aviation Council's (IBAC's) operations and aircraft handling safety standard programs, IS-BAO™ and IS-BAH™. He is a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association, National Business Aviation Association and Helicopter Association International. About Jet Support Services, Inc. For nearly 30 years, Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), has been the leading independent provider of maintenance programs to the aviation industry, covering virtually all makes and models of aircraft, engines, and APUs. JSSI provides its customers with comprehensive, flexible and affordable financial programs and tools for managing the often unpredictable costs of operating and maintaining business and commercial jets, turboprops and helicopters. As the creator of the revolutionary Tip-to-Tail® Program, JSSI is the only single source provider of this trademarked service. JSSI serves customers globally and manages maintenance services through its worldwide infrastructure of certified technical advisors. Other JSSI Services: • JSSI Parts gives clients the advantage of JSSI buying power and expertise as one of the largest purchasers of parts and maintenance services in the aviation industry. • Jet Engine Leasing offers engine and APU leasing solutions. JSSI owns several rental assets for hard-to-locate platforms and can source rental assets for almost anything that flies. • JSSI Advisory Services utilizes JSSI's technical expertise and global network to inspect aircraft, perform ASA-certified appraisals, assist with maintenance cost planning, manage maintenance events, and provide insurance claims management.JSSI's dedicated Asset Monitoring Platform (AMP) is available to aviation lenders as a tool to assist in the mitigation of risk and the management of financed aircraft. • Conklin & de Decker is a leader in aviation research, consulting and education. Its mission is to enable the general aviation industry to make more informed decisions when dealing with the purchase, operation and disposition of aircraft by furnishing objective and impartial information. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jssi-acquires-s3-aero-specialists-300731693.html Back to Top UTC Aerospace Systems and AMAC Aerospace to Provide Premier Nacelle Maintenance to Business Jet and VIP Aircraft Segment AMSTERDAM, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MRO Europe -- UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), announced today that it has been selected by AMAC Aerospace, a provider of business jet and VIP aircraft completion services, to offer nacelle maintenance. Under terms of the five-year agreement, UTC Aerospace Systems will provide global maintenance solutions including, tailored nacelle and engine build-up, and lease and exchange services. The collective expertise of UTC Aerospace Systems and AMAC Aerospace will create a best-in-class experience for business jet and VIP aircraft customers. This agreement enhances UTC Aerospace's presence in the business jet and VIP aircraft segment. Most recently, UTC Aerospace Systems announced that it has been selected by Dassault Aviation to provide an advanced nacelle system for its new Falcon 6X business jet. "This agreement will enable us to leverage our global MRO network and commercial aircraft experience for the business jet and VIP aircraft segment," said Aerostructures President Marc Duvall. "We are delighted to work with AMAC, the premier provider of business jet and VIP aircraft completion services. This powerful combination of AMAC Aerospace and UTC Aerospace systems will deliver compelling customer value." https://www.aviationpros.com/news/12433458/utc-aerospace-systems-and-amac-aerospace-to-provide-premier-nacelle-maintenance-to-business-jet-and-vip-aircraft-segment Back to Top MRO Insider Amplifies Network with StandardAero Add MRO Insider (Booth 4818) is celebrating its first anniversary with the addition of StandardAero to its list of subscribed facilities as the first international MRO subscriber. In its first year of operation, the company has added more than 100 maintenance locations and 400 corporate aircraft to its website. MRO Insider's site provides a free service that enables aircraft owners and operators to submit RFQs, search subscribed facility profiles, and read customer reviews when searching for MRO services. "StandardAero is delighted to become the first international MRO to support operators through MRO Insider's online maintenance quote portal," said Jason Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for StandardAero's airline and fleets business unit. According to the company, MRO Insider was developed as a solution to improve word-of-mouth referrals for aviation maintenance services. Those who elect to become subscribed maintenance facilities pay a monthly fee to have a profile page and quoting ability. Owners and operators can access the website for free to send required maintenance out for quote to multiple subscribed facilities within a desired radius. Then owners and operators can review quotes sent from facilities, read facility information, and examine customer reviews during their decision-making process. Once a facility is selected, owners and operators can accept the quote of their choice and are encouraged to review the service once completed on the website. "Adding StandardAero to our network strengthens and benefits our owners and operators in a big way," said Any Nixon, co-founder and vice president of sales for MRO Insider. "When searching for maintenance providers and obtaining quotes, our users will now be able to get responses from more facilities, with a larger geographic spread than ever before. When someone is AOG, the StandardAero network of mobile service teams will mean our third-party AOG search will likely solve their problem." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-10-17/mro-insider-amplifies-network-standardaero-add Back to Top Embry-Riddle Students Recognized Nationally with Scholarships Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students were recently honored with scholarships from two national organizations. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), through NBAA Charities, awarded scholarships to three Embry-Riddle students during its convention in Orlando this week. Two students from the Daytona Beach Campus, Estelle E. Jules, who is majoring in Air Traffic Management, and Jonathan Conod, who is majoring in Aviation Maintenance Science, were part of five who received the University Aviation Association (UAA) Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship. The scholarship is named for the late founder of Aviation Personnel International, who was active in the aviation community for decades and received NBAA's John P. "Jack" Doswell Award for her lifelong achievement in support of business aviation. Also at the NBAA convention, Christen Bailey, who is majoring in Aviation Business Administration, was one of five who received the Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship for demonstrating honesty, integrity and selflessness. The scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA Charities, along with the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio, to honor his outstanding personal contribution to business aviation. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston Airshow also recently honored Embry-Riddle students who are pursuing careers in aviation-related fields with scholarships. Addison Hemphill, who is majoring in Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle's Worldwide Campus, and Samuel Rice, who is majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle's Prescott Campus, received two of three scholarships awarded. The CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarship Program provides assistance to students who have completed two years of study in aviation or a related field and who demonstrate academic potential, leadership and extracurricular involvement. https://news.erau.edu/news-briefs/embryriddle-students-recognized-nationally-with-scholarships/ Back to Top ACI Jet Brings Additive Manufacturing to Maintenance Arm ACI Jet is implementing additive manufacturing capabilities within the maintenance arm of its business. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, allows parts and components to be produced through the addition of raw materials from a CAD rendering instead of by way of subtracting material. A hybrid material called Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is used in accordance with FAR Part 25.853 for aircraft components as it contains 10 percent flame-retardant additives. "As 3D printing has found its place in product development and mass production, its benefits to the maintenance and repair functions of private aviation have only recently started to take shape. The savings are twofold: time and money," said Brian Ford, avionics supervisor at ACI Jet. Like other components designed based upon engineering drawings, 3D-printed parts are also subject to a quality control process. "To have the capability to fabricate parts in accordance with engineering drawings in-house, and for duplication as needed, is fantastic. The actual fabrication process is automated while other work is being performed," said Ford. "We can also run prototypes for modifications and repairs on site, and for a fraction of the cost that comes with legacy fabrication methods." The company uses a LulzBot Mini 2 to complete the additive manufacturing process. ACI Jet has manufactured iPod charging mounts for cabin management systems in Bombardier Globals and Challengers. Additionally, the company has created molds for carbon-fiber outlet escutcheons for Challenger 604s along with other tooling applications. "We're always seeking to expand our capabilities, to get more done in-house to minimize downtime for our clients," said Dave Jensen, ACI Jet's vice president of aircraft maintenance. "Additive manufacturing was a great fit because we have the right minds, the right energy within our team, to think outside the box, in order to find solutions that save our clients time and money. It's a perfect fit and something that will definitely be the standard in maintenance hangars going forward." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-10-16/aci-jet-brings-additive-manufacturing-maintenance-arm Back to Top Rocket part found on Outer Banks beach belongs to Elon Musk's SpaceX, park confirms Elon Musk's rocket building company SpaceX has confirmed a large chunk of debris found Sunday on an Outer Banks beach is a part of one of its rockets. The National Park Service, which manages the beach where the debris was found, told the Charlotte Observer that SpaceX confirmed its suspicions about the 10-foot by 6-foot piece of metal Monday afternoon. "It is a 'rocket hardware'," said an email from Chief Ranger Boone Vandzura of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. "It's being handled appropriately." SpaceX told the Charlotte Observer the piece is from a Falcon 9 rocket. This year, it has launched 12 rockets from east coast launch pads at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a SpaceX spokesman said. The company also issued a statement Tuesday about the discovery. "SpaceX is working with the local authorities to recover the piece of hardware," said the release. "Thanks to the advances we've made in reusability, SpaceX is the only company capable of recovering our rocket boosters and spacecraft." It's the second time in 12 months that a piece of a SpaceX rocket has been found on an Outer Banks beach; the first instance was reported last October by the Virginian-Pilot. The Virginian-Pilot reported at the time that a 15-foot-long section of a SpaceX rocket was found on a beach near Hatteras Village. It was identified by the newspaper as part of the rocket's jettisoned nose cone. The piece discovered Sunday was found on Ocracoke Island by Chris Charlton and his wife, Angie Chris Langdon, of Currituck. The couple told the Charlotte Observer they saw it near Ramp 67, a popular tourist site within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The National Park Service told the Charlotte Observer it sent inquiries to the U.S. Coast Guard and SpaceX for help identifying the sheet of metal, which has serial numbers on it. SpaceX "designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft," according to the company's web site. National Park Service officials said the rocket section was so large and heavy that a front-end loader was needed to haul it off the beach to a storage site. The couple who found it speculate it may have been pushed ashore last week by storm surge from Tropical Storm Michael, which brought flooding to coastal counties and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Tropical storms and hurricanes often push debris ashore in the Carolinas. A collection of World War II armor-piercing projectiles and bullets was found by a volunteer firefighter on Topsail Island the first weekend of October, reported the Charlotte Observer. He believed Hurricane Florence washed the projectiles onto the beach. None of the objects were found to be explosive. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article220086845.html Curt Lewis