March 2014 - www.avitrader.com TRADING PLACES Lessors take on the aftermarket Company Profile of Aerostar Latest MRO News from around the world People on the Move latest appointments IBA Analysis Editor‘s Page 2 Conundrum of flight MH370 Since Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 went miss- to speculation the flight had crashed somewhere officials said some people with reservations never ing in the early hours of Saturday 8 March, the between Vietnam and China. checked in and were simply replaced by standby mystery behind the whereabouts of the Boeing passengers, and no baggage was removed. 777 led to confusion and discrepancies over time The government said on the day of the plane’s dis- and its last position. appearance that there were indications it attempt- A report in the Wall Street Journal had claimed that ed to turn back, but didn’t say what they were. US investigators believed the plane had flown for up The entire aviation world went into a mind-bog- After days of confusion and suggestions authorities to five hours, based on data allegedly transmitted to gling frenzy. The accounts from Malaysian authori- were looking in the wrong place, military officials Rolls-Royce, the British engine manufacturers. ties and others involved in the search operation then explained that they had spotted images of and investigation into flight MH370 were particu- what might be the plane on air defence radar re- No doubt it will be a challenging investigation larly confusing and, in some cases, contradictory. cordings indicating it might have turned around, and the industry will have much to learn from but they were inconclusive. this incident. As observed by the Associated Press, Malaysia Airlines initially said the Boeing 777 lost contact Officials initially said four or five passengers had Happy reading! with air traffic control at 2:40 a.m. after about checked in for the flight but did not board, and two hours in the air. It later said contact was lost their luggage had to be taken off the plane before at 1:30 a.m., as data on flight tracking websites it departed for Beijing. This fuelled speculation that Keith Mwanalushi had been showing. The incorrect time report led terrorism might have caused the crash. However, Editor Published monthly by AviTrader Publications Corp. 11340 Kestrel Drive Richmond, British Columbia Canada V7E 4E2 Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (424) 644-6996 www.avitrader.com Editorial Keith Mwanalushi, Editor Email: [email protected] Mobile: +44 (0) 7871 769 151 Design Volker Dannenmann, Layout & Design Email: [email protected] Lessors are seeking maximum return on their assets Photo: Boeing Mobile: +34 657 218706 Advertising inquiries Contents Jenny Falk MRO and Production News . 4 Head of Sales & Marketing Email: [email protected] Other News . 12 Tel: +49 (0) 8761 346007 Cover Story: Trading places – Lessors take on the aftermarket . ..... 14 Finance News . 18 Registration Information Technology . 20 AviTrader MRO is a subscription-free monthly publication. To receive a copy in your inbox Company Profile: Aerostar . 21 every month, please send an email with the Industry Interview: In the hot seat... Mike Cazaz CEO, Werner Aero Services . 23 subject “subscribe” to oemmro@avitrader com IBA Analysis . 25 Independent Consortiums . 31 Opinion People on the Move . 34 Please send your comments and queries to [email protected] AviTrader MRO - March 2014 Responsive MONARCH AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING (MAEL) is acutely aware of the damage a grounded aircraft can do to an airline’s reputation and pro tability. That’s why we created a Specialised Monarch AOG Response Team (SMART), a team of respected and highly quali ed engineers available 24/7, operating 365 days a year. The SMART job? To y anywhere in the world and meet with the grounded aircraft. Our engineers are armed with the necessary tools, equipment and experience to return aircraft to service in the safest, most cost effective way. This coupled with our ability to provide global spares support, including install and test means MAEL delivers the ultimate solution. What better response could you get? The standard for excellence [email protected] | monarchaircraftengineering.com | +44(0)1582 398644 MRO and Production News 4 plete propulsion system, on Honeywell’s behalf, directly to the airframe end customer assembly line for business jets such as the G280 as well as the Bombardier CL350 and the Embraer Legacy 450/500. Tigerair Australia expands partnership with BAE Systems Tigerair Australia has expanded its partnership with BAE Systems, creating up to 40 new jobs at three airports. BAE Systems is now delivering line maintenance services for Tigerair’s fleet of A320 Engine production facility of Rolls Royce in Dahlewitz, Germany Photo: Rolls-Royce aircraft at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane air- ports for the next five years. Line maintenance Mexico is located near the Queretaro Intercon- Rolls-Royce to build new facility in provides overnight checks on terminating air- Dahlewitz, Germany tinental Airport. Both airlines invested a total of craft and 24 hour coverage for any engineering US$55m, divided into equal shares, to construct requirements. This work builds on the overnight these new facilities, which are located next to Rolls-Royce will expand its aerospace research base maintenance services BAE Systems has the Queretaro Aerospace Park. This project also and technology capabilities in Dahlewitz, build- been delivering for the airline at Melbourne air- received support from the state government ing a new test-bed for power gearboxes which port since October 2013. will support the development of next genera- of Queretaro. The facility is the largest aircraft tion aero-engine designs. Close to 20% of the maintenance, repair and overhaul center in total investment of €65m in the new test-bed Latin America, with its total surface area meas- will be funded by the German and the Branden- uring over 100,000 m². Its three hangars can ac- burg government. The investment in the facility commodate up to nine aircraft simultaneously. AFI KLM E&M to paint Etihad aircraft by Rolls-Royce is part of the company’s existing The crew that will service the airplanes is be- mid to long-term technology investment plans. ing trained and updated in the classrooms of AFI KLM E&M is to repaint five Boeing 777-200 Rolls-Royce recently shared details of its next the Aeronautics University of Queretaro, which aircraft for Etihad Airways. Initially drafted for generation engine designs, one of which, called collaborated with TechOps Mexico and agreed the existing 777-300 fleet, the contract was UltraFan, includes a geared engine design, which to prepare its graduates to enter the labor mar- amended after the airline decided to take deliv- will use components of the type that will be ket with training of the highest quality. In ad- ery of five new 777-200 aircraft. In addition to tested at the new Dahlewitz facility. Rolls-Royce dition to featuring the most modern facilities the painting process (stripping, sanding, painting has a long heritage of gear design capability from of its kind in Latin America, TechOps Mexico is and coating of the fuselage, vertical fin, stabilizer, turbo-shaft, turbo-prop and LiftFan gearbox de- equipped with advanced systems for renewable engines and wings) the contract involves creating signs and will use that knowledge and capability and clean energy that reduce the use of tradi- the technical drawings for 777-200 livery. to develop technology for the very high bypass tional energy by one third, as well as a rainwa- ratio designs of future engines. The UltraFan de- ter harvesting system, a recycling program, and sign, with a variable pitch fan system, is based on other environmentally-friendly mechanisms. such technology and could be ready for service Vector Aerospace UK awarded EASA Part from 2025. It will offer at least 25% improve- 21G accreditation ment in fuel burn and emissions compared with the first generation of Trent engines. Rolls-Royce First delivery from new GKN Aerospace Vector Aerospace UK, a leading provider of avia- Germany has acquired exceptional engineering business jet engine integration facility tion maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capability over the past 20 years and has already services has been awarded Part 21G accredita- implemented development packages for the On March 4th, 2014, just 6 months after con- tion from the European Aviation Safety Agency Trent engine family. A new test-bed for the most struction began, GKN Aerospace’s new bizjet following an official audit in late December 2013. powerful version of the Trent XWB, the world’s engine integration facility, in Phoenix, Arizona The deserved recognition from Europe’s regula- most efficient engine flying today, and the -new has made its first delivery. The facility supplied tory aviation authority enables the company est Trent engine, will be inaugurated in Dahlewitz Honeywell HTF7250 engines, fully integrated to perform work pertaining to sheet metal and in the second half of this year. into GKN Aerospace designed and manufac- composite manufacture; welding and machining, tured nacelle systems, to Gulfstream for its and loom manufacturing, a key capability devel- newest aircraft – the G280 super mid-sized oped by Vector Aerospace UK. The approval, to- business jet. Today the new 24,000 ft² facility gether with the company’s existing catalogue of Delta Air Lines and Grupo Aeromexico which is situated alongside Honeywell’s Arizona accreditations, further strengthens Vector Aero- inaugurate TechOps Mexico operation employs 30 people. At capacity it will space’s offering to civil customers, this being a employ 50 and assemble 28 complete power sector in which the company has experienced Delta Air Lines and Grupo Aeromexico inau- systems per month. By mid-2014, it will be per- recent growth – whilst enhancing its global repu- gurated their aircraft maintenance, repair and forming all podding of HTF7000 engines into tation as a one-stop-shop for comprehensive air- overhaul center, TechOps Mexico.