Page 36 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2018 Online Magazine

NEWS BRIEFS

olls-Royce has signed an agree- THAI BECOMES RR
Rment with Thai Airways International
(THAI) to explore how both companies MAINTENANCE HUB
will work together to expand the Trent
CareNetwork by building on THAI’s
existing Maintenance, Repair and
Overhaul (MRO) capabilities. “Rolls-
Royce has a longstanding partnership
with THAI that spans more than 50
years. Collaborating on engine mainte-
nance makes good business sense and
provides the foundation for engineer-
ing skills development in alignment with
the Thai government’s commitment
to develop the aviation industry. We growing fleet of Rolls-Royce engines
expect this increased capacity to be while also generating additional capac-
available as early as 2019,” said Chris ity and flexibility within the Rolls-Royce
Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil CareNetwork. THAI operates around
Aerospace. Becoming an Authorized 80 widebody aircraft, of which more
Maintenance Centre (AMC) for Rolls- than 50 are powered by Rolls-Royce
Royce will enable THAI to support their engines.
NOLINOR AVIATION
TO MODERNIZE B737
NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

olinor Aviation has invested in a new ST AEROSPACE SECURES
Ntechnology programme upgrading ACJ MAINTENANCE
the avionics systems 10 Boeing 737-
200 jetliners in its fleet. The equipment CONTRACT
fitted will increase system reliability
and minimise any potential delays due T Aerospace’s VIP Completion arm,
to electromechanical and analogue SAERIA Luxury Interiors (AERIA) has
equipment failures. Nolinor expects secured its first Airbus Corporate Jet
the modernization process to take five (ACJ) customer. The company was
to six years, for a total investment of awarded a 12-year maintenance sup-
CA$10 million. Work has already been port contract for its first ACJ, an A319.
undertaken on the aircraft with reg- Under the agreement, AERIA will carry
istration marks C-GTUK, for an initial EFI 890R). These will be coupled out heavy maintenance works that
investment of over CA$1 million. For the with two solid-state inertial navigation include interior and auxiliary fuel tank
first time ever on a B737-200, all elec- systems (Honeywell Laseref V) and removal/replacement. Ron Soret, Vice
tromechanical navigational and flight two LPV flight management systems President/General Manager of AERIA,
instruments will be replaced with four (Universal UNS-1Lw). In addition, the said, “We have at AERIA a team of
active matrix LCD colour screens with transponder system will be upgraded experienced mechanics and technician
LED blacklighting (Universal Avionics to meet ADS-B OUT requirements. veterans who can provide the highest
level of service and support across var-
PRATT & WHITNEY new product introduction. GatorWorks ious platforms. We are hence confident
in redelivering to the satisfaction of our
is the answer,” said Matthew Bromberg,
LAUNCHES president of Pratt & Whitney Military first customer for Airbus aircraft heavy
GATORWORKS Engines. “Pratt & Whitney GatorWorks maintenance, and we look forward to
will seek to leverage commercial enter- supporting more ACJ customers in
The establishment of GatorWorks, a prise capabilities in rapid prototyping, their maintenance, modification and
newly formed prototyping arm within iterative design, procurement, and completion needs.” While AERIA has
Pratt & Whitney will focus on the rapid testing of cutting-edge products for built up a strong record since 2014 in
and agile development of dependable, our customers. We’ve created an envi- servicing and performing VIP mod-
lower cost military engines, the company ronment where our best engineers can ification and completion on Boeing
has announced. GatorWorks objective reach their potential with all the tools platforms, the A319 is the first ACJ that
is to deliver state-of-the-art engines they need, but without the unnecessary the company is supporting at its facil-
in half the lead time and for half the internal barriers that can sometimes ity located in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
cost of traditional procurement cycles. slow them down.” GatorWorks has This milestone project allows AERIA to
“The standard large engine develop- been operational since early 2018 and showcase its capability and knowledge
ment cycle is roughly 20 years. Our incorporates a mix of cross-functional base in Airbus platforms to potential
customers have asked for rapid inno- teams, vertical integration and a short ACJ customers looking for customised
vation, technology development and list of suppliers and partners. VIP interior solutions.

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