FACC is exclusive Airbus Airspace XL bins distributor

Aircraft components and systems manufacturer FACC has obtained a multi-year agreement with Airbus Services company Satair for exclusive global distribution of Airspace XL overhead stowage bins, entrance area and ceiling panels, and related spare parts for Airbus A320 aircraft. Airspace XL bins can hold up to 60% more luggage than previous storage compartments.

Satair supplier support for FACC will cover spares-related activities.

Andreas Furthmayr, FACC vice president cabin interiors, says, “By using innovative fiber composite materials and new manufacturing technologies, we’re able to create products for the aircraft cabin that contribute to consistent weight optimization.”

GE gets JAL CFM56-7B services agreement

Japan Airlines (JAL) officials signed a 5-year TrueChoice Overhaul agreement for the CFM International CFM56-7B engines that power 48 JAL Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The agreement covers the time and material required to overhaul more than 100 CFM56-7B engines.

CFM International is a GE and Safran Aircraft Engines 50/50 joint company.

GE previously provided maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and material for JAL’s GE90, GEnx-1B, CF34-8E and -10E, and CF6-80C2 engines.

“The TrueChoice Overhaul agreement with JAL is a natural extension of our relationship,” says GE Aviation Services President and CEO Russell Stokes.

TrueChoice engine maintenance offerings incorporate capabilities and customization across an engine’s life cycle, each underpinned by GE Aviation’s data analytic capabilities and experience to reduce maintenance burden and service disruptions.

Photo credit: Snap-on

The Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) presented by Snap-on is scheduled to return April 25-28, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. The annual competition for aircraft maintenance professionals and aspiring students was cancelled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re very happy to be back hosting the AMC and hope that teams from around the world can join us in showcasing their maintenance and troubleshooting skills,” says AMC Chairman Ken MacTiernan.

The AMC provides certified airline, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) maintenance technicians, military personnel, and students in FAA Part 147 schools the chance to test their skills against peers.

Participants compete in more than 20 events, including airframe damage inspection, cable rigging, fiber optics, and engine fan blade removal that test their knowledge, skill, and teamwork. The team with the overall best score takes home the William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. In 2019, the 5-member team from United Airlines Team Cleveland won the O’Brien Award for the third straight year.

Additionally, Snap-on is awarding more than $75,000 in tools and equipment to the top finishers in the competition.

Photo credit: Michelin Aircraft Tires

Michelin Aircraft Tires, partnering with Hope Aero, has secured a new agreement for Canadian independent, low-cost air carrier Flair Airlines.

Hope Aero – with locations in Mississauga, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba – will provide brake and wheel service and Michelin will provide tires for the entire Flair Airlines fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

“With aircraft safety as a top priority for Hope Aero and Michelin, this contract will provide a wheel, brake, and tire package for the extreme conditions for load and speed which airline landings endure,” says Joel Chlan of Hope Aero.

Flair Airlines, based in Edmonton, Alberta, is growing to serve 20 cities across Canada and five cities in the United States.

Photo credit: US Air Force

Collins Aerospace wins U-2 sensor contracts

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) awarded Collins Aerospace an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) sustainment contract with a ceiling value of $493 million to support the USAF’s fleet of U-2 electro-optical/infrared sensors. The USAF also awarded Collins a $66.2 million task order for the first year of support and fully negotiated options for the second and third years of services and support valued at $114.6 million.

Collins Aerospace has supported U-2 aircraft intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets for more than 60 years.

Aircraft, engines, and landing gears trading, leasing, and part-out company APOC has opened a new stock hub in Miami, Florida, to provide local markets with faster access to Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737NG components.

The Miami hub lets Netherlands-based APOC offer spare parts and manage logistics with overnight truck deliveries, avoiding expensive air freight and potential customs complications. Miami is also the traditional gateway for Caribbean and Central and South American airlines.

APOC will be looking closely at developments in Miami and strengthening its sales team.

“Additional warehouses will be considered as part of our initiative in North America,” says APOC Vice President - Operations Karim Grinate.

Air Transport Services Group Inc. subsidiary Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services Inc. has a multi-year agreement to provide additional heavy maintenance capacity for United Airlines. Airborne will provide heavy maintenance support for United’s Boeing 767 wide-body fleet and the airline’s Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A320 narrow-body fleets. The work will be performed at Airborne’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Wilmington, Ohio and Tampa, Florida.

The agreement brings this portion of United’s maintenance work to Airborne from other MROs and is expected to fill three heavy maintenance lines in Wilmington and four heavy maintenance lines in Tampa.

Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services operates separately certified repair stations offering 320,000ft² of hangar space in Tampa, and 315,000ft² of hangar space in Wilmington. Services at Tampa are performed by subsidiary Pemco World Air Services Inc.