Page 18 - AAA JULY - SEPTEMBER 2019 Online Magazine

rate of engine inductions increased over the past B737 NG – making it the most popular engine
few years? combination in commercial aviation.

We predict peak demand for the CFM56 to occur from 2019 through OEMs are playing a more active
to 2021 at our Stavanger engine MRO facility; we anticipate that role in the aftermarket these days.
we will run at full capacity soon. The plan is to induct 100 engines Do you see that as a positive or
this year, comprised of 30 -3s and 70 -5s and -7s. By 2020, we negative? How does it affect the
expect the engine shop to be running at full capacity of around market prospects of independent
120 engine inductions. engine MRO providers like you?

Once the CFM56 market slows down, sometime
during the next decade, what does Aero Norway Forward looking OEMs recognize that there will
intend to do? always be a role for fully approved independent
engine MROs like Aero Norway. The reliability
of engines like the CFM56 family mean that
After the predicted peak period of CFM56 ends in 2021, we plan these will still be operational for the next 20
to remain a CFMI repair specialist as this is where the organiza- years. OEMs generally prefer to focus on sup-
tion holds a depth of expertise and knowledge. We hope that the porting new technologies. Airlines operating
rigorously sustained quality output of the repair shop will support older aircraft like to make use of experienced
our strategy to obtain a licence for the LEAP engine because even- workshops that understand performance crite-
tually there will be a lot of demand for this engine type. However, ria, provide guaranteed slots and ensure a fast
considering the costs involved with introducing the model, and turnaround. In a vibrant aviation MRO market,
evaluating the necessary tooling required, any potential introduction there is room for everyone.
of the LEAP engine into the facility would be 2020, at the earliest.
Predictive maintenance and big
What is your view on partnerships with other data analytics have had a big
MRO providers? Is that something you would look impact on the MRO industry. How
at as part of your attempt to expand your global much is Aero Norway making use
reach? of such new technologies?

To best serve its customers - MROs, independent engine owners
and leasing companies - Aero Norway has recently taken steps to Utilizing the most modern, up-to-date equipment
underpin the business in three fundamental ways: financial sup- and technology, ensures that all maintenance
port to deliver working capital; sourcing of repair partners that can and repairs carried out in the Stavanger
complement the flexibility of workscope that we, as an independent workshop, on-wing, or undertaken off-site by
organization, strive to offer; and the development of highly trained specialist repair vendors, are implemented
apprentices to ensure continuity of the company’s engineering skill with precision to the highest possible standard.
sets for decades to come. Through the creation of support agreements
with outstanding specialists around the world,
What is it that makes Aero Norway stand out Aero Norway is focused on enhanced opera-
from other independent engine MROs? tional efficiency with the ability to maximize the
fast slot induction and quick turn-around that
The company is multi-release FAA, EASA, TCCA, CAAC, GCAA, its global customers demand.
ECAA and DGCA certified, this contributes to our worldwide appeal What are some of the ways
to operators and lessors of CFM56 type engines. If there is a busi- in which MROs can avoid
ness opportunity, we will secure the additional approvals needed.
However, the majority of operators and lessors find approvals from large material costs in engine
these regulators indicative of Aero Norway’s credentials. maintenance? Is the general lack
of acceptance for PMA parts on the
The center of gravity of the aviation industry part of lessors a major problem for
is moving toward Asia. Is that reflected in the MROs?
number of customers you have from the region?
Not many of our customers request the use of
Aero Norway aims to keep its customer base as wide as possible PMAs; the majority prefer OEM parts. As we no
and across all global regions. The primary focus remains smaller air- longer have to pay a consideration to license
lines operating no more than 40 aircraft; this helps us to customize fees, we are able to pass this benefit on to our
programs and inductions according to their needs. The CFM56-5B customers, enabling us to be more competitive
is the engine choice of the global A320 family due to its high reli- in the bidding process and position ourselves
ability and durability, and the CFM56-7B is exclusively powering the better in the market.

18 | July/August/September 2019 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ AAA