June 7, 2018 - No. 045 In This Issue National Aviation Academy Career Fair Demonstrates Need for Aviation Maintenance Technicians Brazilian Aircraft Giant Embraer to Land in Macon, Employing 100 at Maintenance Hub Honda Aircraft Company Expands Sales To Japan Russia's first authorised maintenance centre for Pilatus Aircraft. American Airlines maintenance hangar planned to land in Pensacola this October. Aircraft Propeller Service Receives FAA's AMT Gold Award of Excellence JSSI Commits to Bringing Data and Transparency to Business Aviation West Star Aviation Expands Recruitment Efforts To Attract New Talent Fall Should Answer Some Big MRO Questions Rusada Launching New Mobile Apps for Flight Data and Work Orders SpaceX Won't Launch Tourists Around the Moon This Year National Aviation Academy Career Fair Demonstrates Need for Aviation Maintenance Technicians Increased demand for skilled workers continues to drive the need for training programs at schools such as National Aviation Academy (NAA). Quality training is essential to develop the skills and hands-on abilities required for careers in aviation maintenance. To connect students and alumni with industry representatives, NAA hosted a Career Fair on May 10, 2018 at their Tampa Bay campus. Thirty-five companies were in attendance scouting students, conducting interviews and making offers. Industry leaders such as Boeing, Delta, Embraer, General Electric (GE), Gulfstream and Cape Air were onsite, where a total of fifty-seven interviews were conducted and fifty-one offers were made. NAA focuses solely on aviation maintenance training to meet the specific needs in aviation and parallel industries. Aircraft mechanics are in high demand as the industry expands and technicians age out of the aviation workforce. Students are able to prepare for career opportunities by choosing from NAA's 14 or 21-month accelerated programs. David Mead, Senior Executive Vice President of Education and Operations, stated "it is our job to instill the necessary training, and qualities, that employers are looking for in the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians. It is also our duty to ensure that our graduates are equipped with the knowledge to be successful in careers that span all sectors of aviation." According to Boeing's 2017 Pilot & Technician Outlook, 648,000 new aviation maintenance technicians will be needed by 2036. Given the continued demands in the industry, upcoming careers fairs are expected to provide vast opportunity for students and alumni. The next career fair will be held at NAA's New England campus at 130 Baker Avenue Extension in Concord, MA on Thursday, July 12, 2018. It is over a month prior to the event and all company recruitment spaces have been filled. Students will have the opportunity to engage with companies such as Delta, Gulfstream and United Airlines. ABOUT NAA'S TAMPA BAY CAMPUS: The current career placement rate at NAA's Tampa Bay campus is 96%. The median salary for an aircraft maintenance technician is $61,670 according to BLS.gov. Recent graduates from NAA have been hired by companies such as American Airlines, Boeing, Columbia Helicopters, Dyncorp, Endeavor, Envoy Airlines, Goodyear, Gulfstream, Honeywell, Panasonic Avionics, PSA Airlines, Textron and the United States Air Force, among others. ABOUT NAA: National Aviation Academy (NAA) has been training aviation maintenance professionals since 1932. Dedicated to building a quality aviation maintenance workforce, NAA offers training in Aviation Maintenance and Advanced Aircraft Systems. A worldwide reputation has been cultivated through the use of innovative curriculum, hands-on training and a forward-thinking sensibility. Students gain industry knowledge and exceptional skills by engaging with faculty who have years of experience across all maintenance levels. Companies that hire NAA graduates offer long-term and viable careers with great earning and growth potential. NAA trains individuals from across the globe at campuses located in Clearwater, FL and Concord, MA. For more information, call (800) 659-2080 or visit http://naa.edu http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12415575/national-aviation-academy-career-fair- demonstrates-need-for-aviation-maintenance-technicians Back to Top Brazilian Aircraft Giant Embraer to Land in Macon, Employing 100 at Maintenance Hub Brazilian aircraft giant Embraer is setting up an operation to maintain and repair commercial jets in Macon, a move that will bring 100 jobs to the Middle Georgia city. The company will occupy a hangar at Middle Georgia Regional Airportvacated late last year by HAECO, a Hong Kong-based firm that consolidated its maintenance operations elsewhere in the Southeast U.S. Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services will invest $1.6 million in the facility and will pay out $4.5 million per year in wages. The three-year lease is also stacked with three one-year options, according to the Macon Bibb-County Industrial Authority, which announced the deal at a June 5 board meeting. The boost is especially welcome in light of HAECO's departure: At one point that firm had employed over 300 within its purpose-built facility at the airport. Embraer is absorbing a lot of that displaced workforce, helping anchor an airport undergoing a lot of change including a runway expansion. It didn't happen by accident, said Stephen Adams, the acting director of the industrial authority, which sent out "rapid response teams" after HAECO left to help workers prepare for the future. The group compiled job descriptions and contact information with the idea of showcasing the strength of the local workforce to a future tenant. "That was actually something that we used in the recruitment of Embraer to say that the workforce is available and eager to work," Mr. Adams said. The move also shows how local ties can facilitate global engagement. Tennessee-based Contour Aviation, which flies Embraer jets on charter flights and commercial routes like its Macon- Baltimoreconnection, helped make the introduction to the Brazilian firm, the Macon Telegraphwrote, citing Macon Mayor Robert Reichert. Mr. Adams confirmed that Embraer approached the community as word about Macon's aerospace strengths spread. Now, Macon-Bibb County has the chance to play to its strengths: taking care of "existing industry" in such a way that locally invested international companies become its best advocate, Mr. Adams said. "We really feel like this is a foot in the door for Embraer for Macon and Bibb County, and when they get here they're going to find this is a very pro-business community," he said. Founded in 1969, Embraer is the world's largest manufacturer of jets with fewer than 150 seats. The company says 8,000 Embraer planes delivered over five decades carry 145 million passengers per year, with one taking off every 10 seconds somewhere around the globe. The Macon facility was chosen to service the ERJ and E-Jet families of twin-engine aircraft after an "exhaustive search," Embraer Vice President Frank Stevens said in the release. Mr. Stevens couldn't be immediately reached by phone. Aerospace is a major industry in Georgia, with nearly 100,000 people working across the state in more than 800 civilian and defense companies conducting operations, manufacturing and work in the so-called Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, or MRO, sector. With 30,000-plus MRO workers, Georgia ranks fourth among states for employment in the sector, and Middle Georgia is one of its hubs. Delta TechOps has a major facility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, while Warner Robins is home to the U.S. Air Force Air Logistics Complex. Aerospace manufacturing often gets the glory, especially in a state that leads the nation by some metrics, but aircraft maintenance is also big contributor to Georgia's economy, booking some $2.5 billion in revenue annually. Georgia is particularly strong in maintaining some older aircraft. "You build an airplane once but you're going to maintain it for a long time, and that's where a lot of the revenue chain is," said Amy Hudnall, director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Aerospace. "And it is a big revenue chain." Macon is also privileged in this regard, as it's home to Middle Georgia State University, the state's leading institution for aviation maintenance technicians, and companies tend to cluster around other companies as well as ample available workforce, Ms. Hudnall said. Planes and their parts are Georgia's largest export product, to the tune of $8.44 billion, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Georgia is also no stranger to Brazilian investment. Pistol manufacturer Taurus Holdings recently broke ground ion a $22.5 million factory in Bainbridge, and the state is home to major Brazilian industrial investors like WEG and Embraco, as well astech companies like Stefanini and Merchant e- Solutions, among many others. https://www.globalatlanta.com/brazilian-aircraft-embraer-to-land-in-macon-employing-100-at- maintenance-hub/ Back to Top Honda Aircraft Company Expands Sales To Japan OKYO, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda Aircraft Company announced today that it has expanded sales to Japanwith the appointment of Marubeni Aerospace as HondaJet Japan. HondaJet Japan will provide sales, service, and maintenance of aircraft in the region. In May 2018, the application for JCAB type certification was submitted and the first aircraft is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2019. Honda has continued to expand its business in motorcycles, automobiles, power products and other areas since its foundation with the goal of "serving people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life's potential." This goal has been fulfilled by Honda Aircraft Company with its further expansion of the aircraft industry. "It has been a longstanding dream to advance human mobility skyward since Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was established. When we started aircraft research, there were many challenges to overcome. Today, with our own advanced technology and the creation of the HondaJet, we have been able to provide innovation to the light jet market and create new value in business aviation. I am proud that HondaJet has expanded sales to Honda's home here in Japan," said Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President & CEO Takahiro Hachigo. "We have received a tremendous amount of interest and inquiries regarding the HondaJet from Japan. Today, I am delighted to announce that we have officially expanded our sales to Japan. The HondaJet Elite, which will be delivered to our customers in Japan, is the new, upgraded model of HondaJet. We are excited to share the HondaJet Elite's enhanced performance, fuel efficiency, comfort and quietness with people in Japan. We are looking forward to creating a new business jet market in the region," said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "We are proud to be chosen as the dealer of HondaJet in Japan by Honda Aircraft Company and it is a significant role for us," said Marubeni Corporation CEO of Transportation & Industrial Machinery Group Toshiaki Ujiie. "With our combined strength and dedication to sales and service, we hope to have more customers experience the comfort and high performance of the HondaJet Elite. We would like many people to utilize the light business jet as a tool of transportation in the near future." "We are delighted to be appointed as HondaJet Japan. With over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, I am confident that we will provide customers with the best ownership experience of the HondaJet Elite. We are dedicated to enhancing the business aviation industry to set a new standard in Japan," said Marubeni Aerospace President & CEO Gentaro Toya. Honda Aircraft has established a worldwide dealer and authorized sales network to provide unsurpassed service and support for its customers. The authorized network spans territories in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. The HondaJet Elite is type certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The aircraft has inherited the aeronautical breakthroughs developed by Honda Aircraft and is the most efficient, quietest, fastest, furthest and highest-flying aircraft in its category. For more information, visit hondajetelite.com. About HondaJet Elite The second aircraft from Honda Aircraft Company, the HondaJet Elite is the fastest, furthest and highest-flying plane in its category. The HondaJet Elite incorporates Honda Aircraft's many technological innovations, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, composite fuselage and a Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) fuselage nose and wing. These advancements contribute to the aircraft's superior performance and unparalleled efficiency as well as maximized fuselage space, making the aircraft's cabin the largest in its category with comfortable seating for up to seven passengers, including a pilot, a full service galley, a private lavatory with optional belted seat and an exclusive Bongiovi sound system. Additionally, the HondaJet Elite sets the gold standard in safety and human-machine interface technology with an ergonomically designed cockpit and enhanced customized GarminŽ G3000 avionics suite. With the HondaJet Elite, Honda Aircraft remains committed to the improvement of lives through personal mobility while living in a sustainable society. The upgraded aircraft remains significantly more fuel efficient than any other aircraft in its category while emitting less greenhouse gases than all other very light business jets. Certified for single pilot operation, the HondaJet Elite continues to live up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value. About Honda Aircraft Company Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft's world headquarters is located in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honda-aircraft-company-expands-sales-to-japan- 300660792.html Back to Top Russia's first authorised maintenance centre for Pilatus Aircraft Nesterov Aviation, an authorised representative of Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft in Russia, has picked the first maintenance centre in the country to be approved to service PC-12 turboprops. The centre is based at Dobrograd airport in the Vladimir region, some 250 km east of Moscow, the company reports. Maintenance services will be provided by Skypro Helicopters' technicians, each of whom successfully completed a training course in Switzerland earlier this year. The Skypro Helicopters (a subsidiary of the Skypro Group) technical centre is also certified to service and repair helicopters made by European aerospace group Leonardo. In May this year, it became an authorised MRO centre for AW109S/AW109E and AW109SP rotorcraft. Skypro Helicopters is currently working on the establishment of its authorised maintenance centre for PC-12s. As part of the preparations, the provider has already obtained a certificate for line maintenance and some forms of base maintenance activities for PC-12/47?s and has been licensed by Russia's aviation authorities to analyse and process PC-12 flight data on the premises at Dobrograd airport, Skypro Helicopters' chief executive Petr Yablonsky has revealed to Russian Aviation Insider. The company is in the process of drafting technical requirements for the construction of the maintenance facility, with works due to begin in early 2019, and a launch date set for the second half of 2019. Talks are under way for Skypro Helicopters to also provide spares parts support to Pilatus-made aircraft, Yablonsky said. Eventually, Skypro Helicopters hopes to provide maintenance services for not only Russian, but also Belarus aircraft operators. Belarus's newly formed business aviation operator BySky has two Pilatus PC-12 turboprops in its fleet. Skypro Helicopters already provides flight data analysis services to BySky. Meanwhile, Nesterov Aviation stresses that the establishment of a first Pilatus maintenance centre in Russia will help CIS-based operators of the Swiss-made aircraft to cut their maintenance times and costs. Skypro Helicopters will offer round-the-clock line and base customised maintenance services for all generations of PC-12s, with plans to expand the range to other Pilatus models. "In the near future we plan to get broader approval for a full range of base maintenance activities on PC-12/47?s and to add PC-12/47 and PC-12/45 types that are in service with some operators in Russia," Yavlonsky stated. "We intend to become proficient in the maintenance of PC-24s by the end of 2018. The aircraft is new to the Russian market where the first deliveries are not expected until the start of 2019. Today the company is putting effort into expanding its range of maintenance and repair services both for Leonardo Helicopters and for Pilatus," he added. In 2015, Skypro Helicopters was licensed as a general aviation operator. It owns an AW139 medium-sized helicopter. http://www.rusaviainsider.com/russias-first-authorised-maintenance-centre-pilatus-aircraft/ Back to Top American Airlines maintenance hangar planned to land in Pensacola this October PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, plans to open a new maintenance facility at Pensacola International Airport. The new facility will create an estimated 30-35 jobs and support PSA's efforts to grow its fleet by about 20 aircraft. PSA will be looking to hire team members, including mechanics, leads, inspectors and stores personnel. In a news release, PSA said Pensacola International Airport was an ideal location for the new facility because the area provides a sustainable workforce, a strong local military presence and an abundance of technical schools. PSA currently has seven other maintenance facilities in the areas of Dayton, Ohio; Canton, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia. "The addition of PNS will enhance PSA's reliability, provide much needed flexibility in meeting our maintenance program requirements, and ensure we meet our planned capture rate as we continue to grow," Gary Pratt, PSA Airlines vice president of maintenance and engineering, said in a statement. PSA's more than 3,900 employees operate more than 800 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations, according to the company's website. PSA operates 35 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, 39 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft and 54 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline expects to add additional aircraft, bringing its fleet count to 150. The city of Pensacola did not respond to requests for comment concerning PSA's new facility, but city officials have been working toward making the area a hub for the aviation and aerospace industries. The city has worked with local schools, colleges and universities to develop a workforce training pipeline. In March, the state announced Pensacola International Airport had been awarded a $4 million grant for airport development, including improvements to facilities for education and training for the budding aviation workforce. PSA's announcement comes the same week that VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. will hold the grand opening of a new, 173,452-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar at the airport. The city of Pensacola built the aircraft hangar complex on nearly 19 acres and is leasing the facilities to VT MAE for a 30-year term. The facility is expected to create roughly 400 jobs. PSA expects to open its maintenance facility in October 2018. For more information about the positions PSA will be filling at its PNS base operation, visit psaairlines.com/careers. https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/06/06/american-airlines-maintenance-hangar-planned- pensacola-airport/676965002/ Back to Top Aircraft Propeller Service Receives FAA's AMT Gold Award of Excellence Aircraft Propeller Service, LLC recently earned the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Gold Award of Excellence stemming from APS' participation in the FAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Awards Program. To receive the AMT Gold Award of Excellence an employer must have a minimum of 50% of its eligible employees receive individual William O'Brien Awards acknowledging that they receive or promote and foster initial and recurrent training. APS President and CEO Dan Colbert received the company's AMT Gold Award from Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team (FAAST) Representative Lee Stenson, who presented it to APS at their Lake Zurich, Illinois headquarters. Stenson also presented Bronze Certificate of Training Awards to several APS employees attesting to their successful completion of 12 hours of eligible aviation maintenance training. According to Stenson there are 4,885 Part 145 Repair Stations in the FAA database, up from 4,876 last year. Of these Repair Stations, only 854 are in the AMT program and only 191 earned an award. APS President and CEO Dan Colbert stated, "Providing high quality maintenance and repair services demands that our technicians receive continuous training to stay abreast of new developments in design, materials and regulatory matters. We invest heavily in our team members' maintaining strong technical skills, achieved through programs such as the FAA's AMT Program, as well as OEM training and in-house initiatives. Continuous education and training are integral to our core values." For more information, visit: www.aircraftpropeller.com http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12415763/aircraft-propeller-service-aps-receives-faas- amt-gold-award-of-excellence Back to Top JSSI Commits to Bringing Data and Transparency to Business Aviation CHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the leading independent provider of maintenance support and financial services to the aviation industry, is delivering a new level of market intelligence to the business aviation community with the acquisition of Conklin & de Decker Associates, announced last week at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland. An industry leader in aviation research, Conklin & de Decker has provided a wide range of aircraft cost and performance data for nearly 35 years. "With this acquisition, we are bringing enhanced data and insight to owners and operators of business jets, turboprops and helicopters," stated Neil Book, president and CEO for JSSI. "Combined with decades of experience, and a trove of data we have gathered as the sole independent provider of maintenance programs to the business aviation industry, we can now offer a unique and powerful platform to ensure aircraft buyers are more informed than ever before." Book added, "Our companies have much in common that make this such a good fit, including our independence, entrepreneurial roots and dedication to superior customer service. We are committed to delivering an ever greater level of transparency and insight to the global business aviation market and will aggressively pursue further opportunities with other complementary businesses in the future." Conklin & de Decker will now be recognized as a JSSI company, retaining the name that was created by founders William 'Bill' de Decker and the late Alan H. Conklin in 1984. Bill de Decker commented, "Our companies have many similarities, and all of us at Conklin & de Decker look forward to building on our synergies, especially our dedication to a service-based culture. We have worked very closely with the JSSI team since its inception in 1989, and now we are very proud to be a part of this successful and innovative company." The Conklin & de Decker collection of products and services include its flagship cost comparison tool, Aircraft Cost Evaluator; the Life Cycle Cost budgeting program; the Aircraft Performance Comparator; MxManager for maintenance tracking; and the State Tax Guide planning tool. In addition, they offer aircraft acquisition, fleet planning, finance, and tax consulting services, as well as educational seminars focused on aircraft acquisition, operating cost, and tax planning. About Jet Support Services, Inc. For nearly 30 years, Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), has been the leading independent provider of maintenance programs to the aviation industry, covering virtually all makes and models of aircraft, engines, and APUs. JSSI provides its customers with comprehensive, flexible and affordable financial programs and tools for managing the often unpredictable costs of operating and maintaining business and commercial jets, turboprops and helicopters. As the creator of the revolutionary Tip-to-TailŽ Program, JSSI is the only single source provider of this trademarked service. JSSI serves customers globally and manages maintenance services through its worldwide infrastructure of certified technical advisors. Other JSSI Services: * JSSI Parts gives clients the advantage of JSSI buying power and expertise as one of the largest purchasers of parts and maintenance services in the aviation industry. * Jet Engine Leasing offers engine- and APU-leasing solutions. JSSI owns several rental assets for hard-to-locate platforms and can source rental assets for almost anything that flies. * JSSI Advisory Services utilizes JSSI's technical expertise and global network to inspect aircraft, perform ASA-certified appraisals, assist with maintenance cost planning, manage maintenance events, and provide insurance claims management.JSSI's dedicated Asset Monitoring Platform (AMP), is available to aviation lenders as a tool to assist in the mitigation of risk and the management of financed aircraft. * Conklin & de Decker is now a JSSI Company * Conklin & de Decker, celebrating more than 30 years in business, is a leader in aviation research, consulting and education with offices in Massachusetts, Texas and Arizona. The mission of Conklin & de Decker is to enable the general aviation industry to make more informed decisions when dealing with the purchase, operation and disposition of aircraft by furnishing objective and impartial information. Founded in 1984, Conklin & de Decker focuses on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating cost, performance and specification databases, maintenance management software, financial management, fleet planning, market research, aviation tax issues, and financial, tax and management seminars. Conklin & de Decker consults with numerous individuals, corporations and government agencies worldwide. More information on their products and services, copies of articles published, and a unique "Members Only" section can be found on their website, www.conklindd.com. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jssi-commits-to-bringing-data-and-transparency-to- business-aviation-300659756.html Back to Top West Star Aviation Expands Recruitment Efforts To Attract New Talent une 5, 2018 - West Star Aviation is pleased to announce they are expanding their hiring efforts by attending several additional job fairs for aviation professionals at colleges and military recruiting events. The company is seeking to fill over 50 aircraft maintenance technician roles with various skill levels from recent graduates to lead technicians. In addition, the company has additional openings for avionics install and repair technicians. West Star will have HR representatives on-site to conduct interviews with potential candidates. West Star will be attending Spartan College of Aeronautics, Denver campus on June 6, 2018 as well as Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL. Additional dates include: June 21, Atlanta Veterans Job Fair in Atlanta, GA, June 22, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, in Chesapeake, VA and St. Louis Veterans Job Fair in St. Louis, MO on July 12, 2018. "We are proud to continue investing in the future generation and our veterans by promoting careers in the aviation industry through increased college recruiting events and job fairs," said Katie Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources, West Star Aviation. "We have seen a continued pattern of growth at all of our state-of-the-art facilities with expansion efforts and have an immediate need for quality and innovative technicians," Johnson continued. For more information on job fairs or to view open positions at West Star Aviation visit www.weststaraviation.com/careers/ or connect with Katie Johnson at 618.258.8030 or via email katiejohnson@wsa.aero. Voted #1 Preferred MRO for five consecutive years from 2014-2018 in Professional Pilot Magazine's annual "Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment" (PRASE) Survey, West Star Aviation specializes in the repair and maintenance of airframes, windows, and engines, as well as major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, surplus avionics sales, accessory services, paint and parts. In addition to its facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; and Chattanooga, TN, West Star Aviation runs maintenance operations at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, CO; Chicago Executive Airport in Chicago, IL; Centennial Airport in Denver, CO and Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport in Houston, TX. The company also provides complete FBO services for transient aircraft at its newly remodeled East Alton and Grand Junction facilities. West Star Aviation is an industry leader in technical experience and expertise while providing world-class customer services in all the organization's divisions. For more information visit www.weststaraviation.com or call 800- 922-2421 http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12415655/west-star-aviation-expands-recruitment- efforts-to-attract-new-talent Back to Top Fall Should Answer Some Big MRO Questions It's been a nice ten-year roll for aviation and aircraft maintenance, but all good rolls must come to, well, not an end, but maybe a change. Two significant changes at least look possible not so long from now. On the upside, capacity has tightened considerably for both airframe and engine shops, according to Jonathan Berger, managing director of Alton Aviation Consultancy. The downside possibility is that higher fuel prices will trim traffic growth and park more maintenance-hungry older jets. "There was excess capacity, now it is all consumed," Berger notes. "Ultimately, you will see MRO pricing increase." Before that happens, operators will begin to have trouble finding slots. "We are starting to see that." Scarce capacity can only be dealt with in two ways, higher pricing, which will encourage overtime work, higher wages and investment in new capacity, and operators making longer-term commitments to shops. Both possibilities favor MROs, and airlines will probably choose a mix of approaches. The summer traffic bump will delay this effect for a while, as aircraft will by flying rather than seeking hangars, especially in Europe and The Middle East. "There are slots to be had now," Berger observes. "But then comes fall and winter." The other big change in markets comes from oil, with Brent crude prices pushing toward $80 per barrel. Once again, few expect that to change much in the short term. Carriers do not make quick decisions on fleets, and most have hedged at least some short-term fuel prices. Add in that summer jump in demand, and there should not be any problem for a while. But don't kid yourself, significant and enduring fuel price increases affect costs, fares, traffic and fleets. Oil is now more than 30% higher than it was in late 2017 and nearly double the level of two years ago. A 30% boost in a cost that was 17% of airline operating costs boosts expenses 5%, and that boost must either come out of profits or increase fares. U.S. carriers averaged a 13% operating margin last year, so they, especially the more profitable LCCs and ULCCs, can probably absorb much of the increase in operating costs. But Europe and Asia averaged only 5%, Latin America 3%, The Middle East less than 1% and Africa had a loss. These regions have little if any room to absorb increased costs. If fuel prices stay up, fares will likely go up. Medium-term elasticity of demand hovers around 1, so a 3-5% increase in fares would nick 3- 5% off traffic growth. If fuel prices stay up. Fracking has blunted the worst tendency in oil markets, to swing widely up and down. Fracked supplies begin to offset losses in conventional production at $50 to $60 per barrel, but they can take time to kick in fully. Right now oil markets are expecting neither a return to 2017 pricing, nor a continued run-up in fuel costs. By June 1, Gulf Coast jet-fuel futures were forecasting a slow decline from $2.15 per gallon in June 2018 to $2.00 per gallon by April 2021. That is still above the $1.75 gallon at which the more fuel efficient neos and MAXs yield better economics than ceos and NGs. And it probably means a slightly faster pace in retiring older aircraft. Investment firm Cannacord Genuity judge that under reasonable demand assumptions retirements will have to increase from 2% to 3% of the active fleet to justify the new aircraft that OEMs are planning to build and deliver. If that is going to happen, we should probably see early signs of it by autumn 2018. http://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/fall-should-answer-some-big-mro- questions Back to Top Rusada Launching New Mobile Apps for Flight Data and Work Orders Rusada is preparing to launch two new mobile applications, which will integrate with its Envision nGen aviation maintenance and engineering software suite. The applications, which provide functionality for flight data capture and maintenance work orders, were developed to work seamlessly in an offline environment to make connectivity a non-issue. According to Cameron Molyneux, Rusada's head of technology, the company focused on two guiding principles during the development process. "Firstly, users need access to the information they need when and where they need it. Our apps have been engineered to be used regardless of connectivity to the main nGen system" says Molyneux. "Secondly, maintenance information systems are only as good as the data that is input-our goal was to allow users to input accurate data with as little interruption to their day-to-day tasks as possible." The applications, called Flight Log and Engineering Portal, were based on requirements Rusada gathered from its user community, including airlines and MROs. Flight Log will allow flight crew to capture flight data for flight and roster monitoring. Meanwhile, Engineering Portal will enable users to download work orders and related task lists onto devices such as a tablet, where they can then be used in environments with limited connectivity. While in offline mode, the application will allow requests of parts and tools as well as sign-off on tasks. Once connectivity is restored, the application will synch with the main system and the actions will be triggered. The applications, which began development last December, are planned for release in the coming weeks. Rusada is currently demonstrating both applications at this week's Airline and Aerospace MRO and Flight Operations Conference in Amsterdam. "Although still in development phase, we have demonstrated the functionality of both applications to a selection of our customers and have been encouraged by the constructive feedback," says Molyneux. Earlier this year, Rusada told MRO Network that its plans for 2018 include building on capabilities of the newest version of Envision nGen-which was released in 2017-and helping clients with a number of dedicated mobile applications. According to a spokesperson, Rusada is currently looking at applications for crew, among other things. The company is also building a materials application for use in inventory departments and a cloud-based notification application called nGen InTouch. The latter will allow users to stay "in touch" with nGen when away from the system and not logged in. http://www.mro-network.com/software/rusada-launching-new-mobile-apps-flight-data-and-work- orders Back to Top SpaceX Won't Launch Tourists Around the Moon This Year SpaceX won't launch two space tourists on a mission around the moon in 2018 after all, according to media reports. In February 2017, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk announced that the company aimed to fly two paying customers on a weeklong journey around the moon before the end of 2018, using its Dragon capsule and powerful Falcon Heavy rocket. (The customers, who have never been publicly identified, put down a deposit for the mission, SpaceX representatives said at the time.) But that timetable has now slipped to at least the middle of 2019, and possibly later, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday (June 3). SpaceX has not announced a new target date, according to the Journal, but that doesn't mean the landmark mission is off. "SpaceX is still planning to fly private individuals around the moon, and there is growing interest from many customers," SpaceX spokesman James Gleeson told the Journal via email. Dragon already flies robotic cargo missions to and from the International Space Station, launching atop SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 rocket. The company is working to get the crewed version of the capsule ready to go; SpaceX holds a multibillion-dollar NASA contract to ferry astronauts to and from the orbiting lab using Dragon and the Falcon 9. NASA had originally hoped that this astronaut-taxi system - and one being developed by Boeing, which also inked a commercial-crew deal with the space agency - would be ready to go in 2017. But progress has been slower than expected; SpaceX and Boeing are both officially targeting the latter half of 2018 for their first crewed test flights, but that milestone may slip into 2019. The reusable Falcon Heavy was still in development when Musk announced the around-the-moon mission, but the vehicle now has its wings. The giant rocket debuted in February in spectacular fashion, launching a Tesla Roadster carrying a mannequin dubbed "Starman" into deep space. And two of the three Falcon 9 first stages that make up the Heavy's first stage aced their landings back on Earth. https://www.space.com/40805-spacex-delays-tourist-trip-around-moon.html Curt Lewis