July 7, 2022 - No. 30 In This Issue : Collins Aerospace opens new additive manufacturing centre to expand global repair capabilities : Vertical Aerospace taps Molicel as eVTOL air taxi battery provider : AMP Earns Saudi Repair Certification : AMFA Urges Support for the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act : EASA Proposes New Regulatory Framework for Air Taxi Operations : French aerospace major Safran to set up engine maintenance facility in Hyderabad : FAA Awards 11 Spots on $2.3B System Engineering & Technical Innovative Solutions IDIQ : Bombardier Inaugurates Quadruple-sized Singapore Service Centre, the Largest OEM Business Aviation Facility in Asia Pacific : IndiGo Denies 'Smoke in Cabin' Incident on Raipur-Indore Flight Collins Aerospace opens new additive manufacturing centre to expand global repair capabilities Collins Aerospace launch new AM centre at their multi-million-dollar campus in Monroe, North Carolina. Collins Aerospace is set to open a new additive manufacturing centre as their North Carolina based facility set to join their worldwide network of additive production centres. On the 10th June, Collins Aerospace announced the opening of the new centre at their campus in Monroe, North Carolina, that has recently undergone a 30 million USD expansion, and received a further 15million USD as part of the Monroe City Council and Union County Board of Commissioners MAGNET100 economic development incentive program. Collins Aerospace Vice President Kevin Myers said: “By using additive manufacturing to produce aircraft parts and components, we can help reduce weight, cost and time to market, and provide more sustainable solutions for our customers.” The new centre includes two 3D printers, with plans to add more in the future. The existing network of centres includes sites in Iowa, Minnesota and Singapore. With additive research centres in Connecticut and Poland. The Monroe facility will aim to support the next generation of aircraft with state-of-the-art systems and designs. Collins is a leading provider of MRO services for aircraft systems, they maintain a worldwide network of 75 MRO sites to serve its global customer base. Their 160,000-square-foot Monroe MRO campus opened in 2004 and serves more than 300 customers across the aerospace and defence industry. “Our Monroe site is one of Collins’ largest MRO facilities in the world, and the repairs we provide are essential to keeping our airline and military customers’ aircraft in service.” said Mary DeStaffan, Monroe site general manager for Collins Aerospace. “We’re proud to call Monroe home, to continue to invest and grow the community here, and to support the region’s growing aerospace cluster.” “Collins Aerospace is a vital corporate partner and a cornerstone of our aerospace cluster here in Monroe and Union County.” stated Monroe Mayor Marion Holloway. “Not only are we excited about the current success of our company and their investments here, but their continued commitment to the residents of our community.” https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/collins-aerospace-opens-new-additive-manufacturing-centre/ Vertical Aerospace taps Molicel as eVTOL air taxi battery provider London-based developer of the VX4 electric takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) Vertical Aerospace has signed on E-One Moli Energy Corp. to design and supply the ion-lithium batteries that will power its future air taxis. Vertical revealed the link-up with E-One Moli Energy – Molicel for short – in what it called a major step in developing its eVTOL VX4 toward certification, production, and air taxi services it aims to launch in 2025. After consulting with what it called “dozens of cell manufacturers,” Vertical selected Taiwan-based Molicel as an established and continually innovating player in battery production, with clients including NASA and William’s Advanced Engineering. Molicel will design and manufacture batteries for Vertical with a focus on deft management of thermal runaway events – a key safety detail within certification criteria – as well as cell life and re-use after they’ve become obsolete for powering aircraft. Vertical also chose Molicel for its plans to open a second Gigafactor, which will more than double its current 1.6Gwh annual capacity, in order to meet demand from future eVTOL VX4 air taxis. Vertical has said it will seek concurrent certification of the VX4 in both the UK and European Union – an objective that was considerably simplified by regulators in Britain saying last month they’d adopt the European Aviation Safety Agency’s standards for eVTOL air taxis. The four-passenger, single-pilot Vertical VX4 eVTOL is projected to reach speeds of up to 200 mph over a range of more than 100 nearly silent miles of flight, with zero emissions and lower cost per passenger mile than many air taxis under development. Securing a partner for the conception and sufficient production capacities of safe, powerful, and reliable batteries to power the aircraft was considered a major challenge remaining for the company. For that reason, Vertical CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick cheered the link-up with Molicel as bringing future VX4 service – and eVTOL air taxi travel in general – closer to reality. “The future of electric aviation is dependent on safe, high-performance battery systems and fundamental to this is the battery cells themselves,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s why I am delighted to be partnering with Molicel, producer of the world’s highest power cells. Molicel has a rich history of innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in energy storage. We see many similarities between ourselves and Molicel and we couldn’t think of a better partner to bring the VX4 to market.” Vertical says its pre-order book of up to 1,350 eVTOL aircraft options is worth around $5.4 billion. Clients behind those include American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Bristow, Marubeni, and Iberojet, as well as Japan Airlines, Gol, Gozen Holding, and AirAsia, https://dronedj.com/2022/07/07/vertical-aerospace-taps-molicel-as-evtol-air-taxi-battery-provider/ AMP Earns Saudi Repair Certification Texas-based Aviation Maintenance Professionals has received certification from the Saudia Arabian GACA to provide maintenance, repair, and upgrades to Saudi-registered Bombardier/Learjets as well as Gulfstreams, Hawkers, and Dassault jets. Aviation Maintenance Professionals (AMP) has received certification from the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to provide maintenance, repair, and upgrades to Saudi-registered Gulfstream, Bombardier/Learjet, Hawker, and Dassault jets. Brian Allen, president of the Arlington, Texas-based MRO provider, said a customer recommended his company seek the certification. “Initially we were approached by an operator in-country to handle a few maintenance items while they completed a significant avionics upgrade,” Allen explained. “The client was pleased with our performance and suggested we apply for GACA approval in order to both oversee the remaining upgrades across their fleet and their ongoing maintenance requirements.” It’s the second foreign repair certification AMP has secured, with the first in 2013 from the Mexican Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. “We approach the expansion of our size, product offerings, and market reach steadily and cautiously to ensure we maintain the high levels of service,” added AMP COO and accountable manager Jim Balzer. “With hangar space and labor availability shortages worldwide, this is an excellent time to expand our reach.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-07-06/amp-earns-saudi-repair-certification AMFA Urges Support for the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association CENTENNIAL, Colo., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed The Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321) yesterday, calling for unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, as well as additional safety improvements. "Chairman DeFazio has been out in front leading on the issue of aviation maintenance safety," stated AMFA National President Bret Oestreich. "Although we preferred the most stringent language, this bipartisan legislation is a necessary step forward and helps level the playing field for U.S. workers and the companies that employ them, while keeping the flying public safe." "This proposed legislation goes straight to AMFA's motto that safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground," noted Mr. Oestreich. "We are in support and urge the House and Senate to pass this legislation swiftly. AMFA stands by ready to engage further to ensure our air transportation system is the safest possible system in the world." The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union. AMFA represents licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees actively involved in the aviation industry. These technician and related employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled folks it represents. For more information about AMFA visit www.amfanational.org. SOURCE Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amfa-urges-support-for-the-global-aircraft-maintenance-safety-improvement-act-301569880.html EASA Proposes New Regulatory Framework for Air Taxi Operations EASA published a Notice of Proposed Amendment to recommend a comprehensive new regulatory framework for urban air mobility, including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) proposed a comprehensive new regulatory framework for operating air taxis in cities. Manufacturers of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft have worked with EASA in developing regulations since 2019, a representative from EASA told Avionics. The proposed rules are open for public consultation until October 1. Following any necessary revisions, the European Commission will review EASA’s regulatory framework in 2023 before making a decision. EASA published the Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) on June 30, including recommendations for creating new amendments as well as updating existing regulations in the EU. Key areas of focus in the NPA are airworthiness certification for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), and operational requirements for crewed VTOL aircraft. The NPA outlines some specific objectives, including ensuring a high level of safety for UAS and VTOL operations; establishing an efficient regulatory framework that allows for innovation and developments in the UAS market; and eliminating any inconsistencies in the regulations across the member states of the EU. EASA also introduced concepts for standardizing the definitions of urban air mobility (UAM) and for VTOL-capable aircraft. The agency will regulate UAS and VTOL operations not only within urban environments, it states, but also those operations where the aircraft is traveling in or out of an urban environment. EASA’s definition of VTOL-capable aircraft is “a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft, other than aeroplane or rotorcraft, capable of performing vertical take-off and landing by means of lift or thrust units used to provide lift during take-off and landing,” according to the NPA. The document explains that this proposed definition of VTOL aircraft also necessitates limiting the definition of “helicopter” as follows: “heavier-than-air aircraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on up to two power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes.” Helicopters should be considered a subcategory of rotorcraft. Aircraft configured with more than two power-driven rotors must be initially classified as VTOL-capable, according to EASA. EASA lays out tasks to ensure continuing airworthiness of uncrewed aircraft, including pre-flight inspections of the aircraft, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, compliance with any airworthiness directive issued by the agency that is applicable, and maintenance check flights as needed. The UAS maintenance program will undergo a review at least every year to evaluate its effectiveness. The NPA recommends requirements for VTOL operations with a single pilot under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or at night. This includes pilot training related to engine management and emergency handling as well as air traffic control (ATC) communication, autopilot management (when applicable), and using simplified in-flight documentation. EASA also proposes that the pilot should have 25 hours of total IFR flight experience and 25 hours of experience flying a VTOL aircraft as a single pilot. Because aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing will introduce novel technologies, and will operate differently than conventional aircraft, the NPA states that there needs to be a requirement for installing recorders as part of the airworthiness requirements for VTOL aircraft. EASA suggests in its proposed regulations that some data can be transmitted and recorded remotely. According to the representative from EASA, “This is a provision established through the requirement of Special Condition VTOL.2555(f) that would apply in case the VTOL aircraft would be remotely controlled by means of a command unit. The proposed operational rules apply only to VTOL with a pilot on board.” Last year, EASA published a study on societal acceptance of urban air mobility operations in Europe. The study took into account survey responses from 4,000 citizens and 40 qualitative interviews. Although implementing VTOL operations for emergency medical services is one of the most accepted applications for these types of aircraft, one challenge is ensuring the availability of infrastructure such as vertiports, according to the spokesperson from EASA. They added that battery management and noise are two other potential concerns, although VTOL aircraft will have lower noise levels than helicopters. A few months ago, EASA released guidance regarding the design of vertiports (EASA’s original report can be viewed here). The NPA that was just published also includes recommendations surrounding regulation of infrastructure like vertiports. When establishing a vertiport within the airside of an aerodrome, EASA suggests that a wake-turbulence analysis is needed in order to evaluate risks with conventional manned aircraft flying near the aerodrome. “We will be conducting studies [involving] all the relevant stakeholders such as VTOL manufacturers, ANSP, airport operators and EUROCONTROL as well as the Member States,” the representative shared. “We will be using methods equivalent to the one we have used for establishing the EU RECAT after the safety assessment was performed.” "Predetermined VFR VTOL routes should be established to prevent conflicting situations (e.g. crossing, head-on or overtaking situation)." – EASA's proposed regulations for urban air mobility operations (Photo: EASA) EASA proposes measures for mitigating the risk if there is a large number of VTOL aircraft operations and ATC is not able to safely manage the additional amount of traffic. One recommendation is to assign VTOL aircraft in uncontrolled airspace to predetermined VFR (Visual Flight Rules) routes. The representative from EASA explained that “in order to be able to allow regular VFR VTOL operations between vertiport pairs, there is a need to establish a network of those VFR routes based on the assessment performed by the operator.” This would follow consideration of aspects such as “the airspace traffic, complexity, their aircraft endurance, availability of alternate vertiports and operation sites for the case of contingency and/or emergencies as well as other aspects such as the existence of other VTOL operations utilizing the same vertiports, the implementation of U-space, the existence of environmental protected areas and the acceptable noise levels.” Before beginning operations, EASA’s spokesperson noted, the individual national or local authorities from within EASA member-nations would need to approve the establishment of a network of VFR routes that takes into account the previously mentioned aspects. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2022/07/07/easa-proposes-new-regulatory-framework-for-air-taxi-operations/ French aerospace major Safran to set up engine maintenance facility in Hyderabad The facility will be set up with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore and is expected to create about 1,000 high-skilled jobs in Telangana by 2025. French aerospace major Safran on July 7 said the company will set up its largest and first aircraft engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad. The facility will be built with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore and is expected to create about 1,000 high-skilled jobs in Telangana by 2025. The MRO will also give a significant boost to Hyderabad International Airport and the Telangana aviation ecosystem. "The largest MRO centre in the network, it will start operations in 2025 and will eventually offer an annual capacity of 250 to 300 engine shop visits," Jean-Paul Alary, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines said. The new 35,000-sqm facility will come up in the GMR Industrial Park at Shamshabad and will also overhaul the Leap 1A and Leap 1B aero-engines used by Indian and foreign commercial airlines. Safran has also set up two mega aerospace projects in Hyderabad which were inaugurated on July 7. The Safran Electrical & Power factory produces engine wire harnesses and the Safran Aircraft Engines factory manufactures critical aero-engine parts for LEAP engines. Both these factories are located near the GMR International Airport in Hyderabad. The Safran Aircraft Engines plant, spanning 15,000 square metres, will make rotating parts for the LEAP engine from CFM International. It will provide the additional capacity needed to meet the requirements of a production ramp-up for the best-selling commercial aeroplane engine of its generation. Safran is also going to inaugurate its third plant on July 8 in Bangalore, for Safran HAL Aircraft Engines, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/french-aerospace-major-safran-to-set-up-engine-maintenance-facility-in-hyderabad-8795761.html FAA Awards 11 Spots on $2.3B System Engineering & Technical Innovative Solutions IDIQ The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded 11 companies positions on a potential 10-year, $2.27 billion contract to provide systems engineering and technical services in support of FAA’s National Airspace System and other aviation-related mission objectives. The System Engineering and Technical Innovative Solutions multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract also covers service analysis, research, strategic planning, financial, programmatic support and aviation-related services, according to an award notice published June 30. The contract has a base term of three years, one three-year option period and two option periods of two years each. The awardees on the SETIS multiple-award contract are: • A3 Technology • Advanced Sciences and Technologies • ATAC • Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) • Cavan Solutions • Concept Solutions • Crown Consulting • LS Technologies • Mosaic ATM • Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) • Veracity Engineering https://www.govconwire.com/2022/07/faa-awards-11-spots-on-2-3b-system-engineering-and-technical-support-idiq/ Bombardier Inaugurates Quadruple-sized Singapore Service Centre, the Largest OEM Business Aviation Facility in Asia Pacific Massive expansion includes a complete suite of maintenance and modification capabilities with enhanced full-service interior finishing capacity, including a brand-new environmentally-controlled paint facility and 24/7 parts depot. Bombardier Inaugurates Quadruple-sized Singapore Service Centre, the Largest OEM business aviation facility in Asia Pacific. Bombardier announced the grand opening of its newly transformed Singapore Service Centre, the largest OEM business aviation maintenance facility in Asia Pacific. A key jewel of the next major investments in Bombardier’s growing worldwide customer service footprint, the newly expanded facility features substantially enhanced service capabilities for its growing fleet of Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft operators. The facility will also accommodate Bombardier’s newly launched Global 8000 business jet when it enters into service in 2025. Located at the growing Seletar Aerospace Park, the Singapore Service Centre, which opened in 2014, has more than quadrupled its current footprint from 70,000 sq. ft. (6,500 m2) to approximately 290,000 sq. ft. (27,000 m2). The massive expansion introduces exceptional new customer facilities for business jet operators, including a full-service, environmentally-controlled paint facility, advanced interior finishing capabilities, with key support functions, such as engineering, sales and customer support and an expanded portfolio of component, repair and overhaul (CR&O) services. This also includes the option for Global aircraft customers to lease BR710 engines from Rolls Royce stored on site, significantly reducing downtime and costs. The expansion also adds sought-after new heavy structural and composite repair capabilities as well as an integrated parts depot that will serve the site and the region, adding more than US$15 million in additional parts inventory. The expanded Singapore Service Centre is expected to support more than 2,000 business jet visits annually. “With this major expansion, the Singapore Service Centre will provide infinite benefits, including quicker aircraft turnarounds, greater convenience and peace of mind to Bombardier’s growing customer base in Asia,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Services and Support, and Corporate Strategy, Bombardier. “Customers can also enjoy access to the complete range of OEM customer service and support at their doorstep. This is truly a special day for Bombardier and our growing aftermarket network.” Bombardier’s steadfast commitment to an environmentally respectful approach to its design and project development is an essential part of the newly transformed Singapore Service Centre. Bombardier has installed solar panels on the facility’s roofs as well as its carpark structures to reduce energy consumption, which translates to 15% of the site’s annual electricity demand. Other important green initiatives include the use of building management systems, insulation, LED lighting, low flow plumbing fixtures and automated water reticulation for improved water conservation and enhanced energy efficiency. The building design also achieved Singapore’s Green Mark Gold and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Silver LEED Green Building certifications. And while the reduction in energy, water and material resource usage reduces environmental impact, it also enhances indoor environmental quality for better health and well-being of customers and employees while delivering highly efficient, responsible operations. Bombardier has also received its first batch of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from its partner, Shell Aviation, offering business aviation operators an environmentally-friendly fuel option at Seletar Airport – building on Bombardier’s commitment reduce the environmental footprint of business aviation worldwide. This impressive expansion also highlights the addition of Jetex’s world-class FBO and ground handling system at the facility. This outstanding FBO provides operators and passengers with seamless service from arrival to departure as part of Bombardier’s commitment to offering an exceptional customer experience. The development of the Singapore Service Centre is a shining example of how Bombardier is enhancing the accessibility of its OEM expertise for customers worldwide and redefining its position as a leader in aftermarket services in Asia Pacific, a pivotal part of its growing global network. Other important expansions include new service facilities at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport and in Melbourne, Australia; expanded service capabilities at the London Service Centre at Biggin Hill airport; the continued development of a service facility in Berlin, Germany; and new products and services for customers, including important innovations in Bombardier’s customer service digital transformation. The Singapore Service Centre currently employs more than 200 staff, including more than 160 licensed engineers and technicians and is in process of adding more than 50 additional staff. Bombardier also recently introduced a new apprenticeship program in Singapore to ensure a strong grassroots aerospace pipeline is firmly in place, training the engineering professionals of tomorrow. The expansion of the Singapore Service Centre illustrates Bombardier’s comprehensive global customer service commitment to provide the best customer service experience in business aviation today. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21273250/bombardier-bombardier-inaugurates-quadruplesized-singapore-service-centre-the-largest-oem-business-aviation-facility-in-asia-pacific IndiGo Denies 'Smoke in Cabin' Incident on Raipur-Indore Flight IndiGo airlines on Wednesday denied media reports stating smoke came out from the cabin on a Raipur-Indore flight during taxi after landing at the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Jul. 6—IndiGo airlines on Wednesday denied media reports stating smoke came out from the cabin on a Raipur-Indore flight during taxi after landing at the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The incident, reported by news agency ANI citing aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), allegedly happened on an A320 Neo aircraft on Tuesday. The plane took off from Raipur. "A Raipur-Indore IndiGo flight (A320Neo aircraft) was reported by the cabin crew to have smoke coming out from its cabin during Taxi In after landing, yesterday, July 05," the ANI tweet, citing DGCA, read. IndiGo is yet to issue an official statement over the allegation. Earlier in the day, a Vistara flight from Bangkok to Delhi, reported a failure after landing at the national capital. A statement from the airline said the journey was 'uneventful' and the touchdown on runway 10 was 'safe'. On Tuesday, in a series of flight malfunctions, three SpiceJet flights, including a freighter aircraft, and one Go First flight faced technical glitches that caused emergency landings. The DGCA has held up budget airline SpiceJet over the multiple faults saying the airline had 'failed to establish safe, efficient and reliable air services under terms of Rule 134 and Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules, 1937'. In response, SpiceJet said it remains 'committed to ensuring a safe operation for our passengers and crew' and that it would respond within three weeks, as directed by the DGCA. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/commercial-airline/news/21273439/indigo-denies-smoke-in-cabin-incident-on-raipurindore-flight Curt Lewis