January 25, 2018 - No. 007 In This Issue DEMAND FOR AVIATION MAINTENANCE TAKES OFF. $2.5 million grant for Alabama Aviation College announced New Online MRO Locator for EASA-registered Aircraft Boeing recruits Spokane Community College Qatar Airways celebrates the success of its Al Darb Qatarisation programme NBAA Chief: ATC Privatization Battle Far from Over Rolls-Royce announces AerCap, DAE and Avolon as launch customers for LessorCare Etihad Airways Engineering Wins Kenya Airways Maintenance Contracts Boeing's 787-10 Dreamliner Cleared for Commercial Service by Federal Aviation Administration SpaceX fires up powerful new Falcon Heavy rocket DEMAND FOR AVIATION MAINTENANCE TAKES OFF In the 20 years Cincinnati State's aviation maintenance technology program has been at its Harrison campus, Program Chair Jeff Wright has rarely seen job prospects for graduates any better than today. "We are regularly receiving calls from employers who have a dire need for grads of our programs," said Wright. Among the factors fueling the demand is local expansion of airfreight carriers including DHL and, most recently, Amazon Prime Air. In mid-January, Amazon announced the acquisition of 210 acres in Northern Kentucky to be "part of the future CVG air hub." For these fast-paced shippers to keep their fleets of cargo planes running safely and on time, they need mechanics with exactly the skills acquired by graduates of Cincinnati State's aviation maintenance program: the ability to service, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines, airframes and other systems, said Wright. "And as drones are getting larger, mechanics will need FAA certification to work on those as well," he said. Program grads earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are prepared to take the Federal Aviation Administration licensing tests for Airframe Mechanic and Powerplant Mechanic. The program also offers shorter certificate options, including avionics, for incumbent workers and others with experience, including veterans, who may have experience but do not have an FAA mechanics license. Companies including GE Aviation, which builds jet engines, also hire aviation maintenance graduates to work as technicians. Workers in this field can expect starting wages of $25 to $30 per hour, according to labor market data, and with overtime can see incomes of up to $100,000 per year. Meanwhile, Cincinnati State has received its second-largest gift ever to support the program, $860,000 for the Scott A. Knabe Aviation Scholarship Fund, from the Edna Alice Knabe Trust. Students interested in enrolling in Cincinnati State's Aviation Maintenance Program can get more information by calling the Cincinnati State West Harrison Campus at 513-569-4970, or by going online at cincinnatistate.edu. The Harrison campus also offers training in welding. Students interested in scholarships can apply through Thursday, Feb. 15, for next cycle of awards at: https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/academics/financial-aid/financial-aid-ty... https://www.thedcregister.com/news-latest/demand-aviation-maintenance-takes Back to Top $2.5 million grant for Alabama Aviation College announced "This is definitely a great day for the college," Enterprise State Community College President Matt Rodgers said to an audience of students, instructors and government officials waiting for the news that Gov. Kay Ivey came to Ozark Jan. 19 to bring. Ivey announced that the Alabama Aviation College, a unit of ESCC, has received a $2.5 million grant. The funds are part of the Alabama Capital Improvement Trust Fund, which awards funds for projects that promote economic development. The Alabama Aviation College is the only aviation maintenance program in the state. Certifications and degree programs offered at Alabama Aviation College include airframe technology, Aviation Composite Materials, Aviation Maintenance Foundations, avionics technology, general aviation technology and power plant technology. The Ozark campus is one of three Alabama Aviation College locations. There are also AAC campuses in Albertville and Andalusia. "The dedication of our students is undoubtedly making a mark on the aviation industry," Rodgers said. "We have some of the best and brightest students walking through our halls." The Alabama Aviation College has experienced consistent growth over the last several years, including increasing enrollment by nearly 100 students this semester, Rodgers said. The grant funds will be used to renovate campus infrastructure to expand the college's Advanced Composite Training Program and to prepare the campus for future program expansions. "I am proud to award this $2.5 million grant to the Alabama Aviation College and provide funding for lab space for the new Advanced Composite Materials program," Ivey said. "While this grant is for the aviation program, the infrastructure updates it provides will also help to ensure the Ozark campus of Enterprise State Community College is ready to meet all the workforce needs of local business and industry." The first phase of the renovation project is slated to begin in the summer of 2018 and all work is expected to be completed in 2019. Ozark Mayor Bob Bunting told the audience that he had been "deeply concerned about the direction our aviation college had taken," and said he had expressed that concern to Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. "We had a great meeting," Bunting said. "He had the same concerns and he assured me that the aviation college would be making a positive turn. "We have met several times since," Bunting said. "I stand here today knowing that this great institution is moving to the top of the mountain." Bunting had high praise for Rodgers, who was named president of ESCC four months ago. "He is a great college president,' Bunting said. "We are beginning to turn the corner." "We appreciate Governor Ivey supporting our efforts to provide a first-class educational setting for the students in our service area," Rodgers said. "These improvements will allow us to enhance existing programs and work closely with local and state industry leaders to meet the demands of our ever-changing workforce." Baker agreed. "I'm proud that Governor Ivey recognizes the great work being done across Alabama's community colleges to train our state's workforce for high-demand, high-wage jobs," he said. "The improvements at the Ozark campus will have an immediate positive impact on the students we serve and will also take large strides towards ensuring the campus is meeting the needs of business and industry in the Ozark community." "This is only the beginning," Rodgers added. "Great days are ahead for the college and the communities we serve." http://www.southeastsun.com/daleville/article_a6f278c2-0113-11e8-b020-efabf19fdc94.html Back to Top New Online MRO Locator for EASA-registered Aircraft Aviation Heaven, an online platform for business aviation operators and maintenance facilities, recently introduced a web-based, worldwide directory of MRO providers to support EASA-, Isle of Man-, and San Marino-registered business jets. The online tool, which was developed over the past two years, will assist operators in finding locations that can support their particular aircraft type, before they even fly to that destination. The platform will allow customers to book maintenance slots in advance and provide multiple maintenance sources in AOG situations, according to the Germany-based company. Subscribers will be able to access a map with all the aircraft in their fleet, and they can change locations of the individual aircraft and search within a set radius to identify which maintenance providers have approval for that aircraft type. Each location will have its data available to allow operators to easily contact them directly. The tool allows a proactive approach to maintenance that "ultimately saves maintenance and ferry flight costs," said company president Andreas Past. "You will find the MROs that are certified for your aircraft type worldwide, and with the mobile-friendly website wherever you go." He added that all MROs with EASA approval are invited to register and submit their information to the network for free. Plans for the site include a flightplan function, which can identify maintenance support options while en route, as well as the ability to submit maintenance requests to more than one MRO provider at the same time through the web portal. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-01-24/new-online-mro-locator- easa-registered-aircraft Back to Top Boeing recruits Spokane Community College Boeing is a brand often associated with rocket scientists. Men and women who attend years of school to allow us to safely travel the skies. However, as Spokane Community College students learned Wednesday, the aviation giant has no shortage of opportunities. "Boeing's in Seattle," explained Jennifer Paige, who just graduated in December. "It's not everyday that we get people to try and recruit us and get us over there- and Boeing's an excellent company to get in with." Paige has wanted to be a pilot since Fourth Grade. Wednesday, however, she admitted she could see herself in one of the positions recruiters were pushing; "I'm definitely a lot more interested in the functional test position. I didn't even know it was a position at all. I guess it makes sense, but yeah I definitely didn't know." It's that kind of epiphany Boeing is hoping for. "A lot of these jobs, Mechanical jobs, have a lot of complexity depending on where you're at," declared Michelle Burreson, who's been with the aviation giant for 15 years. So, if you're doing assembly, it's different than machine maintenance or functional tests. Everyone is looked at and what we're doing today is looking the skills you have and aligning those to the correct jobs that you might have in the future." https://www.kxly.com/news/boeing-recruits-spokane-community-college-1/690630571 Back to Top Qatar Airways celebrates the success of its Al Darb Qatarisation programme Qatar Airways has seen a year-on-year increase of National employees joining the award-winning airline through its Al Darb Qatarisation programme, which was initiate din 2012, it was announced. Some 143 Nationals, who joined Qatar Airways in 2017 through the airline's programme, are now embarking on successful full-time careers. "As Qatar's national carrier, we have always been committed in our national duty of meeting the Qatar National Vision 2030, to develop and invest in local talent and build a long-term national workforce," Qatar Airways' human resources senior vice president Nabeela Fakhri said. Fakhri added that the airline invested and developed the unique Al Darb Qatarisation programme, which is now in its sixth year. "The programme is essential in supporting and nurturing the development of talented Nationals in their career paths to become leaders of the future for both Qatar and our national airline," Fakhri noted. Since it launched, the programme has attracted Nationals, including students, graduates and experienced professionals from different career paths to find their place in the aviation industry. With the wide range of career opportunities offered at Qatar Airways, the airline enables every National to meet their career aspirations and become ambassadors for the airline and for The State of Qatar. National employees enter the airline through one of the eight educational and training programmes offered, which include the National Scholarship programme, Cadet Pilot programme, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme, Summer Internship programme, Graduate Development programme, Aviation Management programme, Airport Operations Management and the Jossor Programme. All eight Al Darb Qatarisation programmes have seen a continuous increase of National employees since its successful initiation in 2012. In 2017, the Graduate Development programme saw a total of 40 Nationals being offered full-time jobs at the airline. In addition, 15 Nationals in 2017 successfully completed their IATA Aviation Diplomas, which required them to receive training both locally and internationally for industry-recognised qualifications within a wide range of aviation specialisations. Qatar Airways also offers numerous training courses and a dedicated performance coach to help newly-hired Nationals integrate seamlessly into their new roles and take charge of their career paths. The airline looks forward to welcoming Nationals of all fields in 2018 to join the carrier and choose the development opportunity that suits their ambitions. http://www.gulf-times.com/story/579386/Qatar-Airways-celebrates-the-success-of-its-Al-Dar Back to Top NBAA Chief: ATC Privatization Battle Far from Over "The battle over ATC privatization won't end with Transportation Committee chairman Bill Shuster's retirement," NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said this morning at the NBAA regional forum in West Palm Beach, Florida. "We're using the regional forum to call members to action on this very issue." Shuster (R-Pennsylvania) announced early this month that he would not seek re-election this year. Bolen noted that the push for separating air traffic services from the FAA is "still very much alive," adding this will continue to be amplified as the current FAA reauthorization extension expires in March. To counter this, NBAA and other general aviation groups have created the ATC Not for Sale program, which is on full display today at the forum via banners and T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan. "Members are critical to the success of our efforts to abate the ATC privatization push," he stressed. "We're asking everyone to take three minutes of their time to contact their members of Congress to tell them that our ATC system isn't for sale." The association has set up a Contact Congress webpage to make it easy for members to contact their representatives in Washington, D.C. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-01-24/nbaa-chief-atc- privatization-battle-far-over Back to Top Rolls-Royce announces AerCap, DAE and Avolon as launch customers for LessorCare Rolls-Royce announced (23-Jan-2018) Avolon, AerCap and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) as launch customers for LessorCare, the company's new service tailored specifically to the needs of lessors. LessorCare services include: * Customer support: Offering Rolls-Royce's network of technical support, publications, and training to optimise responsiveness and keep aircraft earning revenue; * Transitions services: Offering a range of maintenance and availability services, to ensure aircraft move faster and more efficiently between leases. Services include engine maintenance and remarketing support; * Asset management: Range of solutions to maximise engine values through their life-cycle. These solutions will include LifeKey, an enhanced form of the Operating Lessor Engine Restoration Agreement, that provides portability and liquidity for maintenance value. Beyond these initial services, Rolls-Royce will continue to work with AerCap and other customers to develop LessorCare further, working towards even closer integration of aftermarket services and aircraft lease agreements. https://centreforaviation.com/news/rolls-royce-announces-aercap-as-a-launch-customer-for- lessorcare-759998 Back to Top Etihad Airways Engineering Wins Kenya Airways Maintenance Contracts Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Etihad Airways Engineering has been awarded maintenance contracts by Kenya Airways for A-checks on a number of Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet. This project, which was announced during MRO Middle East, was awarded to Etihad Airways Engineering after it completed a series of successful Boeing 787 C-checks for the Kenyan national carrier last year. Abdul Khaliq Saeed, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways Engineering, said, "We are pleased to welcome Kenya Airways back to our facility in Abu Dhabi. An increasing number of airlines from around the world, including flag carriers, are taking advantage of the value proposition and extensive range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services we offer at Etihad Airways Engineering. We are committed to building on our expertise as a Centre of Excellence for modern platforms like the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380." Etihad Airways Engineering continues to invest in infrastructure to support the growing business. Aircraft hangars at the facility cover approximately 42,000 sq metres, including 10,000 sq metres of aircraft painting facilities and a custom-designed hangar that can accommodate up to three Airbus A380s simultaneously. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12393027/etihad-airways-engineering-wins-kenya- airways-maintenance-contracts Back to Top Boeing's 787-10 Dreamliner Cleared for Commercial Service by Federal Aviation Administration EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today the 787-10 Dreamliner received an amended type certificate (ATC) from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), clearing the airplane for commercial service. The awarding of ATC caps a successful flight test program that began in March 2017 and involved three flight test airplanes that accumulated about 900 test hours. Boeing's flight test program team took the airplanes through a series of tests to confirm the airplane's handling, systems and overall performance met internal requirements and certification standards to ensure safety of flight. "We are pleased to have met the rigorous standards set forth by the FAA and are eager to bring the airplane to market for our valued customers," said Brad Zaback, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "After years of design and testing, our team has proven the quality, safety and reliability of the newest member of the Dreamliner family and we look forward to seeing the airplane in service later this year." Other aviation regulatory agencies are expected to follow the FAA's lead and certify the airplane before it enters service. The 787 Dreamliner is a family of super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. As a stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 retains over 95 percent commonality while adding seats and cargo capacity, setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics at 25 percent better fuel per seat and emissions than the airplanes it will replace. The airplane can fly 330 passengers, in a typical two-class configuration, up to 6,430 nautical miles (11,910 km). To date, Boeing has over 170 orders for the 787-10 from nine customers worldwide. First delivery is expected to Singapore Airlines in the first half of 2018. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12393017/boeings-787-10-dreamliner-cleared-for- commercial-service-by-federal-aviation-administration Back to Top SpaceX fires up powerful new Falcon Heavy rocket Firmly locked to its launch pad, a powerful SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, made up of three strapped- together Falcon 9 core stages and a single upper stage, fired its 27 core stage engines for more than 10 seconds Wednesday in a critical test to pave the way for the new booster's maiden flight. As usual with preflight test-firings, SpaceX did not announce the test, but observers could clearly see vapors venting from the giant rocket during fueling. Engine ignition was impossible to miss as a huge cloud of churning exhaust shot away from historic pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 12:30 p.m. EST (GMT-5). The engines shut down as planned about 10 seconds, or slightly more, after ignition, and the towering exhaust cloud quickly dissipated in the afternoon breeze. "Falcon Heavy hold-down firing this morning was good," SpaceX founder Elon Musk said in a tweet. "Generated quite a thunderhead of steam. Launching in a week or so." The payload for the Heavy's first flight: Musk's personal Tesla Roadster, a cherry red sports car that will be mounted in the rocket's nose cone. It was not known if the car was aboard the Heavy for the engine test-firing, but Musk says he plans to launch the roadster on a looping orbit beyond Mars with David Bowie's "Space Oddity" playing on the stereo. "I love the thought of a car drifting apparently endlessly through space and perhaps being discovered by an alien race millions of years in the future," Musk tweeted late last year. The dramatic, highly anticipated test-firing came almost a month after SpaceX first hauled the huge rocket to pad 39A for initial tests and several weeks after a static firing was first expected. SpaceX is the only major rocket company that test-fires main engines on the pad prior to launch as a confidence check to make sure the booster's systems are operating properly before committing a vehicle to flight. The static-fire, or hot-fire, test typically takes place a few days to a week before launch. On Sept. 1, 2016, a Falcon 9 rocket on pad 40 at the nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station exploded in a spectacular fireball five minutes before a planned static firing, destroying a $200 million communications satellite and heavily damaging the pad. Since then, SpaceX has reeled off 19 successful flights -- and hot fires -- in a row, most recently launching a classified satellite known as Zuma. The mysterious satellite was lost, according to Pentagon sources, possibly because it failed to separate from the Falcon 9's second stage. SpaceX did not build the satellite's attachment mechanism, and the company insists the rocket performed normally. SpaceX currently is preparing a Falcon 9 for launch from the Air Force station to boost a communications station for satellite operator SES into orbit. That hot fire could come in the next few days, and usually only one such test is required before flight. But in the case of the Falcon Heavy, which is making its first voyage, additional tests likely are planned before it is cleared for launch. When it finally flies, the Heavy will be the world's most powerful operational rocket, generating more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff from 27 Merlin engines -- nine per core vehicle. SpaceX says on its website the Heavy can boost 119,000 pounds of payload to low-Earth orbit, the "equivalent to a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel ... more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the (United Launch Alliance) Delta 4 Heavy, at one- third the cost." For its first flight, the Heavy's first stage is made up of two previously flown Falcon 9 boosters strapped to either side of a new center core stage. The outside core boosters will attempt landings back at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station while the center stage is expected to land on an offshore drone ship on its initial flight. The second stage, perched atop the central core stage, will carry the Tesla into space. Musk has repeatedly downplayed expectations for the rocket's first flight, saying last year, "There's a lot of risk associated with Falcon Heavy, a real good chance that that vehicle does not make it to orbit." "I want to make sure to set expectations accordingly. I hope it makes it far enough beyond the pad so that it does not cause pad damage. I would consider even that a win, to be honest." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-test-fires-falcon-heavy-engines/ Curt Lewis