Checking In

Eight Graduate from Okuma Service Apprentice Program
Eight individuals have completed a 33-week program sponsored by York Technical College and Okuma America Corp.

Of the eight graduates, two will be working for Okuma America and the others will work for Okuma’s distribution network. Two will be with The Robert E. Morris Group, one will be working for Gosiger West, another will be employed with Morris South, the other two will work for Morris-Midwest and Hartwig.

For more than 23 years, Okuma America Corp. has sponsored more than 100 students in the apprentice program. This particular program consisted of 33 weeks of classes, hands-on training, and working at Okuma America Corp. where the students learned to install options and rebuild spindles. okuma.com

Airbus Completes First THAI A380
The first A380 for Thai Airways Int’l recently rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg, Germany, bearing the airline’s distinctive livery.

This marks the completion of the painting and cabin installation work on the aircraft, which will now enter a final phase of ground and flight tests in Hamburg. During this phase of production, thorough testing of all cabin systems will occur, including air flow and air conditioning, lighting, galleys, lavatories, seats, and in-flight entertainment. In parallel, Airbus will also undertake advanced general performance tests with the aircraft before it flies to Toulouse in preparation for delivery to the airline in the third quarter of the year. airbus.com

Silent Eagle Completes Wind Tunnel Testing
Boeing engineers recently completed wind tunnel tests on the Silent Eagle Conformal Weapons Bay (CWB). The tests, conducted at the company’s St. Louis, MO, facility, validated the aerodynamics of the CWB design. CWBs are integral to the adaptable configuration and balanced survivability of the Silent Eagle.

“Boeing and its partners have advanced to the next phase in the development of the Silent Eagle, an evolved derivative of the combat-proven F-15 family of aircraft,” says Roger Besancenez, F-15 program vice president, Boeing.

Boeing is partnering with Korea Aerospace Industries to design, develop, and manufacture the CWB. The Silent Eagle is Boeing’s offer in the F-X competition for the Republic of Korea’s multirole fighter aircraft. boeing.com

Rolls-Royce Awarded £100 Million in Support Contracts
Rolls-Royce has secured contract extensions, which will see the company provide ongoing support for engines on the UK’s C-130 Hercules transport and VC10 tanker fleets. The contracts are worth almost £100 million to Rolls-Royce.

Following this amendment, the Hercules Integrated Operational Support (HIOS) contract, which is delivered jointly by Rolls-Royce, Marshall Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, will provide support for the C-130 fleet until 2015.

Paul Craig, Rolls-Royce, executive vice president services – defence, comments: “This contract amendment is testimony to the standard of service delivered to-date and reflects the value we offer to our customer. We take pride in supporting the Royal Air Force’s fleet of C-130s and in our successful partnership with Lockheed Martin, Marshall Aerospace and the Ministry of Defence.” rolls-royce.com