February 27, 2020 - No. 014 In This Issue Air Canada Announces Establishment of Airframe Maintenance Centers of Excellence with AAR in Trois-Rivières and Avianor in Mirabel ST Engineering offers jobs to entire George Stone Technical College aircraft maintenance class Ivy Tech Partners with Sweet Aviation for Degree MTU Maintenance Opens Office in Aerospace Hub Dubai. Granger joins Gulfstream Aerospace to announce company's Texas expansion plans Embraer Revives AOG Effort with TEAM Concept ANA Will Roll Out Virtual Reality Staff Training MTU Maintenance Canada Becomes F138 Engine Depot for the United States Air Force Collins Aerospace showcases aftermarket support at MRO Middle East SpaceX gets approval to build its Mars spaceship at Port of L.A. Air Canada Announces Establishment of Airframe Maintenance Centers of Excellence with AAR in Trois-Rivières and Avianor in Mirabel Air Canada has entered into letters of intent with each of AAR Aircraft Services Trois-Rivières ULC ("AAR") and Avianor Inc ("Avianor") regarding long-term agreements for airframe maintenance, subject to completion of its planned merger with Transat, A.T. These long-term agreements would enable each of AAR and Avianor to develop Airframe Maintenance Centers of Excellence in Quebec for the aircraft types within their areas of expertise, both stimulating new investment in aerospace in Quebec and creating more high-quality aircraft maintenance jobs. The larger combined Airbus A330 fleet of Air Canada and Air Transat would enable Air Canada to move wide-body A330 maintenance work for both airlines from abroad to AAR in Trois-Rivières, in addition to maintaining and expanding AAR's airframe maintenance work in Quebec on the A320 family, including all new A321 neo aircraft. In addition, Avianor would establish a new Center of Excellence for Air Canada's new Airbus A220 fleet (formerly the Bombardier C-Series) in Mirabel, adjacent to Airbus' manufacturing facilities. The letters of intent are subject to completion of final agreements which will include terms generally applicable to airframe maintenance agreements of this scale. AAR Aircraft Services - Trois-Rivières, Quebec AAR currently performs airframe maintenance work in Trois-Rivières on Air Canada's existing Airbus A320 fleet and Embraer E190 fleet (which is being phased out). Air Canada and AAR have entered into a letter of intent that, subject to completion of the Transat merger by Air Canada, requisite Board of Directors' approvals and completion of final agreements, evidences the parties' intent to enter into a 10-year renewable agreement for airframe maintenance of both Air Canada's and Air Transat's fleet of Airbus A330 and A320 family of aircraft (including the new A321neo) in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. AAR intends to make the necessary facility infrastructure investments in Trois-Rivières to accommodate the new wide-body A330 work of the combined Air Canada and Air Transat fleets, given that there would be sufficient volumes of heavy maintenance work to support such an investment and to develop a Center of Excellence. Through this agreement, it is expected that incremental aerospace jobs will be created in Trois-Rivières and AAR's new capabilities should enable it to attract airframe maintenance work from other operators of the A330. "From our very first project in Trois-Rivières, we've seen a strong commitment to quality, safety and operational performance," said Rich Steer, Senior Vice-President, Operations at Air Canada. "With our largest hub a short distance away, we're excited to have a trusted partner like AAR with a similar commitment to excellence, and also proud to be increasing heavy maintenance work in Quebec, especially on wide-body aircraft. This contract for additional work in Trois-Rivières represents a long-term investment in increased airframe maintenance in Quebec." "We are honored to work closely with a highly regarded carrier like Air Canada for so many years and to be chosen as their maintenance provider for the A330 and A320 family fleet types," said Chris Jessup, Chief Commercial Officer, AAR Corp. "AAR is proud to support the Canadian economy and to grow our overall footprint in Trois-Rivières, especially for the A330." AAR Aircraft Services is a full-service aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, wholly-owned and operated by AAR Corp. with over 290,000 sf of facilities in Trois-Rivières, Quebec and Windsor, Ontario, along with facilities in the United States. AAR took over Premier Aviation's facilities in Trois-Rivières and Windsor in 2017. Since inception in 2002, the Trois-Rivières facility has experienced a steady growth of clients and services in general maintenance overhaul, modifications, refurbishment and paint requirements. In 2012, the Trois-Rivières facility started to perform MRO services for some of Air Canada's Embraer fleet, including painting and supporting backshops. AAR expanded Trois-Rivières MRO competencies in 2017 by performing all MRO services on Air Canada's Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. In September 2017, Air Canada awarded a 10-year contract to AAR for the maintenance of its 125 Airbus A320 and Embraer E190 single-aisle aircraft at the AAR facilities in Trois-Rivières, contributing to the continuance of 350 specialized jobs. This work was transferred to Quebec from AAR's Duluth, Minnesota facility. Avianor Inc. - Mirabel, Quebec Air Canada and Avianor have entered into a letter of intent that provides for a 10-year agreement for airframe maintenance of Air Canada's new fleet of Airbus A220 aircraft in Mirabel, Quebec. The agreement is subject to completion of Air Canada's planned merger with Transat, A.T., and completion of final agreements. Air Canada has a firm order of 45 A220s with options for an additional 30 aircraft. Its initial aircraft entered into service in January 2020. Avianor is well progressing in its study phase to construct a new 250,000-square-foot hangar in Mirabel in close proximity to the A220 manufacturing facilities of Airbus Canada (formerly the Bombardier facilities) in order to strategically position itself in the heavy maintenance, modification and completion of narrow-body aircraft and other key aircraft programs. The Air Canada work will position Avianor to attract airframe maintenance work from other A220 operators, as well to encourage other suppliers of the A220 to consider establishing operations nearby, thereby contributing to the establishment of a North American center of excellence in Mirabel. Air Canada's Senior Vice-President, Operations, Rich Steer, stated, "We have been very pleased with the work performed in Quebec by Avianor on Air Canada's fleet over the last years. This contract assures Air Canada of a quality solution for our Airbus A220 heavy maintenance needs in Quebec through Avianor's extensive and proven capabilities in this field." "This extended relationship with Air Canada shows the scale of technical support that Avianor offers in this competitive marketplace. To build great projects we always need to be surrounded by key players such as Air Canada and it goes without saying that we are extremely proud of today's strategic announcement. We are thrilled to be working with Air Canada, in support of their expanded fleet and are grateful for their confidence. With years in the industry, we are confident in our ability to provide world-class quality, genuine partnerships and proven customer support while allowing ourselves to envision an enviable Center of Excellence which could eventually regroup a variety of services such as maintenance, engineering, certification, education and training capabilities under one roof," said Benoit Hudon, President & CEO, Aerospace & Ground Transportation Division of DRAKKAR, majority owner of Avianor. Avianor was recently acquired by the Drakkar & Partner's Aerospace & Ground Transportation Division. Avianor specializes in maintenance, modifications and aircraft completion, including a highly skilled internal engineering support team. Avianor has positioned itself as a vertical integrator in the marketplace. The company occupies over 200,000 square feet of hangars, repair shops, fabrication facilities and warehouse space at Mirabel Airport (YMX) and employs more than 350 people. In November 2019, Avianor reached a highly important milestone and has received Transport Canada (TCCA) approval to add the Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 to its maintenance capability list. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21126830/air-canada-air-canada-announces-establishment-of-airframe-maintenance-centers-of-excellence-with-aar-in-troisrivires-and-avianor-in-mirabel Back to Top ST Engineering offers jobs to entire George Stone Technical College aircraft maintenance class An entire class of aviation maintenance students at George Stone Technical College received job offers from ST Engineering last week, college officials said. ST Engineering secured the final piece of a $218 million funding puzzle last week, and the aircraft maintenance and repair company is working with state and local government to bring 1,700 new jobs to the area. The company has been ramping up its staffing efforts over the past few years and historically it has gladly opened its doors to George Stone graduates. But last week, all 24 students who are set to complete their certification process this May were offered jobs when they finish school. It was a pleasant surprise and a vote of confidence for the program, college officials said. "This is new," said Cliff Vonada, aviation maintenance coordinator at George Stone, of the offers. "They have pretty much offered everybody that's come through the school a job, but this is the first time officially, in writing, it's been, 'Boom, here's your offer.' " Students in George Stone's aviation maintenance programs learn "anything to do with working on an airplane or helicopter" in an intensive two-year program, according to Vonada. The program's main hall is dotted with an assortment of wings, motors and aircraft fuselages, and workshops include a plethora of tools and realistic models of hydraulic systems, landing gear assemblies and electrical boxes. Friends Trent Martinez and Eli Brewton practiced riveting sheet metal panels in one of the workshops on a Monday morning. Both said they had high hopes for where a career in aviation maintenance would take them. "My whole family is a line of mechanics, mostly cars," Martinez said. "Aviation is a growing industry, and this is a good way to build and fix things while still making money at the same time." Vonada said new graduates typically come straight out of school making $40,000 to $50,000 a year, and that salaries grow quickly as mechanics gain skill and experience. There is a waiting list to enroll in the program, and to keep up with demand, the college has applied for a state grant to hire new instructors and offer night classes. Vonada said the program is growing because there is a high demand for aircraft mechanics across the country. "These people have a job six months before they ever leave here," Vonada said of program graduates. Most of the 24 graduating students said they were mulling over the ST Engineering offer, but that they wanted to consider all of their options. Vonada said there are about 25 different companies that tend to hire George Stone graduates, and each one brings different pros and cons in terms of salary, workload and travel requirements. As one of the largest local firms, ST Engineering offers a paid student mechanic program where budding workers can get some real-world experience. Student Andrew Foote, who is part of the May graduating class, said the on-the-job training he'd gotten by working at ST Engineering was invaluable. "I've been able to show what I'm worth, I've done things I wouldn't normally be able to do as a student ... and I've got to learn from other people's experience," he said. Preston Harris, another May graduate, said he was starting a position as an ST Engineering student mechanic in the upcoming weekend. He had already turned down several job offers, predominantly in areas that snowed, he added with a laugh. "Jobs will never be scarce," Harris said. "I feel like as long as there's a plane (that will need repairs), I can go there." https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/02/25/st-engineering-offers-jobs-entire-george-stone-technical-college-class/4857999002/ Back to Top Ivy Tech Partners with Sweet Aviation for Degree FORT WAYNE - Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and Sweet Aviation are partnering on a new Professional Flight Associate of Applied Science degree. The program will combine 32 credit hours of classroom time with more than 200 hours of flight training and is slated to launch this fall. The programs is the second of its kind for Ivy Tech. The college's Fort Wayne campus has offered Aviation Maintenance Technology since 2007. The training aims to prepare students for a career in aviation in two years. After graduation, students will be ready to work as Single Engine Land rated commercial pilots or have the opportunity to transfer credits to an aviation management bachelor's program at a four-year university. "With career opportunities in aviation at an all-time high, our partnership with Ivy Tech will allow students to pursue and achieve the aviation degree and certifications they need at a respected institute with access to Sweet Aviation's experienced and professional certified flight instructors and premier fleet of aircraft," says Joel Pierce, General Manager and Chief Flight Instructor at Sweet Aviation. https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/41809031/ivy-tech-partners-with-sweet-aviation-for-degree Back to Top MTU Maintenance Opens Office in Aerospace Hub Dubai MTU Maintenance announced at the MRO Middle East today that it has opened an office in close vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB). While MTU has always been present in the region, the company is proud to have made this move and be even closer to its customers. It is part of its global growth strategy and enables immediate proximity to the commercial engine maintenance and leasing scene in the region - and in turn, to meet their needs better and faster. This opening follows on from the recently opened MTU Maintenance Lease Services office in Singapore and Dublin. "Some of our largest customers are based in Middle East. This move is a deliberate step in our global growth strategy to strengthen our customer relationships and be on hand to most flexibly respond to their needs," says Martin Friis-Petersen, senior vice president MRO Programs, MTU Aero Engines. "And it is a clear signal as to the importance of the Middle Eastern region for MTU." "We have over 20 customers in the region. MTU tailors excellent solutions for a variety of engine types including for the GE90, the world's largest turbofan." adds Sami Ben-Kraiem, vice president marketing and sales, Middle East & Southeast Asia. "We support our customers with these high value engines from their entry into service, for example with sale and lease back, reliable MRO performance, right up to the migration or exit of such fleets, both within and beyond the region." MTU Maintenance also sees strong demand for narrowbody services in the Middle East and is experiencing an increase in CFM56 and V2500 shop visits from the region to its facilities in Hannover and Zhuhai. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/press-release/21126773/mtu-aero-engines-gmbh-mtu-maintenance-opens-office-in-aerospace-hub-dubai Back to Top Granger joins Gulfstream Aerospace to announce company's Texas expansion plans U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) on Feb. 20 praised the development of a new Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. maintenance facility in her home state during the company's expansion announcement event in Fort Worth. "North Texas leads the nation with over 135,000 highly skilled aviation and aerospace workers that stand ready to answer our nation's call," Rep. Granger said last week. "Gulfstream, like so many of our other industrial partners, is transforming Fort Worth and north Texas into our nation's premier hub for the aviation industry. I am proud that Gulfstream has decided to call Fort Worth home - this is a big win for Gulfstream, Alliance, and our great city." During the event, Gulfstream announced it will expand its operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, spending $35 million to construct a service center at Fort Worth Alliance Airport that will complement Gulfstream's presence at Dallas Love Field. Groundbreaking on the facility is scheduled for this year's third quarter with the opening slated for 2021, creating some 50 new jobs, according to Gulfstream. "We warmly welcome Gulfstream to the AllianceTexas aviation and aerospace community," said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood, the developer of AllianceTexas. "Their expansion here will allow them to leverage specialized area aviation training programs and provide them with access to a sizable talented workforce in a unique environment that fosters further growth. We look forward to a long relationship and sharing in their continued success." Rep. Granger, ranking member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, said during the event that she was proud to join the leadership teams and employees from Alliance Airport, Hillwood, and Gulfstream to celebrate the creation of a new aircraft maintenance and repair facility at Alliance Airport. "Over three decades ago, the visionaries at Hillwood transformed thousands of acres of ranchland into the world's first industrial airport - Alliance Airport," said the congresswoman. "Today, Alliance Airport serves as the gateway to north Texas and brings in over $7 billion to our north Texas economy each and every year." Rep. Granger noted that Gulfstream's new service center will be a state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance facility that "will allow Gulfstream to capitalize on the advantages that Alliance airport offers." https://riponadvance.com/stories/granger-joins-gulfstream-aerospace-to-announce-companys-texas-expansion-plans/ Back to Top Embraer Revives AOG Effort with TEAM Concept Embraer Executive Jets (EEJ) has revived an organized AOG effort that it calls Technical Experts in Aviation Maintenance (TEAM). The two-year effort has led the Brazilian airframer to establish TEAMs at company-owned service centers at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, and Sorocaba Airport in São Paulo, Brazil. An EEJ spokeswoman told AIN the OEM stopped dedicating specific personnel to AOG in 2016. It instead pulled personnel from scheduled maintenance when AOG events arose. "We have now organized the teams as unscheduled manpower support and have rebranded the support function as the TEAM concept," she said. This year, EEJ will establish TEAMs at service centers at Melbourne International Airport in Florida and Paris Le Bourget Airport in France. Further expansion will be considered "as the need increases and we can prove the benefit of this concept," the spokeswoman said. TEAMs are equipped with support vehicles and EEJ is reviewing the use of aircraft to support them. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-02-26/embraer-revives-aog-effort-team-concept Back to Top ANA Will Roll Out Virtual Reality Staff Training ANA is planning to roll out a unique form of training for its aircraft maintenance crews and cabin team members, using virtual reality. Virtual reality (known as VR) has become very impressive in recent years thanks to big companies like Facebook investing in the space, although its uptake within the aviation industry has, so far, been limited to entertainment. What are the details? All Nippon Airways (ANA), a major flag carrier of Japan, has started a trial of innovative new VR technology to train not only its cabin crews but maintenance team members as well. The headsets and controls will allow those undergoing training to not only look at an aircraft in a fully released space, but also interact with virtual objects thanks to controllers that track each finger. The programs will specifically guide users through a narrative simulation, following on-screen instructions to perform a range of different actions. Some of these narrative simulations will replicate real-life workplace and flying accidents and show how to react in them (much like how pilots do with their own simulations). If a trainee makes a mistake and compromises the safety of the aircraft, they will be instantly alerted and told exactly what step they missed. Ideally, these simulated computer environments will allow trainees to mess around and be reprimanded for mistakes without actually causing any real problems. This will allow them to work in the real world with confidence. "Safety has always been a top priority for ANA, and incorporating the latest VR technology into our training procedures is the next step in creating a safer environment for our employees," said Tatsuhiko Mitsukura, Executive Vice President of ANA in a press release. "Time and time again, we have embraced advanced technology to train our employees because we believe that it is important to remain at the cutting edge when it comes to safety." "The VR Safety Training System is part of ANA's fundamental commitment to providing safe, quality and comfortable air travel. Innovation is a fundamental part of ANA's outlook, and the airline will continue to implement the latest technological advancements to improve every aspect of the air travel experience." - ANA press release Likely ANA is the first of many airlines to offer this training for their cabin crew, and we can't wait to see the product rolled out. It is not the first time that an airline has experimented with virtual reality, with airlines like British Airways trialing virtual reality entertainment on New York flights. Although so far the product has only been limited to first-class passengers. ANA also recently placed an order for 20 more Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (15 orders and 5 options that they may activate in the future), to expand its fleet and slowly replace older aircraft like the Boeing 777. https://simpleflying.com/ana-will-roll-out-virtual-reality-staff-training/ Back to Top MTU Maintenance Canada Becomes F138 Engine Depot for the United States Air Force MTU Maintenance Canada Ltd, MTU's stronghold and competence center for military engine maintenance will support the United States Air Force's (USAF) F138 engines and components with depot maintenance, repair and overhaul. The contract is currently valued at 225 million USD, awarded via the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and runs for ten years to February 2030. The F138 is the military variant of the CF6-80C2 engine and powers the C-5M Super Galaxy - the largest aircraft in the USAF inventory with four of these engines. The CF6-80C2 program was recently introduced at MTU Maintenance Canada, with the first engine inducted in early 2020 and test cell correlation currently underway. "We are delighted to have been awarded such a prestigious contract right off the bat," says Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer, MTU Aero Engines. "This is one of the largest contracts in MTU Maintenance Canada's history and we look forward to providing USAF with excellent technical support." "The CF6-80C2, and its military variant the F138, is a logical introduction into the MTU Maintenance Canada portfolio, as we have already serviced CF6-50 and KC-10 engines in the past," adds Helmut Neuper, CEO and President, MTU Maintenance Canada. "We had a great track record of 100 percent on time delivery within the KC-10 program, a military derivative of the CF6-50 engine, and are delighted to have become prime contractor in this case." The first F138 USAF delivery order is expected in April this year. MTU Maintenance Canada is the North American member of the MTU Maintenance network of companies, the global leader in customized services for aero engines. Based in British Columbia (BC), the company operates a shop where it repairs and overhauls engines and accessories and performs engine tests. MTU's Canadian affiliate holds licenses for work on the CF6, CFM56 and V2500 engine families. Alongside accessory repairs, the company also offers its customers so-called Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) management services which play an increasing role in MTU's service offerings. Last year, the company committed to significantly increasing capacity and engine portfolio within North America. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21127295/mtu-mtu-maintenance-canada-becomes-f138-engine-depot-for-the-united-states-air-force Back to Top Collins Aerospace showcases aftermarket support at MRO Middle East Collins Aerospace is participating in MRO Middle East 2020, taking place this week in Dubai, UAE, presenting the extensive range of aftermarket services and support it has to offer in the region. Collins Aerospace's Aftermarket Services, which has been established in Dubai since 2006, is also highlighting the issue of disrupting and advancing aviation maintenance. Dubai MRO Center Jamie French (above), General Manager, Aftermarket Services, Collins Aerospace, said: "Our aerostructures MRO supports a wide range of repair and overhaul capabilities. We also have a twenty-four seven AOG (Aircraft-On-Ground) team for support." The company's MRO centre is strategically located to suit customer needs in Jebel Ali Free Zone (South). It has a 114,000 square foot facility and provides services to support demands that range across Interiors, Aerostructures, Landing Systems and Power & Controls. https://www.arabianaerospace.aero/collins-aerospace-showcases-aftermarket-support-at-mro-middle-east.html Back to Top SpaceX gets approval to build its Mars spaceship at Port of L.A. SpaceX's road map to Mars now includes the Port of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council approved a permit Tuesday that allows the Elon Musk-led company to use a site on Terminal Island at the port to build aerospace parts. With the vote, SpaceX is now cleared to start work at the site; last week, the L.A. Board of Harbor Commissioners green-lighted the permit. SpaceX representatives told L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino's office that the company was interested in the port site because it needed additional manufacturing capacity for its Starship spaceship and rocket booster. A SpaceX representative at last week's harbor commissioners meeting did not mention Starship by name during his presentation of the project, but he said the company would use the port site to further its goal of creating an interplanetary society that includes Mars. The site will be used for engineering, manufacturing and research and development work on Starship, Buscaino said minutes before Tuesday's vote. "It's crazy that here we are in 2020 preparing ourselves to send people to Mars, and it's going to happen in our own backyard, in San Pedro," he said. "We are becoming a spaceport." If the port announcement feels like déjà vu, there's a reason. In 2018, the company said it would build its Mars rocket and spaceship at the port and got approval from the Board of Harbor Commissioners and the L.A. City Council to lease that same swath of land on Terminal Island. A year later, SpaceX changed its mind and moved the work to Texas, citing a need to "streamline operations." The company is currently building prototypes of the Starship system at its facility near Boca Chica Beach in south Texas. In Southern California, it manufactures Falcon 9 rockets and Dragon capsules in Hawthorne, the site of its headquarters. Last month, a company official approached Buscaino and the Harbor Department about reviving the port plan. "We are just fired up over this renewed interest," Buscaino said in an interview this month. "We're creating a Silicon Harbor where you're going to have ideas and see before our own eyes the build-out of Starship." SpaceX told Buscaino that it wanted to move quickly to build out the port site for its project. But the company does have the right to terminate the permit within 180 days of it going into effect. On Tuesday, SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment about the results of the vote or how it will proceed now that it has the necessary approvals. The initial permit covers about 12.4 acres at the former Southwest Marine site at Terminal Island with an option to increase to 19 acres. SpaceX has said it will refurbish some of the buildings there and may also add a temporary tent-like structure. The company wanted a spot by the water because the spacecraft and parts it plans to build will be too large to transport by road and would need to be moved to the eventual launch site - which could be in Texas or Florida - by barge or ship. The Terminal Island site was first developed for shipbuilding in 1918 and acquired four years later by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. During its World War II heyday, the shipyard built about 40 destroyers and employed 6,000 people. After the war, the site housed ship repair work and stored Navy oil tankers. It has been derelict for the last 15 years. The SpaceX project could create 130 jobs, according to a document from the Port of L.A. SpaceX would pay an initial annual rent of $1.7 million, plus yearly increases based on the consumer price index. The company can also qualify for rent credits if it improves the property. The City Council approved the permit on a 12-0 vote. Councilmen Mike Bonin, Jose Huizar and John Lee did not vote. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-02-25/spacex-building-mars-starship-port-of-los-angeles Curt Lewis