September 28, 2020 - No. 073 In This Issue Myrtle Beach aeronautics school earns school of distinction award for aviation maintenance training. New aviation business to land at Roswell airport Mango's Fleet Grounded Over Non-Payment, Still In 'Critical Discussions' with Maintenance Abu Dhabi's Sanad signs Dh1bn engine maintenance deal Thailand Inks $162 million T-6C Texan II Deal. S&B Acquires CAPE's Fuels Businesses GE9X Engine For Boeing 777X Earns FAA Certification Qatar Airways has more than 300 aircraft worth over $82bn still on order. Delta sets tentative date for first flight of larger Airbus A220-300 SpaceX wins launch contract for NASA space science mission Myrtle Beach aeronautics school earns school of distinction award for aviation maintenance training MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) - The Myrtle Beach Campus of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) has been recognized by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) as a 2020 ACCSC School of Distinction. The annual awards recognize schools' exemplary efforts in demonstrating a high level of achievement among their students, and their commitment to the accreditation process. Providing a high-quality education for students who are training to become aviation and aerospace technicians is the top priority at each of PIA's four locations, especially as the need for skilled technicians continues to exceed the available supply of talent. The many expected retirements of older maintenance technicians over the next decade will reduce this available talent pool further. According to Boeing's 2019 Pilot & Technician Outlook, 769,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed to fly and maintain the world fleet in the next 20 years. "Being named a School of Distinction is truly an honor for our entire organization, from our staff and faculty who strive to provide a top-flight education each day, to our students and graduates who carry their hard-working, high-achieving habits with them throughout their careers," says PIA Myrtle Beach Campus Director Peg Skalican. PIA Myrtle Beach was officially recognized at the 2020 ACCSC Virtual Professional Development Conference on September 22nd. Myrtle Beach is the third campus of PIA to be honored by ACCSC, following PIA Hagerstown which was recognized as a 2019 School of Excellence and PIA Youngstown which was recognized as a 2016 School of Excellence. https://www.wbtw.com/news/myrtle-beach-aeronautics-school-earns-school-of-distinction-award-for-aviation-maintenance-training/ Back to Top New aviation business to land at Roswell airport An Arizona-based aviation company has its sights set on Roswell, where it plans to bring 360 jobs over a five-year period, according to a news release from the state's Economic Development Department. Ascent Aviation Services, an airplane repair and maintenance company, will be expanding its operations to the Roswell Air Center. Ascent Aviation Services will be providing aircraft maintenance, reclamation and fueling services for a number of aircraft at the air center, which is storing 500 unused jets and private planes. The company will receive up to $4 million in funding from the state's Local Economic Development Act, while Chaves County has pledged another $3 million for utility and infrastructure improvements, the release said. Ascent, meanwhile, plans to invest $18 million into the Roswell location. Over the course of 10 years, Ascent Aviation Services is expected to bring $545 million in total economic impact to the Land of Enchantment. "Bringing 360 jobs to a rural community, a city like Roswell, is going to be huge," said Alicia Keyes, cabinet secretary at the New Mexico Economic Development Department. "We're hoping that it's the impetus for even more." The company plans to hire 130 employees in its first year in Roswell, paying an average salary of $54,000 a year. "With its clear blue skies and competitive business climate, New Mexico continues to attract top-tier aerospace companies," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in the release. "The Roswell Air Center is a unique economic driver that will, with the support of my administration, continue to bring high-quality and high-paying jobs to the area, and I am glad to welcome Ascent Aviation to the state." Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh said in a press release that Roswell is aiming to be a "global leader in the aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul industry." The aviation company is on track to lease 10 acres and construct a maintenance hanger for "wide-body jets." David Querio, Ascent Aviation Services president, wrote in the press release that local and state leaders eased the expansion process. "The state and county incentives show that New Mexico has a strong desire to bring in new businesses and create good jobs," Querio wrote in the release. "There can be a lot of pain associated with this type of expansion and everyone from Cabinet Secretary Keyes and Economic Division Director Mark Roper on down, including additional personnel from the State of New Mexico, Chaves County, and the City of Roswell, have all shown a desire to help. That has made this expansion possible." Ascent Aviation Services employs about 500 people at the Pinal Air Park in Marana, Arizona, and at the Tucson International Airport, spanning across five aircraft hangars and 1,230 acres. Outside of aircraft maintenance, Ascent Aviation Services plans to provide scholarship and internship opportunities for students studying aircraft maintenance at Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell and Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque. "Wherever possible we are looking to provide training and assistance so we can grow our own mechanics," Querio wrote in the release. "We know the importance of bringing something of this magnitude to Roswell." https://www.abqjournal.com/1501232/new-aviation-business-to-land-at-roswell-airport.html Back to Top Mango's Fleet Grounded Over Non-Payment, Still In 'Critical Discussions' with Maintenance South African Airways Technical (SAAT) has withdrawn its maintenance services effective Sept. 27, due to outstanding payments owed by South African Airways budget carrier Mango Airlines. The entire fleet of Mango Airlines now remains grounded with Mango flights currently being operated by Johannesburg-based Global Aviation Operations, confirmed Operations Manager Sybrand Strachan to ch-aviation. The low-cost carrier now remains hopeful that a resolution can be found in the ongoing discussions with SAAT. "Critical discussions with Mango and SAAT are still continuing today and we are hopeful of a resolution. Updates will be made available as soon as possible," said Mango spokesperson Benediction Zubane in a press statement on Sunday. "Mango continues to operate as per schedule under these challenging times and all customers are urged to check Mango's website for any changes to their flight status. We remain resolute to flying all passengers to their respective destinations as planned, and especially over the weekend." The report points out that SAAT - the fleet maintenance subsidiary of state-owned carrier South African Airways - withdrew its support for the airline due to alleged non-payment. According to airline spokesperson Tlali Tlali, speaking to ENCA, SAAT sent out communications to South African Airways about the suspension because as the airline would not be able to meet its obligations regarding payments. "SAA Technical has sent communication to SAA about the suspension. Because SAA hasn't been able to meet its obligations regarding payments. SAA Technical is pursuing its commercial interests and needs to ensure its customers are able to pay for services rendered," a statement on the issue released by SAAT reads. Tlali also stated a series of meetings would be taking place over the weekend between the airlines in an attempt to resolve the issue. "There are a series of critical meetings taking place this weekend to find a resolution to this situation because it has implications operationally," Tlali said. He added that while South African Airways was not operating commercial flights, it was conducting repatriation and charter flights. Some charters scheduled for next week could be affected if SAAT did not restore its services. State-owned South African Airways is also going through the same turbulence, with flights requiring a pre-flight inspection from the technical team before take-off. No aircraft can take to the skies without a thorough check from the technical crew. If SAAT does not resume its services, those flights will also be grounded. South African Airways, which has been in business rescue since December 2019, is currently awaiting government funding, with its administrators warning the company had run out of short-term cash to pay for operating expenses. https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/09/28/mango-s-fleet-grounded-over-non-payment-still-in-critical-discussions-with-maintenance-group/ Back to Top Abu Dhabi's Sanad signs Dh1bn engine maintenance deal Abu Dhabi's Sanad Aerotech, a unit of Mubadala Investment Company, signed a Dh1 billion engine maintenance deal with Pratt & Whitney and International Aero Engines (IAE). Under the new agreement, Sanad Aerotech will provide IAE with expanded maintenance, repair and overhaul services for its V2500 engines, which power the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, the Mubadala unit said in a statement on Monday during the Global Aerospace Summit. "We are signing this new agreement at a critical stage in the history of the aviation industry," Mansoor Janahi, deputy group chief executive of Sanad, said. "This agreement is another testament [to] Abu Dhabi's established position as a reliable global centre for the aerospace industry and its state-of-the-art engineering services." During the Global Aerospace Summit, which is being hosted online by Mubadala and Abu Dhabi defence company Edge, industry leaders convened to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the aerospace, defence and space industries. Sanad has not faced any disruptions to its operations during the pandemic, as it ensured the "supply chain was intact", Mr Janahi said during the summit. The new agreement expands the co-operation between Sanad and IAE in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft (MRO) engines. Under the agreement, IAE, the manufacturer of V2500 engines, will offload V2500 engines for MRO services to Sanad's facility in Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone. "The relationship between Pratt & Whitney, IAE and Sanad is strong and we look forward to continuing to strengthen it for years to come. We expect our V2500 customers will benefit greatly from the MRO services provided by Sanad," Dave Emmerling, vice president of Pratt & Whitney's commercial aftermarket unit, said. Sanad provides aerospace engineering and leasing services, counting global engine makers such as Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney among its customer base. It has serviced more than 300 V2500 engines since 2012 with year-on-year growth of over 19 per cent. More than 7,000 V2500 engines, which power Airbus A320 aircraft, have been sold worldwide and it is in service with 190 airlines and leasing companies. https://www.thenational.ae/business/aviation/abu-dhabi-s-sanad-signs-dh1bn-engine-maintenance-deal-1.1085016 Back to Top Thailand Inks $162 million T-6C Texan II Deal Textron Aviation Defense has secured a $162 million deal for 12 Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), as had been earlier suggested in a Thai presentation. The Integrated Training System will also cover ground-based training systems for pilots and maintenance professionals, a mission planning and debrief system, spare parts, and ground support equipment. Training for RTAF personnel will begin in Wichita, Kansas, in 2022 and the aircraft, designated as T-6TH, will be delivered to the RTAF between late 2022 and early 2023. Two of the type will be flown to Thailand while the remaining 10 while be shipped in crates. The T-6C will eventually replace the Pilatus PC-9, in line with the RTAF's 10-year Purchase and Development (P&D) Plan published in the white paper in 2020, with the light trainer aircraft program budgeted for THB5.2 billion ($164.3 million). The Kingdom will be the eleventh international customer for the T-6C. "This program is a leap towards the new perspective of the Thai government to support the local defense industry, not only to procure a new trainer," said Air Chief Marshal Maanat Wongwat, RTAF commander-in-chief, in a statement. "This program seeks the involvement between diverse partners, primarily between foreign and Thai local companies, which has been driven by the government's current S-Curve 11 strategy." At the RTAF's annual symposium presentation, it also revealed that it is seeking 12 AT-6TH Wolverines as replacement for the Aero L-39ZA/ART under the light attack aircraft replacement program, worth THB4.5 billion in the first phase. One of its project requirements is the possible integration of the Diehl Defence IRIS-T air-to-air missile. Diehl Defence said that it is presently not in discussion with the RTAF on the integration of IRIS-T into the AT-6THs, but the air force's plan would "make sense" as the weapon is already in use on the RTAF's three other combat aircraft, and Diehl would be "very much interested" to be part of the program. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-09-28/thailand-inks-162-million-t-6c-texan-ii-deal Back to Top S&B Acquires CAPE's Fuels Businesses HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 28, 2020-- S&B Infrastructure, Ltd. (S&B) today announced it acquired the domestic and international fuels business of the government and private sector contractor, Cape Environmental Management Inc. (CAPE), for an undisclosed amount. Teams install hydrant system piping and pits at the international terminal expansions at the El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia. (Photo: Business Wire) "We are thrilled at the prospects the acquisition brings to S&B and our clients," said Daniel Rios, president of S&B Infrastructure. "The acquisition strengthens our existing infrastructure capabilities to build or repair, as well as provide critical maintenance services for clients in government, energy, aviation, power, and more." The acquisition enables S&B to deliver specialized fueling systems to various industries, including aviation, specifically supporting aircraft fueling, commercial airports and military airfields to provide efficient, safe servicing between flights. The acquisition also allows S&B to offer in-house industrial services, including storage tank construction and repairs, specialized coatings and linings, and other critical maintenance and construction services. "Adding these services to our existing capabilities allows greater collaborative problem-solving and innovation in the field, resulting in reduced costs and increased efficiency for clients," said Troy Blackmon, senior vice president of construction for S&B Infrastructure. In addition to expanded capabilities, the acquisition also increases S&B's geographic footprint. As part of the transaction, S&B will add offices in Florida, Alabama, the Caribbean Islands, and South America. Up to 90 people from CAPE are expected to join S&B. "We believe our culture will be a great fit for the new employees, and we're happy to welcome them to the S&B family," said Rios. "We look forward to growing our expertise, continuing our focus on project execution, and delivering even greater quality to our clients." About S&B Infrastructure, Ltd. S&B Infrastructure, Ltd. was established in 1994 (one of the largest privately-owned engineering firms in the state of Texas). S&B provides planning, multi-discipline engineering design, and construction phase services for transportation, federal, public works and facilities. S&B provides services to both public- and private-sector clients. The company aspires to be the leader in providing quality professional design services and innovative, cost-effective construction solutions to meet client expectations. S&B provides an ethical environment that empowers employees to grow and contribute to the quality of life in the communities that S&B serves. S&B Infrastructure, Ltd. is part of the broader S&B family of companies, including S&B Engineers and Constructors, Ltd. Connect with us on Linkedin. https://www.argus-press.com/news/national/article_690d4fa2-69d6-559e-b111-7393c4bdd10b.html Back to Top GE9X Engine For Boeing 777X Earns FAA Certification GE Aviation's GE9X, the largest aircraft engine yet developed, has received FAA certification, marking a major step toward entry-into-service on the Boeing 777-9, the first of the 777X family, in 2022. Although certification tests were held up for several months in 2019 following the discovery of stator durability issues in the high-pressure compressor, GE cleared a redesign in time for the start of 777-9 flight tests in January. Eight GE9X engines, plus two spares, have so far been delivered to Boeing including powerplants for the fourth and final 777-9 test aircraft. That aircraft joined the certification campaign on Sept. 20. The test engines accumulated just under 5,000 hr. and 8,000 cycles during the certification program which included flights on the company's 747-400 flying testbed. Overall, 72 GE9X test flights, totaling more than 400 hours, were flown on the 747 which first flew with the engine in the left inboard wing position in March 2018. With FAR Part 33 engine certification completed, GE is also completing factory acceptance testing of the first batch of production GE9X units - deliveries of which to Boeing are expected to begin in the fourth quarter. The company also continues to run ground tests of engines in support of Extended Operations (ETOPS) approval and maturation as part of preparations for supporting engines in service. The final pre-certification task also included 1,000 hr. of test time for the Initial Maintenance Inspection (IMI) which establishes the maximum hours or cycles of service between maintenance intervals. The IMI also contributes to the on-going 3,000 hr. of run time for ETOPS testing. Aside from the 134-in. dia. fan, which comprises 16 composite blades, the GE9X is distinguished by an overall pressure ratio of 60:1, which is the highest for any commercial engine, as well as the incorporation of more than 300 additively manufactured parts. The engine also utilizes five components made from ceramic matrix composites including the first-stage shroud and first and second-stage nozzles on the high-pressure turbine, and the inner and outer linings of the combustor. Commenting publicly on a GE engine program for the first time since taking the helm at the start of the month, GE Aviation President and CEO John Slattery describes the GE9X as a "game-changing product" and adds that "there is no substitute that can achieve the combination of size, power and fuel efficiency." https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/aircraft-propulsion/ge9x-engine-boeing-777x-earns-faa-certification Back to Top Qatar Airways has more than 300 aircraft worth over $82bn still on order (MENAFN - Gulf Times) In 2019-20, Qatar Airways added some 22 new aircraft to its fleet, which includes 205 passenger aircraft, 28 Cargo aircraft and 25 Qatar Executive jets Qatar Airways has more than 300 aircraft worth over $82bn still on order (including options and letters of intent), the national airline said yesterday. With an average aircraft age of under six years, Qatar Airways' state-of-the-art fleet continues to be 'one of the youngest and most modern in the industry. Qatar Airways annual report (for fiscal 2020) shows that it received a new aircraft on average every 16 days, enabling the airline to 'continue our ambitious route expansion strategy and provide our passengers with increased connectivity across the globe. In the last financial year, Qatar Airways added some 22 new aircraft to its current impressive fleet, which included 205 passenger aircraft, 28 cargo aircraft and 25 Qatar Executive jets (as of 31 March, 2020). 'We committed to multiple agreements in July 2019 for aircraft and engines during a signing ceremony held at the White House, witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar and US President Donald Trump, the national airline said. This included an order for five Boeing 777 freighters valued at $1.8bn, 18 Gulfstream jets valued at over $1bn, and GE Aviation engine (GEnx and GE9X) and maintenance (MRO) agreements valued at over $5bn. In October 2019, Qatar Executive announced it would be the launch customer for Gulfstream's new flagship, the G700, with an agreement to purchase 10 aircraft. The G700 boasts business aviation's largest cabin and can fly farther and faster than any other competitor in the business jet industry. The following month, Qatar Airways and CFM International signed LEAP-1A engine and service agreements that would power the airline's new fleet of 50 A321neo family aircraft. The agreement is valued at $4bn over the life of the service contracts. 'Our customers are our number one priority, which is why every detail in the design of our aircraft is taken into consideration in order to deliver a superior customer experience and ensure we continue to provide our passengers with the most technologically-advanced, new generation aircraft. It is also the reason that Qatar Airways has a hard-earned reputation for delivering unprecedented customer comfort and safety. 'Qatar Airways' revolutionary Qsuite Business Class was added to 12 new destinations during the 2019-20 financial year including Auckland, Delhi, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Milan, Montreal and Philadelphia. Qatar Airways cargo fleet also benefited from the addition of five Boeing 777F during 2019-20. These new aircraft have significantly enhanced Qatar Airways Cargo's operational capability, making it extremely well-equipped to cater to the growing demand for freighter services from the cargo clientele. This rapidly expanding, and highly successful, division of the Qatar Airways Group is the world's leading air cargo carrier (measured by global share as at 31 March, 2020) and remains committed to delivering world-class freight services across the globe. https://menafn.com/1100866421/Qatar-Airways-has-more-than-300-aircraft-worth-over-82bn-still-on-order Back to Top Delta sets tentative date for first flight of larger Airbus A220-300 Delta Air Lines is getting ready to introduce an all new jet to its fleet in just over six weeks, a welcome bit of good news amid the drum beat of aircraft retirements during the coronavirus pandemic. The Atlanta-based carrier plans to debut its first Airbus A220-300s on Nov. 10, according to the latest update to Cirium schedules. The jet is a larger variant of the A220-100 that Delta already flies with room for 130 passengers, including 12 in first class, 30 Comfort Plus seats and 88 in economy. Delta's first A220-300 flight is tentatively scheduled as DL718 departing Salt Lake City (SLC) at 1:35 p.m. local time for Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) on Nov. 10, Cirium shows. A second flight, DL1058, is scheduled to depart the Utah capital at 5:55 p.m. for Austin (AUS) the same day, as is a return flight from Houston to Salt Lake City. The flights were first reported by AirlineGeeks. Flyers interested in getting on these initial A220-300 flights beware: these schedules are subject to change, often due to a myriad of factors outside of the airlines control. For example, the airline's first A220-100 flight was postponed nearly two weeks because of a certification delay related to the government shutdown at the time that lasted until Jan. 25, 2019. The news comes just days after Delta disclosed that it has moved forward plans to retire its Boeing 717s and 767-300ERs, as well as its Bombardier CRJ200s due to COVID-19. The 125 CRJ200s in the Delta Connection fleet will be gone by the end of 2023, and the 91 717s and 49 remaining 767-300ERs by end-2025. The three types join Boeing 737-700s and 777s, as well as McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and MD-90s, among planes Delta is retiring because of the pandemic. The 737-700s left this month, MD-88s and MD-90s left in June and the 777s are due to fly their final scheduled flight in October. The end point of all these moves is a simpler fleet for Delta. Reducing the number of jet types it flies will save the airline money in everything from crew training to maintenance needs. Simplification can also improve operations for passengers, reducing the likelihood of a plane being swapped for another jet with a different seating layout. On Sept. 17, J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker wrote that Delta's goal is to streamline its fleet around eight aircraft "families." This means planes with common training and maintenance needs. The 737-800 and 737-900ER, as an example, are all part of one aircraft family though the interiors are different for flyers. Delta had firm orders for 50 A220-300s as well as 14 more of the A220-100 at the end of August, according to Airbus orders and deliveries data. The carrier flew 31 of the smaller A220 - a number unchanged since the beginning of the crisis. The A220 has proven its worth for Delta for the duration of the pandemic. It is the only type that the carrier has not put any in storage. Instead, Delta has flown its full cohort of A220s since air travel tanked in March. "We have some planes that we're going to start taking from Airbus again," Delta CEO Ed Bastian told pilots during a virtual town hall on Sept. 22 viewed by TPG. He cited the recent arrival of two A350s and said more A220s and A321s were on their way before the end of 2020. A Delta spokesperson was not immediately available to comment on the A220-300 first flights. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/delta-sets-tentative-date-for-first-flight-of-larger-airbus-a220-300/ar-BB19v7PL?li=BBnbklE Back to Top SpaceX wins launch contract for NASA space science mission WASHINGTON - NASA has selected SpaceX to launch a space science mission and several secondary payloads, the latest in a series of wins by SpaceX for NASA science missions. NASA announced Sept. 28 it awarded a contract to SpaceX for the launch of its Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) spacecraft in 2024 from Cape Canaveral on a Falcon 9. The total value of the contract, covering launch and other "mission related costs," is $109.4 million. IMAP is a mission NASA selected for development in 2018 as part of its Solar Terrestrial Probes program. It will operate at the L-1 Lagrange point, 1.5 million kilometers from the Earth in the direction of the sun, to the study the boundary of the sun's heliosphere with interstellar space, and to measure the generation of cosmic rays. The launch will also carry several secondary payloads as part of a NASA initiative to take advantage of excess capacity on science missions. Those payloads include NASA's Lunar Trailblazer smallsat, which will orbit the moon to look for water ice, and NOAA's Space Weather Follow-On L-1 mission, a space weather monitoring mission that, like IMAP, will operate at the L-1 point. Two additional NASA heliophysics "missions of opportunity," yet to be selected, will also be on the launch. The contract is the latest in a string of victories for SpaceX in competitions to launch NASA science satellites. Those awards, though, have had a wide range of contract values, even for the same class of launch vehicle. SpaceX won a contract in April 2019 for the launch of NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission in 2021 worth $69 million. Three months later, the company won a contract for the launch of the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer smallsat, valued at $50.3 million. In February, it won a contract for the launch of the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem spacecraft worth $80.4 million. All three of those launches, like the IMAP mission, will use Falcon 9 rockets. One reason the IMAP mission may be more expensive than the others is the higher complexity of the mission, which includes several secondary payloads going to both the L-1 point and the moon. The value of the IMAP contract only slightly less than SpaceX's first Falcon Heavy contract with NASA, for the Psyche asteroid mission, awarded in February. That contract is worth $117 million. https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-launch-contract-for-nasa-space-science-mission/ Curt Lewis