Page 14 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016 Online Magazine

FEATURE COMPOSITE MRO
F ea tu R e COMPOSITE MRO

designed with all composite fuselage and which currently employs 350,000 people entry for allowable damage definition and
wing structures, and the repair of these worldwide, will approach US$100 billion – temporary repair solutions, and then two
advanced composite materials requires four percent annual growth – by 2026. years later, when data related to internal
an in-depth knowledge of composite “With the new generation aircraft coming structure allowable damage, repairs and
structures, materials, and tooling. The into the global market over the next 10 years, permanent repair is added.
primary advantages of composite materials MROs worldwide will need to adapt to new OEMs continue to increase their
are their high strength, relatively low weight, technology to maintain profitable margins,” presence in the aftermarket and take market
and corrosion resistance. Douglas adds. share from established, independent MROs.
“They present a challenge to repair and The industry also is putting some effort The sheer number of new aircraft deliveries
are difficult to repair with a bonded repair into training. “Airframers have been working is accelerating OEM growth. Small MROs
method,” says an official of a leading MRO with specialist schools and MROs to train particularly are feeling the squeeze, as OEMs
service provider. He also had a word of technicians on the latest bonding and bolt repair maintain a firm grip on the newer technology
caution when he says: “Whenever possible, techniques,” Terner of AFI KLM E&M says. and the older technology components retire
replace, rather than repair.” with the increase in parked aircraft. The
“Currently the repair of composite parts Service Manual from OEMs year ahead will pose a growing problem for
is either prohibited, leading to an extensive Airbus recently released a new ASR (Air owners of small MRO businesses.
replacement programme, labour intensive vehicle or Aircraft Structural Repair) manual Examples are carriers such as Cathay
and therefore expensive, time consuming or for managing in-service damage on A350 Pacific Airways, which has selected Airbus
executed with traditional metal materials, aircraft. to provide Flight Hour Services (FHS)
such as aluminium or titanium,” he adds. The OEM stated the ASR documentation components’ support for its new fleet of 48
was evolved from the former SRM (Structural A350 XWBs on order (22 A350-900s plus
Commercial MRO Market Repair Manual) for the widebody. 26 A350-1000s). The long-term agreement
The 2016 Global Fleet & MRO Market The Toulouse-based airframer says the covers guaranteed spare parts availability,
Assessment prepared by Oliver Wyman for reason for the new manual is due to the A350 maintenance and logistics services at Cathay
the Aeronautical Repair Station Association being a completely new programme with a Pacific’s main base and selected outstations,
(ARSA) reveals that in 2016, the worldwide high use of composite material, new design as well as flight simulator support.
market for commercial aviation maintenance principles and associated methods had to be The agreement also covers Integrated
is expected to be nearly US$68 billion. adopted. Material Services (IMS) – whereby the
Steve Douglas, VP of CAVOK, a division A350 operators will take delivery of the purchasing and planning of the airline’s
of Oliver Wyman, notes that the industry, new manual in two stages: first at service A350 XWB expendables inventories are
outsourced to Airbus’ dedicated materials
management subsidiary, Satair Group.

Boeing’s 787 MRO Market
The 787’s 2016 MRO market is projected
to be US$1.1 billion. In 2025, the figure is
forecast to swell to US$8.3 billion, nearly 20
percent of the total for the entire decade.
Boeing has targeted its high-margin services
work—everything from pilot training to
MRO support—as a growth opportunity.
Boeing’s special “quick repair” kit
enables certain types of damage to be fixed
outside the hangar. The kit includes 10 types
of adhesives, various patches, sanding disks
and special protective gear.
Boeing has sold 1,154 787 wide-bodied
aircraft till May this year. According to Boeing
787 reflects a completely new approach.
The Boeing 787 makes greater use of
composite materials in its airframe and
primary structure than any previous Boeing
commercial airplane.
According to a Boeing spokesperson, the
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