ST Engineering approved to install ACA air purification on Airbus A320s

Photo credit: ST Engineering

The Commercial Aerospace business of ST Engineering received the Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML-STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install Aviation Clean Air (ACA)’s cabin air purification solution on Airbus platforms. With the certification, ST Engineering can install the Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) System, neutralizing pathogens and purifying air in cabin interiors during flight operations on Airbus A320/A321 aircraft.

The system can stop the spread of up to 99.9% of airborne and surface pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The NPBI process also removes odors, dust, and pollen; prevents mold; neutralizes common industrial gases; and reduces static electricity.

“By combining our MRO and engineering expertise with ACA’s patented purification system, we aim to provide this proven and low-maintenance solution to support the return to flying,” says Tan Yen Ping, vice president and head, Cabin Interior and Engineering Solutions, ST Engineering.

Flying Colours gets sales, installation agreement with SmartSky

Photo credit Flying Colours

International maintenance, repair, overhaul, and completions company Flying Colours Corp. agreed to be a sales and installation facility for North Carolina-based SmartSky Networks’ air-to-ground connectivity equipment.

The advanced antennas and aircraft base radio will be available through Flying Colours’ Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and St. Louis, Missouri, locations.

The continued strengthening of the business aviation sector is driving greater use of connected services for avionics, aircraft health monitoring, and cabin WiFi, increasing the demand for inflight connectivity.

Flying Colours, which specializes in business aircraft, will provide the entire shipset through SmartSky’s Early Arrival promotion. https://www.flyingcolourscorp.com; https://smartskynetworks.com/earlyarrivalprogram

AMETEK MRO Drake Air is an authorized repair center

The Hughes-Treitler business within AMETEK Aerospace & Defense named Drake Air an authorized repair center for all Hughes-Treitler commercial products, approved to solicit repair business globally. Drake Air now has exclusive access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) documentation, technical support, and materials to support customers flying with Hughes-Treitler products.

“The AMETEK Hughes-Treitler product line has a strong suite of thermal management products deployed across commercial and military platforms,” says David Bentley, divisional vice president and business manager, Drake Air. “This partnership will enable our ability to further expand into new markets and strengthen the AMETEK presence.”

AMETEK MRO Drake Air is an AS9100/9110-certified MRO Center of Excellence with capabilities to fabricate, manufacture, and repair aluminum and high temperature alloys. It specializes in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of heat transfer components including heat exchangers, precoolers, oil coolers, and fuel heaters for commercial, regional, general aviation, military, and rotor wing aircraft. https://www.ametekmro.com; https://www.ametektms.com; https://www.ametekmro.com/about- ametek-mro/divisions/drake-air

Growing demand for aviation maintenance personnel at commercial space firms

Program leaders at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University credit the commercial space boom – with its increase in private aerospace companies, rocket launches, and space tourism – for at least 16 students from the school’s Aviation Maintenance Science (AMS) program hired at SpaceX and Blue Origin within the past six years.

Industry demand for aviation maintenance technicians is higher than ever, corresponding with a projected shortage of both technicians and pilots during the next two decades. According to Boeing’s Pilot & Technician Outlook 2021-2040, 612,000 new civil aviation pilots and 626,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed to fly and maintain the world fleet within the next 20 years, even after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial space firms are only adding to that projected need. https://erau.edu