Textron Aviation, WSU, IAM Form Apprenticeship Program

Wichita-based Textron Aviation has teamed up with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and WSU Tech to develop a collaborative apprenticeship program that is designed to ensure a long-term flow of skilled production tooling specialists.

The first of its kind in the region, the two-year apprenticeship program encompasses both factory and classroom training to develop a range of skills involved with the design, build, and maintenance of production tooling, including everything from specialized hand-held tools to large jig assemblies that support aircraft parts and assemblies. Under the program, participants typically will train at WSU Tech for two days, while spending three days with assigned mentors at Textron Aviation facilities in South Central Kansas.

While participating in the program, apprentices will receive salary and benefits from Textron Aviation, as well as coverage for related tuition and fees at WSU Tech. Upon completion of the program, participants will earn a tooling associate of applied sciences degree from WSU Tech and become full-time Textron Aviation employees.  

“This program is another example of the innovation and disciplined business practices of the people of Kansas that have made us a global aerospace leader,” said Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who visited the manufacturer for yesterday’s announcement.

Singapore Outlines COVID-19 Measures for Bizav

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has laid out a series of requirements for business aircraft to enter the country amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak around the globe. Starting at 11:59 p.m. local time tomorrow, all air crew and passengers have to make a health declaration before being permitted to depart Singapore.

If a crew member or passenger is declared unwell, the flight will be instructed to be operated as a medevac flight. Symptoms that qualify for a medevac flight include a fever of 37.5 degrees C (99.5 degrees F) or pneumonia or respiratory symptoms of any degree of severity, including cough, runny nose, sore throat, and shortness of breath.

All patients arriving on medevac flights are required to test negative for COVID-19 at the departing country before they are permitted to fly to Singapore and must have a hospital in Singapore to receive them. With the exception of Singaporeans and permanent residents, the country will turn away flights with passengers on non-medevac flights who exhibit fever or other symptoms of respiratory illness upon arrival.

Any false declaration will be prosecuted under Singapore law and violators could face fines or jail. The measures come soon after an Indonesian man was found to be COVID-19 positive after landing at Seletar Airport, highly likely arriving there on a business jet.

Duncan Aviation Builds Up AOG Teams

Duncan Aviation is increasing its dedicated aircraft-on-ground (AOG) teams at its main facilities, the MRO provider announced this week.

In Lincoln, Nebraska, Duncan has assembled a team of eight airframe rapid response technicians with more than 150 years of combined experience. That team will travel either by road or air and bring the necessary tools and supplies to the aircraft. “The team is capable of going on road trips just about anywhere with a moment’s notice,” said Tyler Spurling, Lincoln AOG airframe team leader.

At its Battle Creek, Michigan facility, Duncan Aviation’s AOG team includes six technicians, including four airframe experts, an engine technician, and an avionics technician. The team, which collectively has 130 years of experience with Duncan Aviation, cross-trains when possible and five are FAR 91.411/413 certified, permitting them to work on altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment tests and inspections, as well as handle a variety of avionics AOG services. “The team has three vehicles for road trips, two portable mules, and an Air Data tester, so plenty can be handled without impacting a customer’s hangar,” said Battle Creek team leader Forrest Ferdon.

In Provo, Utah,  Duncan has two technicians: Tyson Bowers for airframe AOG and Brad Lindsey for avionics AOG.

AFV Partners Buys RocketRoute

Private-equity firm AFV Partners today acquired UK-based business aviation flight-planning, fuel, concierge, and marketplace services provider RocketRoute for an undisclosed amount from Alyssum Holdings. Alyssum, which bought RocketRoute in February 2018, filed for administration last month and retained Hilco Streambank to manage offers for its holdings in Fly Victor and RocketRoute.

Argyle, Texas-based AFV Partners last year acquired Aircraft Performance Group, which provides aircraft performance, weight and balance, and flight planning software solutions. It now plans to “leverage APG and RocketRoute’s core offerings to create a seamlessly-integrated weight and balance, runway analysis, flight-planning, and services platform for the global aviation market,” said AFV Partners chairman and CEO Tony Aquila.

According to AFV Partners, the addition of RocketRoute brings access to new flight planning capabilities that will enhance APG’s latest app, iPreFlight Genesis, with particular focus on European routing and filing. “Our customer-product roadmap will be greatly accelerated by working directly with the RocketRoute team, who shares our commitment to serving the global market with apps and services that enhance safety, security, and efficiency,” said APG CEO Mike Caflisch.

RocketRoute was co-founded in 2010 by Uwe Nitsche and Justin Coelho, and the pair will continue in their leadership roles at the company under AFV Partners’ ownership.

FAA SAFO Advises Checks on PT6A Engines

A recent FAA Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) is warning about a potential installation issue with reversing levers (beta arms) and related components on Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines. The SAFO advises maintenance personnel and facilities to verify that the beta arm and guide pin are correctly installed, and, if not, fixed.

The SAFO stemmed from the investigation of a 2015 accident in which a Beech 1900C crashed after losing propeller thrust during takeoff. Both pilots and two passengers died in the crash. The Part 91 repositioning flight was the first since the replacement of the left engine propeller with an overhauled propeller on the Beech regional turboprop twin.

“The accident investigation revealed a safety issue concerning the possibility of incorrectly installed reversing levers (beta arms) and related components in PT6A engines,” the FAA said in the SAFO. “If the beta arm is not installed and positioned such that it is secured under its guide pin, the unsecured linkage could release oil pressure in the beta valve and cause uncommanded travel of the propeller to the feather position.”

During its investigation, the agency discovered five events involving incorrect positioning of the beta arm in a PT6A engine and each occurred within 100 flight hours after the maintenance of the beta arm or related components. In one case, the guide pin was installed backward.

C&L Aviation Gets Transport Canada Mx Approval

C&L Aviation Service has received Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) approval to perform maintenance services on Canadian-registered commercial aircraft, including those used for air charter. The company performs depot-level maintenance from its FAA- and EASA-approved, 140,000-sq-ft Part 145 maintenance facility in Bangor, Maine.

“Having the TCCA authorization in place is great news for our Canadian customers,” said C&L Aviation Group CEO Chris Kilgour. “We already provide parts and component repairs to our Canadian customers, so having the ability to perform quality maintenance on their aircraft here in Maine is a natural fit.”

In addition to regional jets and turboprops, the company focuses on several business aircraft types, including the Bombardier Challenger 604/605, Hawker 800 series, Cessna Citation, and Beechjet 400A.

In other news, C&L Aviation also announced a $10 million expansion plan. It is in the early stages of adding another hangar in Bangor and recently completed a parts warehouse facility in Austin, Texas, where it is now housing newly acquired Bombardier Global Express/XRS, 5000, 5500, 6000, and 6500 parts inventory.

VoltAero’s Hybrid Electric Cassio Makes First Flight

VoltAero yesterday achieved first flight with its Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft, and is looking to fast track type certification of the nine-seater by the end of 2021 and be ready to make first deliveries in early 2022. The first flight at VoltAero’s headquarters at Medis in western France took place around two weeks ahead of schedule.

The Cassio, which is similar in design to a Cessna 337 Skymaster, is intended for roles such as private transportation and air-taxi flights. It is powered by a pair of 80-hp Safran ENGINeUS 45 electric motors with forward-facing propellers and three 80-hp Emrax electric motors driving a rear pusher prop. The aircraft also has a 402-hp internal combustion engine (based on a Nissan V6 design) that recharges the battery pack and provides redundancy and supplementary power.

With hybrid electric power, the fixed-wing Cassio is expected to have a maximum flight duration of up to three and a half hours and a cruise speed of around 200 knots. In all-electric mode, it should be able to fly for up to 30 minutes, including takeoff and landing.

VoltAero was founded in 2018 by former Airbus chief technology officer Jean Botti and technical director Didier Esteyne, who together helped to lead Airbus’s E-Fan electric aircraft program.

This story comes from AIN's FutureFlight.aero resource to provide coverage of new aviation technology.

AIM Readies To Open Mx Training Campus in Virginia

The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) will host a grand opening of its 109,000-sq-ft Hampton Roads campus in Norfolk, Virginia, and is partnering with area secondary schools that will allow 11th and 12th graders to take courses and earn credit at AIM. Through the partnerships with Hampton City Schools’ Academies of Hampton and Norfolk Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education, students can earn up to 19 credit hours by the time they graduate that will transfer to AIM programs. They’ll also earn two FAA certifications in UAS piloting and general aviation.

"Aviation Institute of Maintenance is proud to make Norfolk home,” said campus executive director Ashley Oden. “We’ve been so warmly welcomed by the community in our new location and look forward to celebrating with our friends and neighbors as we cut the ribbon.”

The grand opening will be held on March 17. On a tour of the campus to be held during the grand opening, AIM will feature two of its newest airplane additions: a Cessna 421 and a Sabreliner 80. Hampton Academies and Women in Aviation-Southeastern Virginia chapter were responsible for the Sabreliner donation. As part of the partnership with Hampton Academies, AIM will provide awareness of aviation careers, hands-on training, and pathways to industry certifications for students, as well as additional training for Hampton Academies teachers.

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