October 25, 2022 - No. 39 In This Issue : Aerospace Manufacturer Expanding In Texas : Firehawk Aerospace to test hybrid rockets in Midland : Firefly Aerospace Adds Former NASA Administrator James Bridenstine to its Advisory Board : Manufacturing Materials are in High Demand as the Aircraft Industry Grows : Gulfstream expands G400 business jet manufacturing facilities : Amazon Air adds 10 Airbus A330-300P2F converted freighters : Air France-KLM Move to Support Electric Aircraft with Ampaire : American Airlines To Invest In Future Generations Of Maintenance Professionals : Bombardier to open a maintenance centre in Miami-Opa Locka : Pratt & Whitney Canada plans to open aircraft engine repair site in Germany Aerospace Manufacturer Expanding In Texas Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing will create 400 new jobs with a 40,000-square-foot expansion of its Kerrville, TX facility. In Kerrville, TX, aerospace manufacturer Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing (KMM) is renovating a 40,000-square-foot building at Kerrville Airport Commerce Park. The company will invest $8 million to refurbish the facility, which will serve as a new home for KMM’s Texas operations. KMM has created 70 aerospace jobs in Kerrville since its arrival in December 2021, and plans to create another 400. A Tier 1 supplier, KMM also operates three locations in North Dakota, including its headquarters. KMM manufactures electronic components for the military and aerospace industries with such clients as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and the Department of Defense. “Our expansion into Texas helped KMM fuel our growth, not just for the Kerrville facility, but for our family of companies in North Dakota,” said Erika Bauer, KMM president of operations. “The excellent workforce, proximity to customers and exceptional support from various organizations and government agencies have made the Texas Hill Country the ideal second home for KMM.” Kerrville, Texas Local and state leadership attended a Ceremonial Signing & Facility Commencement and autographed a steel beam to be installed in the facility at Kerrville Airport Commerce Park. From left to right: Kristin Hedger, KMM SVP of Government Relations; Joe Magruder, Office of the Texas Governor, Business Retention & Industry Specialist; Dan Hedger, KMM President of Marketing; Erica Bauer, KMM President of Operations; and KerrEDC Executive Director Gilberto Salinas. KMM is expected to generate more than $80 million in economic activity and more than $32 million in value-add to the Kerrville community over the next 20 years. In addition to the 400 direct jobs, the company will generate 68 indirect and 92 induced jobs. KMM is also expected to generate approximately $3.76 million in total sales tax revenue and $1.5 million in city and county tax revenues over the next 10 years. Kerrville’s aerospace sector is growing as leading aviation companies see considerable cost and workforce benefits, as well as its supply-chain network’s added value. Within a one-hour flight of Kerrville are more than 1,500 aircraft owners and operators, which is up to five times the same market breakdown for cities of comparable size to Kerrville. “We already see the economic impact KMM is having not only in our community but in this region. In addition to the jobs the company has created, there are local suppliers, vendors and small shops doing business with KMM,” said Kerr Economic Development Corporation (KerrEDC) Executive Director Gilberto Salinas. “It’s creating an entire aerospace ecosystem, which we expect to continue growing and becoming more intricate in the next five to 10 years.” Wells Fargo will build new campus in Irving-Las Colinas, Volkswagen Group’s new Port Freeport hub will allow utilization of low-emission LNG vessels. Read more… Since the recruitment of KMM, several other aerospace and aviation companies have moved into the Kerrville Airport Commerce Park, including Gulf Avionics, RBR Aviation, APS Supply Southwest and Rice Helicopter, which in all will create about 150 jobs and generate more than $10 million in capital investment. https://businessfacilities.com/2022/10/aerospace-manufacturer-expanding-in-texas/ Firehawk Aerospace to test hybrid rockets in Midland MIDLAND, Texas — Firehawk Aerospace will be coming to Midland after signing a two-year lease with the Midland Development Corporation. This will be the third aerospace company to make a home in Midland. The lease will grant them use of land owned by the MDC. The land will be north of Highway 191 and just outside of Midland city limits. For the next two years, Firehawk Aerospace will be testing out their hybrid rocket engines alongside their 3D-printed fuel. Sara Harris, the executive director of Midland Development Corporation, says that the corporation was more than happy to welcome Firehawk to Midland. “We’re super excited to bring in a third aerospace company to Midland. We have a lot we can offer in terms of our launch license, in terms of our friendly business climate and our open aerospace and our willingness to find creative solutions to the problems this businesses may have," Harris said. "So we are happy to welcome another one to midland to help develop this community.” The Florida-based company reportedly chose Midland due to the empty space that was already available. "We've had the ability to develop the relationship between Firehawk for some time now, we've been talking about what they need and how Midland can help them out. What we can offer them is land to test on and a quick turnaround time, which is what they've been looking for," Harris said. Firehawk Aerospace may begin testing as soon as this week if they are able to get a ground team to Midland. Once the lease is up, Firehawk will renegotiate to see if they need a new plot of land to relocate to. https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/firehawk-aerospace-test-hybrid-rockets-midland/513-2ecb7ace-91dc-4a10-bba0-fa28c3130e4d Firefly Aerospace Adds Former NASA Administrator James Bridenstine to its Advisory Board CEDAR PARK, Texas, Oct. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Firefly Aerospace ("Firefly" or "the Company"), a new space leader in launch, spacecraft, and in-space services, announced today that former NASA Administrator James Bridenstine, who led the space agency in advancing its aeronautics, science and space exploration objectives, will be joining the Company's Advisory Board, effective immediately. "We're honored to welcome Jim, a visionary leader in aeronautics and space exploration, to the Firefly Advisory Board," said Bill Weber, Firefly CEO. "Throughout his leadership of NASA and his career, Jim has demonstrated a clear vision that the future of space exploration in the U.S. lies in effective and efficient collaboration between private enterprise and government. With the recent success of our Alpha FLTA002 mission, and our rapidly approaching mission to the moon with the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, our team will be fortunate to have the benefit of Jim's expertise and guidance as Firefly moves to its next stage of growth and innovation." During Mr. Bridenstine's tenure as NASA Administrator from 2018 to 2021, NASA launched its Artemis program and established the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program to partner with private enterprise in landing rovers on the lunar surface. Among his accomplishments at NASA, he managed the continued commercial resupply of the International Space Station and led agency efforts to partner with U.S. businesses on the Commercial Crew Program, which seeks to launch U.S. rockets from U.S. launch sites. Also during his tenure, NASA's science portfolio grew to include the Mars Perseverance Rover, an enhanced fleet of Earth-observing satellites, and the finalization of the James Webb Space Telescope. Prior to his time at NASA, Mr. Bridenstine served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Before being elected to Congress, he served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy. He holds a BA with a triple major from Rice University and an MBA from Cornell University. "Firefly has an exceptional team that is building an impressive track record of success, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to help guide Firefly during this dynamic phase of its growth and development," said Mr. Bridenstine, "I look forward to advising Firefly on how they can better position the Company to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities available in today's fast-evolving space economy." This appointment comes on the heels of the Company's successful orbital launch of its Alpha rocket earlier this month, as well as a series of recent announcements. This includes Firefly's selection by the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) to provide launch services for SSC's VICTUS NOX mission, and being chosen by NASA to provide launch services through its Venture Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions. Firefly also recently announced a joint partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide an American-built first-stage upgrade for the Antares rocket and a new medium launch vehicle to serve commercial, civil and national security space launch markets. Firefly is a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners ("AEI"), a U.S.-based private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. About Firefly Aerospace Firefly Aerospace is an emerging end-to-end space transportation company focused on developing a family of launch vehicles, in-space vehicles, and services to provide industry-leading affordability, convenience, and reliability to its government and commercial customers. Firefly's launch vehicles, combined with their in-space vehicles, such as the Space Utility Vehicle (SUV) and Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, provide the space industry with a single source for missions from LEO to the surface of the Moon and beyond. About AE Industrial Partners AE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout its target markets. AE Industrial Partners is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/firefly-aerospace-adds-former-nasa-110000669.html Manufacturing Materials are in High Demand as the Aircraft Industry Grows Maximize Market Research has published a report on the Aerospace Materials Market that provides a detailed analysis of the industry for the forecast period of 2022 to 2029. According to the report, Aerospace Materials Market was valued at USD 37.90 Billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1 percent over the forecast period 2022 to 2029, reaching nearly USD 70.67 Billion by 2029. Manufacturing materials are in high demand as the aircraft industry grows. These materials must have special qualities to meet the requirements of the aircraft manufacturing business, which has a significant monopoly. Aerospace materials are used to construct various aircraft body sections such as structural frames, cabin interiors, propulsion systems known as empennage, and other components. The aerospace business includes not just aeroplanes but also military aircraft, spaceships, helicopters, drones, and other types of aircraft. As a result, the market value is rising due to increased demand for various types of aircraft to meet the needs of various sectors. The volume of air travel has increased significantly in recent decades. Various factors such as increased disposable income, time savings, low-cost air travel, and so on are increasing the appeal of aeroplanes. This popularity drives market demand for aircraft materials. Aerospace Materials Market Dynamics: The rapidly growing airline sector is the primary source of demand for aerospace material markets. Air traffic is rising by 4.5% each year, according to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). As a result, the demand for aircraft carriers is increasing rapidly, as is the demand for aerospace materials. Low-cost carriers are expected to cut airfares in the future, thereby contributing to the growth of the aerospace material market. The aerospace sector’s latest technology will also fuel market growth. The growth-promoting factor is large-scale research to identify alternatives for metal alloys to overcome their limits. The utilisation of new manufacturing materials will significantly improve aeroplane fuel efficiency and durability. Furthermore, the utilisation of composites and nanofibers in the manufacture of aerospace materials will usher in a revolution in the aviation sector. The primary impediment to growth is rising aviation fuel prices. Though air travel has been significantly cheaper since the industry’s inception, growing fuel prices keep many people out of reach. As a result, the quantity of aeroplanes produced is limited. Furthermore, the drawbacks of certain manufacturing materials slow the rate of production of that substance over time. The aviation business is one of the hardest affected by geopolitical conflicts, which also limit expansion. Furthermore, the aircraft manufacturing business is unable to adapt to ongoing advancements in manufacturing technology due to the high cost of the particular modification. As a result, it also serves as a significant limiting factor for the aerospace material industry. Aerospace Materials Market Regional Insights: The North American region dominated the global aerospace materials market in 2021. The larger frequency of aircraft manufacturers in this region explains this supremacy. Furthermore, significant air trade and air travel within this region are potential economic drivers. Furthermore, significant government investment in the air defence system creates a strong demand for aerospace materials. Europe is the second-largest regional aerospace materials market. The existence of aircraft manufacturers in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom indicates a constructive reaction to growth. Furthermore, people’s high disposable income and propensity for air travel are demand generators in this market. The Asia Pacific is the aerospace materials market’s fastest-growing regional sector. The growing demand for aeroplanes is being driven by a large client base for air travel and increased flight operations. A substantial rise in military aviation activities is also a major driver. To Get a Copy of the Sample of the Aerospace Materials Market, Click Here: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/4022 https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/manufacturing-materials-are-in-high-demand-as-the-aircraft-industry-grows#ixzz7ikoU18z5 Gulfstream expands G400 business jet manufacturing facilities A $150.7 million investment ensures streamlined, efficient operations for next-gen composite fleet production, meets increasing demand. On Oct. 17, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. (Savannah, Ga., U.S.) announced plans to continue expanding its Savannah aircraft and wing manufacturing facilities to meet customer demand for the Gulfstream G400. The G400 use extensively incorporates composites (see “Gulfstream unveils G800 and G400 business jets” for additional details), aided by its supplier, GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.), named by Gulfstream in January 2022. The 262,000 square-foot/24,340 square-meter expansions add dedicated G400 production and wing lines as well as additional material delivery and distribution areas. The expansion also augments ongoing growth at Gulfstream’s wing production facility adjacent to the G400, G500 and G600 manufacturing building. “This planned expansion is part of our long-term strategic plan and investment strategy we envisioned to accommodate our next-generation family of aircraft,” Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream, says. “We intentionally designed these aircraft and facilities with a range of commonalities to increase operational efficiency and flexibility. This strategy, combined with the investments we’ve made in advanced precision manufacturing, allow Gulfstream to achieve industry-leading quality and consistency.” In addition to G400, G500 and G600 manufacturing, Gulfstream’s Savannah headquarters houses production of the flagship Gulfstream G700, the new Gulfstream G800 and the Gulfstream G650ER, along with wings and empennages for those aircraft (G700 and G800 composite nacelles are developed at Safran Nacelles Morocco (Spain) aircraft nacelles production site). Interior completions are also performed in Savannah, as well as at Gulfstream’s facilities in St. Louis, Dallas and Appleton, Wis., U.S. https://www.compositesworld.com/news/gulfstream-expands-g400-business-jet-manufacturing-facilities Amazon Air adds 10 Airbus A330-300P2F converted freighters The first passenger to freighter aircraft is expected to join the fleet in late 2023. Amazon Air is leasing 10 Airbus A330-300P2F freighters from Altavair, taking advantage of the A330’s capacity and economics to help fulfil its one-day delivery promise to Amazon Prime customers. The aircraft will be operated for Amazon by Hawaiian Airlines, which has had A330s as a key element of its fleet since 2010. The 10 airframes are being converted from passenger aircraft to freighters by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), the center of excellence for Airbus Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversions. “We’re thrilled to welcome Airbus to our Amazon Air fleet,” said Philippe Karam, Director, Amazon Global Air Fleet & Sourcing. “These A330-300s will not only be the first of their kind in our fleet, they’ll also be the newest, largest aircraft for Amazon Air, allowing us to deliver more customer packages with each flight.” Amazon Air transports customer packages over longer distances in shorter timeframes to deliver on its customer promise of fast, free delivery. The first of their A330-300P2F aircraft is expected to join the Amazon Air fleet in late 2023. "The endorsement of our freighters by Amazon speaks volumes about the market value of the A330 and the position Airbus wide-bodies are gaining in the cargo market,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International. “Amazon has built a reputation around delivering their goods to our doorsteps with extraordinary speed and consistency, and we’re very proud that our aircraft are trusted to become a key link in that remarkable logistics chain.” With advanced Airbus technology that includes fly-by-wire flight controls, the A330 offers a capable platform for freighter conversion. Since the A330’s service entry in 1994, more than 1,700 A330s have been ordered, with more than 1,500 delivered – providing a large source of aircraft to support P2F conversions for many years. While both A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft are eligible for conversion, the longer-fuselage A330-300P2F is particularly suited for integrators and express carriers, due to its high volumetric payload capability with lower-density cargo. The A330P2F conversion program, launched in 2012, is a collaboration between ST Aerospace, Airbus, and their joint venture EFW. https://www.aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com/article/amazon-air-adds-10airbus-a330-300p2f-converted-freighters/ Air France-KLM Move to Support Electric Aircraft with Ampaire Aircraft support provider Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) has taken steps to support electric aircraft, signing a memorandum of understanding with US electric aviation pioneer Ampaire. The move, announced on October 19, means the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) giant will accelerate its familiarity with the electric aviation field with the guidance and assistance of Ampaire. With the new MoU, both companies will aim to develop training for ground engineers as part of a global network, install upgrades for modified aircraft, as well as further collaborate for extended support of a 19-seat aircraft. According to KLM E&M Executive Vice President Ton Dortmans, Ampaire was selected due to its approach being “visionary and also extremely methodical and practical, which means these beneficial technologies can be already introduced in the very near future.” As part of AFI KLM M&E’s future plans, the company aims to set itself up as the preferred electric training partner, contemplating the benefits of using augmented and virtual reality technology in the process. Ampaire, having already tested its hybrid-electric aircraft on airline routes, intends to reach the goal of fully electric aircraft with modified hybrid aircraft as a stepping stone. In a statement, Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker said that “AFI KLM E&M’s powerful global network and strong expertise will give operators everywhere high technical confidence in new propulsion systems.” More MoU’s Signed for Electric Aviation In addition to the Ampaire memorandum of understanding, Air France Industries KLM Maintenance & Engineering is showing further interest in electric aviation, having also signed an MoU with French hybrid-VTOL start-up Ascendance Flight Technologies. The MoU allows for the potential to collaborate line maintenance, component repair, mechanics training and airworthiness management. Despite Ascendance ‘start-up’ status, Air France Industries Executive Vice President Géry Mortreux stated: “we are very interested in electric and hydride electric propulsion technologies, which are set to be future business drivers over the next decade.” He further added that “this type of cooperation is in the general interest (of aviation) and is a further illustration of the general mobilization of our industry to decarbonize aviation – a collective effort in which AFI KLM E&M is of course fully involved.” In return, Ascendance CEO Jean-Christophe Lambert said “in parallel with our efforts to develop a new type of aircraft, it is very important for us to prepare the future of its operations today, in conjunction with the best experts in our industry. Maintenance is obviously at the center of our customers’ concerns and this collaboration with AFI KLM E&M is a major step towards providing them reliable solutions.” Ascendance is currently developing its ‘Atea’ VTOL aircraft, a five-seat alternative to helicopters, with the goal of readying the vehicle for operations by 2024. According to Ascendance, Atea will have “a range of 400 km, a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 80% and a fourfold reduction in noise emissions, it is suitable for urban and regional use. https://airlinegeeks.com/2022/10/24/air-france-klm-move-to-support-electric-aircraft-with-ampaire/ American Airlines To Invest In Future Generations Of Maintenance Professionals The airline currently houses more than 12,000 aviation maintenance professionals, and is looking to take in more. American Airlines and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance have fostered a new partnership to provide aspiring aviation maintenance technicians with a direct career path to the airline, which houses over 12,000 aviation maintenance professionals. A promising career jumpstart Under the Aviation Institute of Maintenance's 21-month-long program, over 4,000 students enroll yearly to obtain the credentials and skills to become aircraft mechanics. However, the course and tuition fees are never cheap, and students often struggle even with the available financial assistance schemes. The school's partnership with American Airlines would prove life-changing, as it offers eligible students financial aid for certification examinations and toolboxes to give them a jumpstart in their careers. And celebrating this new working relationship was Joel English, Executive Vice President for the Aviation Institute of Maintenance: “We are thrilled to be extending our relationship with American Airlines and providing a direct pathway to employment for our students. Our goal is to be an agent of personal and professional transition for our students and a solution for the workforce needs of the airlines and aircraft manufacturers. This direct relationship with American Airlines is a significant step forward for us and a great opportunity for our students.” The partnership also promises airline interviews for the best applicants, albeit only from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance's Chicago Campus. Additionally, the partnership guarantees that the top applications get continued engagement with the airline's maintenance team and access to all of American Airlines' maintenance facilities. Opportunities for a career switch Switching careers mid-way is always as risky as it is scary, given the time and financial investment required to learn new skills for the switch. But there is also good news for existing employees working within the oneworld alliance member airline. The partnership is not only beneficial to students looking to enroll or are already enrolled in the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, but it also provides an equally valuable opportunity for employees who have been looking to switch their careers to aviation maintenance. For current American Airlines team members, the collaboration provides discounted tuition prices and a waived application cost for those interested in becoming aviation maintenance professionals across the school's 14 campuses across the US. Once their schooling and training are completed, they'll be welcomed back to contribute to American Airlines' maintenance team. An example would be the relatively newly-elected Vice President of Line Maintenance at American Airlines, Evie Garces, who began her career within the airline as an aviation maintenance technician at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. She emphasizes: "There is no better place to start or switch to an aircraft maintenance technician career than at American Airlines. And we want to help aspiring Aviation Maintenance Technicians by charting a path like the one established through our growing partnership with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance." Bottom line This new relationship between American Airlines and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance comes as no surprise, considering the school already has a similar partnership with American Airlines' premier regional subsidiary, Piedmont Airlines. Regardless, it is a fantastic opportunity presented to aspiring aviation maintenance technicians and even those considering a different career path in aviation. https://simpleflying.com/american-airlines-aviation-institute-of-maintenance-partnership/ Bombardier to open a maintenance centre in Miami-Opa Locka On 31 October, Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier will inaugurate a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The facility will total 300.000 square feet (27.870 square metres) once fully operational, the company said in a press release. It will quadruple Bombardier’s capacity in the southern United States. The company will transfer much of its maintenance, repair and overhaul operations from the current facility in Fort Lauderdale. Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport centre will be located just 11 miles (almost 18 kilometres) north of downtown Miami. The new building will be fully equipped to perform full scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services. Aircraft modifications, avionics installations, ground support services and exterior paint refurbishment for Bombardier’s Challenger, Global and Learjet business jets will also be performed there. In addition, the company will expand its team of professionals and hire new technicians to support its growth. The new employees will be certified in mechanics and avionics and will be able to work at any of Bombardier’s ten such centres. «Our new facility in Miami will serve as an important gateway for our U.S. based and Latin American customers and will provide significant benefits, including improved aircraft turnarounds, greater convenience and OEM peace of mind to Bombardier’s growing customer base here», said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, the company’s Executive Vice President of Services, Support and Corporate Strategy. https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/10/bombardier-to-open-a-maintenance-centre-in-miami-opa-locka/ Pratt & Whitney Canada plans to open aircraft engine repair site in Germany Pratt & Whitney Canada, a unit of Raytheon's (NYSE:RTX) Pratt & Whitney, on Monday said it will open a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the PW800 engine in Germany in 2024. The company its teaming with MTU Aero Engines on the MRO operation, which is the second in the world for an engine that powers Gulfstream G500 and G600 jets. “We are delighted to be collaborating with MTU on this new MRO facility," Irene Makris, vice president, customer service at Pratt & Whitney Canada, said in a statement. "We have been working with MTU for more than three decades and have collaborated on many projects, including on the development of the low-pressure turbine and high-pressure compressor for the PW800 engine.” The PW800 also powers the Dassault Falcon 6X, and was selected to power the Gulfstream G400. The collaboration with MTU builds on Pratt & Whitney Canada's $30 million investment to set up the first PW800 MRO facility in Bridgeport, West Virginia. https://seekingalpha.com/news/3891851-pratt-whitney-canada-plans-to-open-aircraft-engine-repair-site-in-germany Curt Lewis