A painting technique to prevent cracking along structural joints that was recently patented by Embraer has been performed by Ruag MRO International on a Legacy 500 during a standard full exterior repainting of the aircraft. That makes Ruag MRO the Brazilian airframer’s first authorized service center to use the “game-changing” technique, according to the Switzerland-based MRO provider.
“Preserving an aircraft’s surface condition with a durable exterior finish is essential for continued airworthiness and operational reliability,” said Ruag MRO exterior sales manager Reinhard Imhoff. “Areas in need of exacting attention include the seams where two adjacent structural components come together. This new, anti-crack finish reinforcing system ensures a seamless, continuous, and stable finish.”
Embraer provided on-site training to Ruag MRO’s aircraft painting technical team on the technique that has been used on a number of aircraft since the patent was approved last year. The technique involves the use of a combination of joint sealants, fiber adhesives, and fiber composite materials.
The Legacy 500 exterior paint project was also a first for Ruag MRO on the type and was done at its Munich-Oberpfaffenhofen site for Bremen, Germany-based Atlas Air Service.
Trade Groups Warn of Online Charter Fraud
With air charter demand rising due to returning and new customers entering the market amidst Covid-19 concerns, the Air Charter Association (ACA) and EBAA are warning of increased online fraud.
As commercial aviation is greatly constrained currently, and with many travelers seeking to protect their health by limiting their public exposure, private charter has become an even more attractive option. And the two trade organizations noted that criminals are creating websites with images and information lifted from actual companies, including names, aircraft registrations, and even contract templates to fool potential customers.
“Alongside this rise in private jet charter, there has been an increase in fraudsters to steal money from unsuspecting travelers and criminals trying to enter the chain,” explained ACA CEO Dave Edwards. “They are paying significant amounts of money to get high Google Ad search engine ratings and funnel unsuspecting customers to these fake websites.”
EBAA COO Robert Balthus added, “Our advice for operators, brokers, and end-users is to be vigilant.” He suggested potential charter customers wait to book a private flight until they do research on the business they are working with to ensure it is legitimate. “Verify bank details before making payment transfers and above all, listen to your instincts and check with an independent source such as EBAA or the ACA. If it feels wrong, it invariably is.”
Bell Buys Chinese MRO Zhenjiang Aerochine Aviation
Bell is acquiring Zhenjiang Aerochine Aviation to increase its helicopter MRO capacity in China. A current Bell-authorized maintenance center, Zhenjiang will be renamed Zhenjiang Bell Textron Aviation Service.
Zhenjiang Bell is a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) authorized Part 145 repair station and the acquisition enables Bell to directly provide MRO services to operators in China for the company’s 407 and 206 helicopters, with plans to add all current production and legacy models such as the Bell 505, 429, and 412.
Approximately 200 Bell helicopters currently operate in China, and Bell expects that number to grow in the coming years. “The growing fleet in China warrants an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) MRO center, so we decided to further increase our investment in China,” said Michael Reagan, director of Bell international support and services. In addition to Zhenjiang, Bell also has a supply center in Shanghai and multiple authorized maintenance facilities in China providing MRO services.
Before being acquired by Bell, Zhenjiang had served as a Bell independent representative for 10 years. “The sale of the MRO operation is a vote of confidence and recognition of the company’s contribution in the China market. We will continue to work alongside Bell to serve our customers,” said Diana Chou, founder and chairman of Aerochine.
Garmin Adds TXi Compatibility for Meridian, SR22
Piper and Meridian and Cirrus SR20/22 owners now have the option of new functionality when installing Garmin’s G500 and G600 TXi flight displays.
For the Piper Meridian, operators can take advantage of Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engine display compatibility with the G500 and G600 TXi displays. Engine indication system (EIS) information fits on either the PFD or MFD TXi display, and for turbine-powered airplanes includes engine timers, exceedance recordings, dynamic engine indications, and wireless data logging.
When upgrading to the 10.6-inch TXi display, pilots can customize the layout of the multifunction display (MFD). With EIS information on a 20 percent strip on either side of the display, the pilot can select a moving-map for the remaining 80 percent, or split that into two panes, one with the moving-map and the other with an approach chart.
TXi displays are now compatible with Avidyne’s DFC90 autopilot, although Garmin is adding the SR22/22T to its GFC 500 approval list later this year. There are more new features with the TXi upgrade, such as automatic GPS-to-LOC switching when the displays are paired with a GTN series navigator and GFC 500 autopilot; fuel quantity display for up to six fuel tanks and compatibility with CiES fuel sensors; vacuum gauge for aircraft with vacuum pumps; and configuration of TXi EIS bar gauges to display a digital value for pistons.
Elliott Aviation has expanded its AOG capabilities to include Textron Aviation (Hawker, Beechcraft King Air, and Cessna Citation) and Embraer and Legacy aircraft, the Moline, Illinois-based MRO provider announced this week. Demand for services on those airframes prompted Elliott to add those capabilities to its AOG services, which previously were only marketed for the Phenom 100 and 300.
“For over a year, we’ve been successfully assisting AOG customers for Phenom 100 and 300,” said Elliott’s v-p of maintenance, paint, and interior sales Michael Parrish. “Based on the success of that program, we’re happy to increase our capabilities to other airframe operators.”
Elliott’s AOG maintenance and avionics technicians are factory trained. They comprise teams based in Moline; Des Moines, Iowa; and Minneapolis, that are also available for regional and national AOG events based on availability. Additionally, they are able to manage warranty considerations internally.
Australian Airport Opens New Second Runway
Australia’s Brisbane Airport (BNE), the main gateway to the country’s Queensland region, has inaugurated its second runway. Possessing the first 100 percent LED “Cat 1” lighting system in the Southern Hemisphere, the 10,826-foot long privately-funded runway project was completed at a cost of $764,170,000 (AUD$1.1 billion), nearly as much as the cost of the entire airport when it was purchased by the Brisbane Airport Corp. (BAC) in 1997.
The runway opened on Sunday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the landing of vintage aircraft, and an aerobatics display over the airport that temporarily ceased operations, marking the culmination of eight years of construction.
As a major “Down Under” entry port and commercial airline hub, the airport saw an average of approximately 50,000 passengers daily before the Covid-19 pandemic, a number that dropped by more than 97 percent during the country’s border lockdown. Since then, as domestic travel has begun to rebound, that number has risen to just more than 16,000 passengers daily.
Speaking at the opening, BAC CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said he viewed the runway as more than just an expensive strip of asphalt. “I see hope because that means I believe absolutely that travel is at the heart of modern society, and the human need to explore means that ultimately nothing will keep us grounded forever,” he said.
Mecaer Gets EASA Mx Approval for Philadelphia Base
Italian MRO provider Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG) has received EASA certification for its Philadelphia Part 145 rotorcraft repair station. According to the corporate aircraft specialist, the European authorization expands its support offerings, that include maintenance inspections; airworthiness management such as pre- and post-buy inspections; refurbishments, upgrades and modifications (including paint, avionics and mission systems); cabin interior completions; electronics; and preparation for shipment.
According to a Mecaer spokesman, the company handles many foreign-registered helicopters at the Pennsylvania location, either being imported into the U.S. for sale or while being transitioned to a different operating area.
“Our added capability to support helicopter fleets marks a strategic milestone in our plan to better serve our customers,” said president Massimo Pugnali, adding the certification ensures the company can support maintenance needs of European-registered aircraft entering the U.S. “Whether the need is aircraft repairs or installations of our cabin comfort systems, MAG’s Philadelphia facility is fully-equipped to address our customers’ needs.”
Zeusch Aviation Earns CAMO Certificate
Netherlands-based aerial services provider Zeusch Aviation has taken a step closer to earning its air operator certificate (AOC) by adding the first of four aircraft to its new continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) certificate. The Beechcraft King Air C90A will be joined under the CAMO by a B200 Super King Air, followed by another C90A and B200 within the next year.
Zeusch provides the aircraft for broadcast relay services, aerial surveillance, medevac and transplant flights, and aerial mapping. The CAMO program enables it to manage all elements of the airworthiness of its aircraft, including maintenance schedules and valid certificates. “By taking airworthiness management in-house and establishing our own CAMO certificate, we are no longer dependent on a third-party CAMO service for which we are not the sole customer,” said Zeusch managing director Herman van Kranenburg.
The company also hired Danny van Leperen to manage the CAMO, steps of which go toward the company earning its AOC. “We have the AOC in our sights and are focused on developing the necessary personnel, assets, and safety management systems to reach this goal,” van Kranenburg added.
Fight Data Shows Bizav Recovering Ahead of Airline Traffic
The U.S. July 4 holiday weekend provided a revealing snapshot as to what is happening in the business aviation and airline sectors. However, data from FlightAware also gives a complete picture of how traffic is recovering at different rates, not just geographically but also in terms of the size and type of aircraft involved.
Requires a measurement of the trunnion nut torque of the cabin pressure control system's V-band clamp, an inspection of the safety valve and airplane bulkhead flange area for any cracking and deformations, and any necessary corrective actions. Prompted by a report that certain safety valves at the left- and right-hand sides of the cabin pressure control system were not installed correctly and that the trunnion nuts used to fasten the V-band clamp were over-torqued.
Requires replacement of certain high-pressure turbine discs with serviceable parts and prohibits reinstallation of affected parts. Prompted by positive segregation (freckles) detected on Stage 2 high-pressure turbine discs manufactured from a certain block of material. If not corrected, this condition could lead to high-pressure turbine disc failure and result in high-energy debris release, with consequent damage to and reduced control of the helicopter.
Requires an update to the airplane flight manual to reflect FMS and IRS limitations to outdated MagVar tables inside navigation systems, resulting in the presentation of misleading magnetic heading references on the primary and multifunction displays and positioning the airplane outside of the terrain and obstacle protection provided by instrument flight procedures and flight route designs.
Requires modifying the wiring of the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) connector. Prompted by a report of wiring of the AHRS contrary to approved design specifications.
Requires a one-time inspection to determine if an affected nose landing gear (NLG) fork is installed, repetitive inspections of the affected NLG fork for cracks, repetitive inspections of the shimmy damper bracket for looseness and of the shimmy damper system for damaged components if an affected NLG fork is installed, and rework/replacement of parts as necessary. Prompted by reports of cracks found in certain NLG forks.
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