Page 34 - AAA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 Online Magazine

MRO

IN THE HANGAR

Loose seats could
inconvenience
thousands

Following at least three incidents
of seats coming loose during flight,
American Airlines has reportedly
cancelled almost 100 flights to inspect
their planes and fix the problem. A
number of the airline’s Boeing 757s
have been inspected, and American
Airlines’ technicians initially thought
that the problem lay with a saddle clamp
that was not properly installed on the
foot of the row leg after the seats had
been removed and reinstalled during
recent refurbishment. However, further
investigations are underway. Speaking
to Associated Press, Todd Curtis, a
former safety engineer with Boeing and
director of the Airsafe.com Foundation,
said American Airlines made the right
decision to inspect more planes once it
discovered the extent of the problem.
Boeing Shanghai approved to maintain 777s
The European Aviation Safety Agency checks on Boeing 777-200 and 300s, as
(EASA) has given Boeing Shanghai Aviation well as repair and overhaul of associated
Services its approval to add Boeing 777- components. “This EASA authorisation is
200 and -300 models to its maintainence a key step as Boeing Shanghai pursues
portfolio. This means Boeing Shanghai new business by focusing on additional
can now perform, among other things, airplane models,” said Dermot Swan, CEO
line maintenance and base maintenance of Boeing Shanghai.

Blackhawk Composites Cathay Pacific upgrades
earns certifications A330-300 cabins
US-based Blackhawk Composites, Airbus Upgrade Services has begun
which produces composite aerospace work on the interior of Cathay Pacific’s
and commercial components, has A330-300 fleet. The planned upgrade
been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 includes the latest standards of new
and AS9100C certification for its flat-bed seats in business class – said
manufacturing and quality management to be a result of a passenger-led design
systems. Blackhawk CEO and Director process – and new seats to match the
of Business Development at Blackhawk previously installed AVOD IFE and mood
Composites lauded the team’s hard lighting. Commenting on the improved
work, saying, “Achieving this milestone design of the seats in business class,
was a team effort that required support Cathay Pacific’s CEO John Slosar said,
from all areas of the facility including “Our new Regional Business Class seat
executive management and production was developed after listening to our
personnel.” He added, “This certification customers’ feedback and it underlines
solidified the importance of managing a our commitment to excellence in
disciplined quality management system innovation and providing an exceptional
within all areas of the operation.” travel experience.”

34 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM