July 03, 2017 - No. 053 In This Issue Creaform Expands its 3D Expertise in Non-Destructive Testing to the Aerospace Industry Accenture Backs Blockchain Technology as Next Aviation Sector Disruptor MTU Maintenance Completes 1,000th CF34 Engine Shop Visit Lufthansa Technik will extend its Base Maintenance capabilities by adding Boeing 787 Dreamliner Portable Aviation Maintenance Staging from LOBO Advanced Platform Systems Asiana Airlines selects Honeywell auxiliary power units to help improve aircraft performance Hartzell 2-Blade Aluminum Scimitar Prop Approved as Replacement for Cardinal RGs REIDsteel Builds £2.2M Hangar at Biggin Hill SpaceX Aborts Launch for Intelsat 35e Mission With Ten Seconds Left Creaform Expands its 3D Expertise in Non-Destructive Testing to the Aerospace Industry The new surface inspection software combined with the HandySCAN 3D is going to reinforce the company's position as a provider of advanced NDT solutions Lévis, Québec, June 29, 2017 - Creaform, a worldwide leader in portable and highly accurate 3D measurement solutions and engineering services, announced today that it will extend its expertise in non-destructive testing (NDT) to the aerospace industry. By expanding access to its inspection solutions, the company aims to better enable airlines, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service companies, to more efficiently perform the evaluations of in-service aircraft safety, while cutting costs and saving downtime. "As predictive maintenance becomes more prominent, aviation maintenance professionals and aircraft MRO providers are increasingly on the lookout for innovative methods that enable quicker and safer decisions to be made on the outcome of part defects," says Steeves Roy, NDT Product Manager at Creaform. "The mapping of external surface defects on aircraft parts, which can prove difficult to obtain using traditional methods - namely hail damage, bird impacts and lightning strikes on the fuselage and wings - can be assessed with 3D scanning. When paired with advanced inspection tools, such solution cuts down on the operator's impact on measurements, shortens time to get the final report, and reinforces decision-making." To ensure that the solution matches aviation maintenance industry requirements and properly reflects the market needs, Creaform is partnering with major aircraft manufacturers for beta testing. The surface inspection solution dedicated to aerospace applications is set for release in October 2017. Earlier this year, Creaform announced that the HandySCAN 3D metrology-grade laser scanner had made its first major step into the aerospace industry. It was added to the Airbus Technical Equipment Manual (TEM) which is referenced in the Airbus Structure Repair Manual (SRM). Well-known for its NDT solutions for the oil and gas industry, Creaform's NDT product solution is comprised of its flagship HandySCAN 3D™ portable metrology-grade 3D scanner and its Pipecheck™ NDT software, both of which allow automatic on-site inspection, detection, and characterization of pipeline defects. With traceable and repeatable inspection data and results, operators can access critical information for making safer decisions. About Creaform Creaform develops, manufactures, and sells 3D portable measurement technologies and specializes in engineering services. The company offers innovative solutions, such as 3D scanning, reverse engineering, quality control, non-destructive testing, product development, and numerical simulation (FEA/CFD). Its products and services cater to a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer products, heavy industries, healthcare, manufacturing, oil and gas, power generation, and research and education. With headquarters and manufacturing operations in Lévis, Québec, Creaform operates innovation centers in Lévis and Grenoble, France, and has direct sales operations in the United States, France, Germany, Brazil, China, Japan, India, Korea and Singapore. Creaform is a unit of AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies, a division of AMETEK Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices, with annual sales of approximately $4.0 billion. http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/creaform-expands-its-3d-expertise-in-non- destructive-testing-to-the-aerospace-industry-40005182 Back to Top Accenture Backs Blockchain Technology as Next Aviation Sector Disruptor Leading global professional services company Accenture is backing blockchain technology as one of the next major disruptors in the aerospace sector. The firm believes the technology will be fully applicable to the aviation industry in the next two years and will lead to improved time and cost management. Speaking at the 2017 Paris Air Show, John Schmidt, Head of Aerospace and Defense at Accenture, expressed the company's belief that blockchain technology will be beneficial to the sector. "I really see this coming in, in a couple of years," he said. The blockchain is a distributed ledger that offers high levels of security due to its immutability. This, amongst other features, is what makes it a tool that can be used to better the aerospace sector. Citing engine maintenance as an example, Schmidt explained how the blockchain could facilitate an easier and more efficient service process. Currently, different parts of the engine are typically maintained by different service providers: "Through all that life cycle of the engine, the original parts, the replacement parts, and configuration are all being tracked, and it is being done by a number of different companies." However, there is no central database that firms can use to confirm details about the engine or its parts. Thus the data sharing process can take longer than necessary. According to Schmidt, the blockchain can remedy that: "Blockchain is in effect a single federated ledger that everybody who uses and touches that engine could use it as a single point of truth of what has happened to the engine." Blockchain tech would enable all concerned parties to view data pertaining to the engine. Schmidt added that maintenance crews generally consider the data as a whole without considering other micro factors that would affect the working of the engine. "The reality is an engine has high-pressure, and low-pressure usage and each of these may impact the true number of cycles the engine has achieved in its life," Schmidt stated. However, the blockchain will allow more useful data to be recorded accurately and be easily accessible to maintenance crews. In addition to this, since blockchain technology would allow easy access to data, it would change the current trend of having to use the same maintenance crew every time due to prior experience with the engine. "My inclination would be to use a shop that has already worked on the engine, but that shop may have a 30-day backlog. With blockchain, you can look at what other options might be available," he said. Accenture is currently working on a patent for a blockchain service catered to the aerospace sector. "It is something we can see clearly in terms of the benefits, and we effectively have a patent pending on how to leverage blockchain in the aftermarket," Schmidt revealed. It remains to be seen just how much the blockchain can revolutionize the aerospace sector, but this move by Accenture signals the business world's growing confidence in the technology as a workable solution to a wide range of challenges. https://btcmanager.com/accenture-blockchain-tech-as-next-aviation-disruptor/ Back to Top MTU Maintenance Completes 1,000th CF34 Engine Shop Visit Ludwigsfelde, July 3, 2016 - MTU Maintenance, one of the world's leading providers of services for commercial aero engines, has completed its 1,000th CF34 engine repair and overhaul shop visit. The engine belongs to BA CityFlyer, who have been a customer of MTU Maintenance since 2010. The engine was returned to the airline, whose headquarters are in Manchester, as part of a celebratory ceremony with employees at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg on Friday. "We are delighted to have reached this milestone and honoured that BA CityFlyer joined us in Germany to celebrate," says André Sinanian, Managing Director and Senior Vice President MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg. "Furthermore, I would like to thank our employees for their contribution to this achievement. Our people are behind the excellence and efficiency that our customers rely on." BA CityFlyer is a regional airline that operates a network of UK domestic and European services from London City and other regional airports. BA CityFlyer is the largest operator at London City with the highest number of destinations and customers. The wholly-owned British Airways subsidiary operates a fleet of 20 Embraer 190 and 170s with 42 CF34-10E and -8E engines. "MTU Maintenance is our partner and MRO provider for these engines," says Mark Leather, Head of Fleet & Airworthiness BA CityFlyer. "Their team provides the highest level of support, expertise and accompaniment through the shop visit process, always going the extra mile. We look forward to many more successful shop visits and continuing our great partnership with each other." MTU Maintenance has been maintaining engines from the CF34 family (CF34--3, -8C/E, - 10E) for 15 years and has provided MRO services to over 90 customers across the globe. The maintenance division of MTU Aero engines is a GE authorized service provider and services are performed at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg. In addition to comprehensive MRO support, the MTU on-site support teams have enabled customers to avoid over 650 shop visits through their on-wing services since 2003. Support options were further enhanced in 2016, when MTU Maintenance Lease Services and Embraer Aviation International SAS joined forces to provide customers with comprehensive CF34- 10E spare engine support. MTU Maintenance performs over 100 off-wing shop visits per year. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12348811/mtu-maintenance-completes- 1000th-cf34-engine-shop-visit Back to Top Lufthansa Technik will extend its Base Maintenance capabilities by adding Boeing 787 Dreamliner Lufthansa Technik Shannon has announced a multi-million Euro investment that opens the doors for the Boeing 787 later this year. The Shannon-based aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider will modify existing aircraft hangars to accommodate the Dreamliner. Lufthansa Technik Shannon will also be able to offer modifications, cabin and interior refurbishment, interior repair and paint, external paint repairs, specialized inspections, airworthiness directives, compliance checks and a full range of maintenance services for Boeing 787, on site in Shannon. CEO Pat Shine said, "This portfolio expansion is great news for Shannon and we believe it will be widely welcomed by the aviation industry globally. The Boeing 787 is one of the most technically-advanced airplanes in the sky and we will offer leading-edge, specialist services, minimizing the time that the aircraft is out of service, which is what our customers demand." In more than 25 years of experience, Lufthansa Technik Shannon has developed a great expertise in Airbus A320 and various Boeing aircraft such as 737, 757, 767 and 777. Along with the comprehensive back-shop capabilities for advanced materials and innovative maintenance procedures, the Shannon facility is a natural fit for the 787. It is also a sustainable addition to the current Airbus and Boeing airframe capabilities. Staff at Lufthansa Technik Shannon are currently undergoing specialist training for this particular aircraft type and its state-of-the-art technology all over the world. "The big focus for the company is on up-skilling our teams so that we are not only Dreamliner-ready, but that we have the most up-to-date resources and competencies available in the aviation market place.", Shine said. Within its global network Lufthansa Technik is already offering comprehensive technical services for the 787, such as maintenance, component support or cabin completions. https://50skyshades.com/news/maintenance-trainings/lufthansa-technik-will-extend-its- base-maintenance-capabilities-by-adding-boeing-787-dreamliner Back to Top Portable Aviation Maintenance Staging from LOBO Advanced Platform Systems Aviation and aerospace companies including, Boeing, GE Aviation, Gulfstream, NASA, BA, BAE Systems and Rolls Royce are now using the LOBO System to provide a portable staging system which can be configured into any shape or size without the need for any tools. The system can be assembled into any shape or size and it is perfect for away from base, AOG and hangar maintenance tasks as well as being used effective in production and test department applications. The LOBO System flat packs for rapid deployment and is easy, quick to assemble, versatile and strong. LOBO Towerstore is a secure and efficient way of storing and auditing your LOBO components, enhanced with the following features: Palletized for easy transport. Vertical or horizontal use. Extra space for additional components. Packing Instructions available Double lockable doors Wheels and weather proof covers can also be fitted in the horizontal position. LOBO's steel modular components allow for the integration of a Lifting Slider Beam range to assist users by the lifting of heavy objects. Your own maintenance technicians and engineers can assemble the system quickly and safely in and around, under or above aircraft, jet engines, and satellites specifically in restricted areas and no tools are required. Maintenance and production tasks can be better controlled and planned with the out sourced scaffolding labour costs reduced, without compromising safety. LOBO offers a full and certificated training course to provide a safe and compliant process. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12348328/portable-aviation-maintenance- staging-from-lobo-advanced-platform-systems Back to Top Asiana Airlines selects Honeywell auxiliary power units to help improve aircraft performance, reduce maintenance costs for A320, A321, and A321neo SINGAPORE. Asiana Airlines officials in Seoul, South Korea, need a reliable and efficient power source to start aircraft main engines and run air conditioning while the plane is on the ground. They found their solution at Honeywell (NYSE:HON) in Singapore. With Honeywell's auxiliary power units (APUs), Asiana Airlines can improve operational performance and lower maintenance costs over the life cycle of its fleet to achieve significant fuel savings year over year, officials say. An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a critical aircraft component that provides primary or backup electrical power for environmental, cockpit, and hydraulic systems during flight. Honeywell will supply its 131-9A APUs to 74 Asiana Airlines aircraft, of which 49 will be retrofitted on the airline's existing Airbus A320ceo (current engine option) and A321ceo fleet, and the remaining 25 on its new Airbus A321neo fleet. The 131-9A series helps reduce delays and flight cancellations to keep airlines on schedule and ensure their passengers reach their destinations on time. The retrofit program for the Airbus A320ceo and A321ceo fleet will run from 2017 until 2020, while delivery for the new Airbus A321neo fleet is scheduled from 2019 until 2025. "As demand for air travel in the Asia Pacific region increases, it is crucial for airlines to remain competitive by balancing a smooth, on-time flight experience for passengers with reduced operational costs to boost the bottom line," says Dong-Jun Shin, general manager, aircraft & supplies purchasing, Asiana Airlines. "We are confident that Honeywell, which has more than 50 years of proven reliability developing APUs, will help us achieve this balance." "In today's highly competitive airline industry, companies like Asiana Airlines need to increase the cost efficiency of maintenance services, while ensuring safety and reliability are not compromised," says Brian Davis, vice president, airlines, Asia Pacific, Honeywell Aerospace. "We are committed to understanding our customers' specific challenges, and we are confident that our 131-9A APUs will help Asiana Airlines and others improve their fleet availability." Honeywell will provide Asiana Airlines with a global network of maintenance services from its local customer support team based in South Korea, together with an established APU maintenance facility in Singapore that has a strong, longstanding relationship with Asiana Airlines. In March 2017, Airbus designated the Honeywell 131-9A APU as standard equipment for its A320 family of aircraft. Honeywell's APU is now recognized as the gold standard for the A320 family. Honeywell invented the first APU in 1948 and is still the largest producer of gas turbine engines globally. The company has produced more than 95,000 APUs and has more than 36,000 in service today across more than 150 regional, executive, commercial and military applications, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Honeywell recently shipped its 5,000th 131-9A APU, putting the number of production APUs from the 131-9 family at more than 11,000 units, with more than 100 million total flight hours. The 131-9 series APU has been selected by airlines for the majority of narrow-body aircraft and features a unique electronic control box that integrates advanced, plain-English troubleshooting logic and health-monitoring capabilities for intuitive maintenance. This helps increase its already proven reliability to reduce delays and flight cancellations, allowing airlines to stay on schedule so their passengers can reach their destinations on time. http://www.intelligent-aerospace.com/articles/2017/06/asiana-airlines-selects-honeywell- auxiliary-power-units-to-help-improve-aircraft-performance-reduce-maintenance-costs- for-a320-a321-and-a321neo.html Back to Top Hartzell 2-Blade Aluminum Scimitar Prop Approved as Replacement for Cardinal RGs Piqua, Ohio, July 3, 2017 - Hartzell Propeller has received an STC for its two-blade aluminum scimitar propeller to replace the factory standard prop for Cessna 177RG Cardinal and Reims F177RG aircraft powered by IO-360-A1B6(D) 200 HP engines. Offered through Hartzell's Top Prop performance conversion program, introductory pricing is $10,500 for the new 78-inch diameter Scimitar propeller, composite spinner and STC documentation. This latest STC is for stock Cardinal RGs. It is not eligible on turbonormalized aircraft or Cardinals with IO-390s engines. However, Hartzell offers its Trailblazer two-blade composite prop for those aircraft through General Aviation Modifications Inc. of Ada Oklahoma. "This lower cost replacement propeller gives Cardinal RG owners and operators an opportunity to take advantage of Hartzell's strong reliability and performance advantages," said Hartzell Executive Vice President JJ Frigge. "Cardinal operators can now get a longer 2,400 hour, six year TBO and the longest warranty in the business, all the way through first overhaul." Hartzell's 78-inch two-blade aluminum propeller offers climb and cruise performance equal to or greater than original factory installed propellers and a globally acceptable 86.1 dB(a) measured noise. It is also compatible with the Powerflow tuned exhaust system. More information on this new two-blade scimitar aluminum prop will be available at Hartzell Propeller's Booth 296-297 at the 2017 Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, July 24-30. Hartzell Propeller is the global leader in advanced technology aircraft propeller design and manufacturing for business, commercial and government customers. In business for more than a century, the company designs next generation propellers with innovative "blended airfoil" technology and manufactures them with revolutionary machining centers, utilizing automation and robotics. Hartzell Propeller and its sister company, Hartzell Engine Technologies LLC, form the general aviation business unit of Tailwind Technologies Inc. For more information on Hartzell Propeller go to www.hartzellprop.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12348802/hartzell-2-blade-aluminum- scimitar-prop-approved-as-replacement-for-cardinal-rgs Back to Top REIDsteel Builds £2.2M Hangar at Biggin Hill Steel construction company REIDsteel has won a new contract to build a £2.2million hangar under ambitious expansion plans at London Biggin Hill Airport. The Dorset-based firm will build the 60,000 sq ft structure to provide parking for up to 11 executive business jets together with 10,000 sq ft of office space over three-storeys. It will supply and erect the entire structure including steelwork, wall cladding, roof cladding, glazing and hangar doors under the contract through Tonbridge-based Civils Contracting Ltd. Work has started with the first steel arriving at the internationally renowned airport. Completion is due by late summer 2017. It is the tenth structure to be built by 130-strong REIDsteel at Biggin Hill and once complete will be the largest hangar at the airport. The new contract comes hot on the heels of Biggin Hill securing a £15m HSBC finance package to fund the hangar, office accommodation and a 50-bedroom four-star hotel as the airport develops its infrastructure to meet rising demand for business aviation. REIDsteel project engineer Richard Hanson said: "London Biggin Hill Airport's ambitious growth plans will see it create 2,300 jobs by 2030 in the field of business aviation and technology. "We have developed a close and valuable relationship with Biggin Hill and its business partners over many years, helping the airport to grow through our expertise in structural steel design, fabrication and construction. "By supplying and erecting the entire parking hangar, including steelwork, wall cladding, roof cladding, glazing and the hangar doors, we can ensure a seamless, on-time build. "It will be our tenth build at Biggin Hill as we look forward to helping the airport enhance its reputation as a high technology and aviation hub, and as the gateway to London and the City." The parking hangar will feature twin span door openings of 65 metres each. The 9.5m high doors will enable the accommodation of executive class business jets. Robert Walters, business development director at London Biggin Hill Airport, said: "Construction of the hangar is really moving along and it's fantastic to see the building taking shape. "This hangar is an important development for London Biggin Hill and a significant part of our plans to meet the steadily growing demand for business aviation. "It will be able to accommodate six G650s or six Global 7000s as well as 10,000 square foot of office space and we're looking forward to seeing it opened at the end of the year." London Biggin Hill airport is home to 65 commercial and aviation activities, 55 business jets and more than 150 other private aircraft and helicopters. Other developments at the airport have included Bombardier setting up a UK maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) facility, with Signature Flight Support operating the FBO in the former Rizon Jet hangar, built by REIDsteel. Biggin Hill's own bespoke fixed base operator (FBO) operation and terminal has also been built by REIDsteel. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12348485/reidsteel-builds-22m-hangar-at- biggin-hill Back to Top SpaceX Aborts Launch for Intelsat 35e Mission With Ten Seconds Left Ahead of tonight's launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, SpaceX was predicting a 60 percent chance that it wouldn't happen due to weather conditions. But although it turned out to be a sunny and clear view from the ground as the live streamed countdown began, the mission was aborted just ten seconds before launch. John Insprucker, principal integration engineer at SpaceX and launch host, stayed with viewers following the abort, waiting to find out what had caused the abrupt stop of the Falcon 9 launch. With a view of the Falcon 9 sitting peacefully on the launch complex, the voice of the launch director could be heard over the live stream, detailing what had just gone down as a GNC criteria abort. Insprucker translated for viewers; "This is a computer abort that happened at T-minus 10 seconds where we're looking at the status system and the flight hardware that supports it. It appears that something was out of limits, the computer stopped the countdown before we got into the engine ignition sequence." Unfortunately, there was no time left in Sunday's window to recycle the countdown, and so we were left to wait another day. It was supposed to be SpaceX's third launch in nine days, with two launches occurring over three days on June 23 and 25. "We got the weather cooperating today, we got all the way down to ten seconds, and then we had an automated abort," Insprucker said. A backup launch window will open on July 3 at roughly the same time; around 7:37 p.m. Eastern. The Falcon 9 is tasked with delivering an Intelsat 35e communications satellite into orbit. Here's a video of the aborted launch, if you want to watch the anti-climatic moment in real time: https://www.inverse.com/article/33678-spacex-aborts-launch-intelsat-35e-mission Curt Lewis