Minimizing aircraft downtime and exploiting aftermarket opportunities are quickly becoming more of an important focus to Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul divisions of aircraft companies throughout the years. Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems, or AHMS, are proving to be a promising business opportunity for OEMs and airlines as a way to enhance aircraft safety due to their ability of real-time data captured through sensors that are integrated on aviation parts. AHMS can also optimize company MRO costs by utilizing non-invasive inspections and testing that report on aircraft conditions. Through 2019 and beyond, there are a handful of industry-wide activities that will continue to develop the AHMS market.

To explain the federal supply classification system, we must first understand what a National Stock Number is. National Stock Numbers or NSNs, are 13-digit serial numbers assigned to all standardized items within the federal supply chain. All components that are used by the U.S Department of Defense are required to have an NSN, the purpose of which is to provide a standardized language of naming components. Also known as NATO stock numbers, NSNs are recognized by all NATO countries. NSNs are assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency  and are typically in the format XXXX-XX-XXXXXXX.

The magnetic compass is the most common device found in the pilot’s cockpit; however, it is also known as the faultiest device. During times of turbulence, the compass can become increasingly difficult to read and be subject to incorrect acceleration and turning errors. Its inaccuracies can make it difficult for the pilot to fly by safely. To come to the rescue of frustrated pilots, the Heading Indicator (HI) is a gyroscopic instrument that maintains alignment with the magnetic compass. This tool makes for more accurate flight paths by eliminating severe acceleration or turning errors.

Landing gear is a critical component for any aircraft, as it allows the aircraft to takeoff, land, and taxi safely on the ground. However, the way landing gear is designed and arranged on the aircraft can affect its weight distribution, center of gravity, and handling characteristics on the ground. Most modern civilian small aircraft are built in either the tricycle or tailwheel configurations.

Among the various types of aircraft landing gear, all are currently sorted into two main categories: fixed and retractable. Fixed landing gear simply refers to gear that is permanently attached to the airframe. Retractable landing gear refers to a system that allows landing gear to be extended and retracted from the aircraft as needed. The use of both arrangements primarily relies on aircraft speed and internal volume.

A new joint venture between major airlines Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic have been formed in lue of expanding of expanding their companies. Virgin Airlines has agreed to give up 31% of their business Air France-KLM as a newest partner in their company. The estimated cost of the 31% will cost Air France-KLM £220m (286221678.69) US Dollars. Along with the new JV forming it will also include Italian airline Alitalia. Alitalia is able to contribute to the venture an approximate 300 flights that cross the Atlantic Ocean. This will allow for expansion with already owned aircrafts by these different airlines involved. The Group forming with Atlantic will decrease its share to an approximate 20% .

In 2016, Bombardier strengthened its overall service and support by hiring close to 200 technicians and project managers within the last four months and supported over 9,000 maintenance events. At ASAP Semi, we deal with bombardier every day because they give us great prices since we order often from them. Bombardier Business Aircraft’s five U.S.-based Service Centres was awarded the 2016 Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Diamond Award of Excellence. The AMT is the industry’s highest recognition award for aircraft maintenance.

Westwind has Bell transport helicopters that operate on and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico to support oil operations. In March, the organization announced that is has made a selection for additions to achieve compliance with the ADS-B. It has opted to select the NGT-9000 by L3 Aviation. The installation of these new products has been initiated and is underway. The NGT-9000 will be joining the Westwind Fleet, which already includes Bell 206, Sikorsky 76 and MD 500.

George Bye, creator of the Sun Flyer electric trainer prototype, has teamed up with XTI Aircraft Company to accelerate development of a vertical takeoff and landing design with intention to seat six and cruise at business jet speed.

We have exciting news this week as Bell Geospace has invested in a new aircraft. This aircraft is the Basler BT-67 produced by Basler Turbo Conversions. This utility aircraft provides a long-range fuel tank that allows for the aircraft range to reach 2140 nautical miles. Bell Geospace has purchased this new utility aircraft in order to expand its worldwide and technical capacity. Bell states that “The Basler BT-67 has proven to be an efficient and reliable platform for conducting our FTG surveys, and has yielded some of our most successful surveys to date. This is already a very promising purchase and an intelligent investment from Bell Geospace that will hopefully launch more of their ideas and innovative efforts in the aerospace world.