The 2015 Aerospace Maintenance Competition, with 39 teams from seven countries, had a new venue this year, MRO Americas in Miami, FL Next year’s event will be held in Dallas,TX, during the MRO Americas on April 5 - 7, 2016. Here are this year’s winners:
Commercial Aviation Category
1st Place: Southwest Airlines
2nd Place: Air China Airlines
3rd Place: Alaska Airlines
Space Category
1st Place: Virgin Galactic
General Aviation Category
1st Place: Flight Options
School Category
1st Place: Salt Lake Community College Team Yellow
2nd Place: Indian Hills Community College
3rd Place: Utah State University
Military Category
1st Place: New Zealand Air Force
2nd Place: United States Army
3rd Place: United States Coast Guard
MRO/OEM Category
1st Place: FedEx Team Indianapolis
2nd Place: Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA)
3rd Place: Boeing
International Commercial Aviation Category
1st Place: Air China
2nd Place: China Southern Airlines
3rd Place: China Eastern Airlines
William F. "Bill" O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance
FedEx Team Indianapolis (This team had the lowest score from among all 39 teams that competed.)
Charles E. Taylor Professional AMT Award
Brandon Dubberly, a student from Eastern Florida State College, was chosen from among the AMC competitors for displaying the most professional attitude, appearance, and team spirit.
PurePower Geared Turbofan wins Gold Edison Award
Pratt & Whitney's PurePower Geared Turbofan engine has been awarded Gold in the transportation - aviation category of the 2015 Edison Awards. The Edison Awards, inspired by Thomas Edison's persistence and inventiveness, recognize innovation, creativity and ingenuity in the global economy. The PurePower engine family has completed more than 17,000 hours and 32,000 cycles of full engine testing, including 4,000 hours of flight time and the PW1100G-JM engine is expected to enter into service on the Airbus A320neo aircraft later this year. Five aircraft platforms using the GTF engine have been launched including the Mitsubishi MRJ, Airbus A320neo, Bombardier CSeries, Embraer E-Jets E2, and Irkut MC-21.
New academy in Singapore
Baltic Aviation Academy expands its training capabilities in Asian market by establishing BAA Singapore training base. In cooperation with partners, China-based aerospace company Haite Group, BAA Singapore is ready to provide Pilot Type Rating, Cabin Crew and Ground Handling training to Asia, Pacific and MENA markets. Baltic Aviation Academy is a well known EASA standard aviation training provider for Europe, CIS, Asia, Pacific and MENA aviation markets. BAA Singapore is located at the brand new Singapore Training Centre where at the moments are set two, 7000 Series Full Flight Simulators: B737NG and A320 plus Integrated Procedures Trainer. Five more simulators will follow. The facility spans over 21,000 square meters. on six stories.
AAR receives Bell Helicopter contract (image)
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. awarded AAR Defense Systems & Logistics business unit a contract providing warehouse and logistics services in support of upgrading T64 engines for the Bell V-280 Valor technical demonstrator aircraft. The two-year agreement is the first between the global aerospace and defense contractor AAR and Bell Helicopter, producer of commercial and military aircraft. AAR will support this effort from its logistics operation located in Havelock, NC.. The company’s DS&L group has inventory and sales offices strategically located around the globe and operates warehouse facilities near several U.S. military bases. It offers integrated supply chain management services solutions as part of AAR’s Aviation Services group and provides support to the U.S. government and its allies.
Superior Acquires Gemini
Superior Aviation Group has acquired the Gemini Diesel engine and has begun active development of the current engines, as well as planning the introduction of new models. Due to its unique, uniflow design featuring two-opposing-pistons-per-cylinder, the Gemini will be smaller than many current gasoline and diesel piston engines, giving it a significant power-to-weight ratio advantage and making it especially attractive to the experimental and LSA markets initially.
Textron launches Top Hawk program (image)
Textron Aviation launches Top Hawk, a partnership with U.S. university aviation schools. Top Hawk will provide students access to industry-leading aircraft, coupled with a unique internship opportunity during the summer of 2015. Universities selected as the initial partner schools are, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Kansas State University, Liberty University and the University of North Dakota. Through Top Hawk, Cessna will provide partner schools full use of a branded Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft for the remainder of 2015. Partner schools will use the aircraft for flight training, recruiting and promotional activities. In addition, one student from each school will participate in Textron Aviation’s internship program in cooperation with the Textron Aviation Employees Flying Club. During the summer internship, students will get exposure to business operations, lead ground school classes, and continue to build flight hours through flying lessons and discovery flights. At the end of the summer, the interns will participate in a flying competition through which one aviator will be named Top Hawk.
Continental diesels approved for Piper
Continental Motors Group Ltd. receives the validation of its European supplemental type certificate (STC) by the FAA for the Piper PA28 family of aircraft powered by the jet fuel diesel cycle engines CD-135 (99 kw, 135 hp) and CD-155 (114 kw, 155 hp). The STC includes the Piper PA-28 models PA28-140, PA28-150, PA28-151, PA28-161, PA28-161 Warrior II, PA28-161 Warrior III, PA28-161 Cadet, and PA28-180. The FAA validation of the European STC, completed in partnership with Piper Aircraft will allow the direct conversion and certification of aircraft to Continental Motors’ industry leading diesel power plants in the United States.
Cessna Caravan turns 30th
Cessna Aircraft Company is kicking off a celebration of the 30th anniversary of initial deliveries of its Caravan 208 single-engine utility turboprop. Later this year, the company expects to deliver its 2,500th Caravan, and the fleet is now certified in 100 countries with more than 13 million flight hours amassed. Cessna currently offers four Caravan models: the Caravan, the Grand Caravan EX, the Caravan Amphibian and the Grand Caravan EX Amphibian.
Honeywell offers new maintenance tool
Honeywell Aerospace introduces an online tool to help airlines better manage maintenance to reduce aircraft downtime and increase operational efficiency. The Performance Accelerator is an interactive and customizable catalogue of Honeywell service bulletins and upgrade options. It's a one-stop resource for airline fleet management and includes full 3-D renderings of the 20 most widely used commercial aircraft platforms, with up-to-date information specific to each aircraft. It helps airlines calculate potential fuel, maintenance, operational, and safety cost savings from service bulletin incorporation, as well as from new modifications and upgrades. The tool was designed to be accessible and easy to use. It includes an intuitive search function and a user-friendly interface.
