Turboprop Engine Upgrade Innovator Blackhawk Announces Key Promotions
May 14, 2015
May 8, 2015 – Waco, TX
Blackhawk Modifications, a leading provider of Pratt & Whitney new engine upgrades, is pleased to announce promotions in their senior management team. Bob Kromer will be the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Dealer Relations, a newly created position to help cultivate business opportunities. Edwin Black has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
For the past year and a half, Kromer has been the Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support and was responsible for growing Blackhawk’s Pratt & Whitney PT6A New Engine upgrade market for a variety of Turboprop aircraft such as the King Air and Caravan. He will now focus on packaging Blackhawk’s engineering services and composite manufacturing capabilities to the aviation industry. In making the announcement, Jim Allmon, President and CEO, stated: “Bob’s career in general aviation has been spent inside various OEM operations, understanding the importance of bringing new and improved products to market as quickly as possible. His experience to liaison the needs of OEM groups with our core competencies will help all parties achieve higher levels of success.” Kromer, a former flight test engineer, has expansive experience working for vibrant aviation companies such as Piper and Mooney.
Edwin Black, a veteran of Blackhawk has served as Director of Marketing, Global Sales Director and most recently as Vice President of Domestic Sales. He will oversee all global aspects of Marketing and Sales and manage Blackhawk’s network of over 60 worldwide authorized distributors and installation centers. “For over 15 years, our customers have been singing the praises of our Pratt & Whitney PT6A XP engine upgrade programs” said Jim Allmon, President and CEO of Blackhawk. “Edwin has been deeply involved in Blackhawk’s marketing and sales successes. I am confident he will continue to highlight the value centers our new engine programs provide while maintaining our brand as a source for innovation and aftermarket upgrades.” Prior to Black joining Blackhawk, he was the Marketing and Sales Director at Raisbeck Engineering, a provider of many King Air aerodynamic performance systems. His aviation experience offers a broad perspective on airframe and power-plant improvements.
Blackhawk’s New PT6A-140 Engine Upgrade for the Cessna Caravan Nears Certification
May 14, 2015
May 21, 2015 – Geneva, Switzerland
Blackhawk Modifications announces that FAA Certification is imminent for a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140 new engine upgrade for the Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan. This is the same 867 horsepower engine currently used by Cessna on the Caravan EX. Due to growing demand for extra horsepower from European Caravan operators, EASA certification will follow the FAA approval. Available in June, 2015 in the USA, the factory new PT6A-140 upgrade offers an increase in available horsepower to 867, up from the 600 or 675 horsepower on Caravans equipped with PT6A-114 or PT6A-114A engines. The result of this 28-44% increase in available horsepower will enable like-new levels of aircraft performance and load carrying capabilities.
Included with the Blackhawk XP upgrade is a newly developed 325 amp starter/generator, a higher capacity engine oil cooler and a 106” three blade Hartzell propeller that is currently used on the Caravan EX. These upgrades offer Caravans operating throughout Europe the performance capabilities needed to effectively complete high-demand mission profiles. Operators will also benefit from lower engine starting and oil temperatures due to the higher-capacity starter/generator and oil cooler.
“Caravans are workhorses”, states Jim Allmon, Blackhawk’s President and CEO. “Many commercial operators utilize short runways, carrying heavy loads in hot and high conditions. Additionally, those Caravan owners who operate off water will enjoy the capability to get up on step faster, reducing stress on the airframe and allowing operations from smaller bodies of water. With the additional horsepower of our upgrade, operators get a whole new operating experience from their Caravan. This upgrade will instantly increase mission capability, resulting in increased profits with better safety margins not to mention the added benefit of a significant increase in speed. Operators will also be very pleased with the near plug and play, bolt on simplicity of the PT6A-140 engine and associated kit. The cowl, exhaust and engine mounts are all reused, which makes the Blackhawk XP140 upgrade the lowest priced new-engine upgrade available on the market.” Blackhawk is taking orders now for June/July deliveries.
VivaAerobus receives first of 52 A320s on order
May 14, 2015
New A320 marks next step towards fleet renewal for Mexico’s ultra-low-cost carrier
Ultra-low-cost carrier VivaAerobus has taken delivery of its first new A320 following the aircraft handover at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse. The A320 is the first to be delivered from an order placed in 2013 for 52 aircraft (12 A320ceo and 40 A320neo), which is the largest single deal by a Mexican customer. VivaAerobus already operates six leased A320s and will become an all Airbus operator as it completes its fleet transition from 737-300s by early 2016.
Including the first A320, all VivaAerobus’ A320ceo are powered by IAE engines. The A320neo will be powered by Pratt and Whitney engines. The aircraft will be deployed on the airline’s domestic network and international routes to the United States.
“Our new fleet of A320s will enable VivaAerobus to continue enhancing our operational efficiencies by lowering our costs and fares for our passengers, while offering a significant upgrade with the A320 cabin comfort,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of VivaAerobus. “We couldn’t be more pleased to integrate this new aircraft into our growing Airbus fleet and we look forward to expanding our network and allowing even more passengers to fly for the very first time.”
“We are proud that VivaAerobus has chosen the market-leading A320 Family to renew its fleet and expand its network, taking a further step to becoming an all Airbus operator,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A320’s unparalleled reliability, best-in-class passenger comfort and unbeatable fuel efficiency complements VivaAerobus’ business model and we are eager to see their success evolve even more with the NEO in the years to come.”
VivaAerobus, jointly owned by IAMSA, Mexico’s largest bus company, and Irelandia, a global low-cost-carrier airline developer group, has based its fleet renewal strategy on the A320 Family. The A320’s unmatched operating economics and reliability will play a key role as the airline meets the growing demand for cost-efficient air travel in Mexico.
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with almost 11,700 orders to date and over 6,500 aircraft delivered to 400 customers and operators worldwide. The newest member of the A320 Family, the A320neo, incorporates many innovations including latest generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020. With nearly 3,800 orders received from 71 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured almost 60 percent share of the market.
To date, the A320neo program has 345 firm orders from six customers in Latin America. With more than 950 aircraft sold and a backlog of nearly 500, more than 550 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In the last 10 years, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, while delivering more than 60 percent of all aircraft operating in the region.
Rockwell Collins selected by Airbus to provide wireless EFB solution
May 8, 2015
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (May 4, 2015) – Rockwell Collins has been selected by Airbus to provide the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) interface and communication unit (EICU) for Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft families. The optional system for airlines, exclusively provided by Rockwell Collins, will be available and certified next year.
The EICU, a lightweight, compact unit that is part of Rockwell Collins’ Secure Server Router product portfolio, leverages proven technology from the onboard information management system that the company already supplies for other Airbus aircraft types. It securely connects to portable and factory-installed EFBs in the cockpit via wireless or wired connections.
The system’s embedded router enables the EFB to interconnect with select onboard and external networks, including the avionics, maintenance information, airline operating centers, connecting gates and the cabin. This technology finds the most cost-effective communication channel available, whether it is cellular, WiFi, SATCOM or ACARS, for connecting the EFB to external networks. The unit also features a virtual digital aircraft condition monitoring system (ACMS) recorder (VDAR) that leverages the ground cellular/WiFi connectivity to automatically download quick access recorder (QAR) files to airline ground servers.
“The EICU is a another step in the progression of our information management solutions strategy and an extension of the success we’ve had with Airbus on other aircraft types,” said Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager, Flight Controls and Information Systems for Rockwell Collins. “This new EFB solution for A320s and A330s is central to onboard and off-aircraft networks. It enables pilots to quickly and efficiently connect with essential decision-making tools to make flight operations safer and more efficient.”
The EICU will also be flexible enough to accommodate future networking technologies that may become available.
Textron Aviation hosts inaugural joint customer conference for Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker owners
May 8, 2015
WICHITA, Kan. (May 8, 2015) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, welcomed more than 500 Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker aircraft operators together for the first time at the Textron Aviation Customer Conference last week in Wichita. This was the first joint customer conference since the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands combined last year.
“The inaugural joint customer conference provided us a great opportunity to showcase the customer benefits of the integration of these three storied brands through the sharing of company knowledge and customer experiences across the fleet,” said Brad Thress, senior vice president, Customer Service. “The conference also provides an important forum for us to hear firsthand from our operators. We greatly value this feedback, which always plays a role in future products and services we offer.”
Throughout the two day event, customers had access to Textron Aviation leaders and attended a variety of seminars from subject matter experts and numerous supplier representatives on nearly every aspect of aircraft maintenance and operation. Conference seminars were grouped either by aircraft model or by general aviation topic, such as new products, fleet operations, airspace management, international operations or other general interest topics.
Suppliers exhibited technologies and services for aircraft across the entire turboprop and jet product range. Attendees were also offered tours of the various Textron Aviation facilities throughout Wichita, as well as given access to the full turboprop and jet product line – including the new Citation Latitude.
Throughout the remainder of 2015, Textron Aviation will be hosting additional operator forums in Europe, Asia and South America for customers based in those regions.
Textron Aviation Service
Textron Aviation, through its Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, is renowned for its unrivaled global service network dedicated to complete life-cycle support. Textron Aviation’s business jet and turboprop aircraft product support organization includes a worldwide network of authorized service centers and 21 company-owned facilities with thousands of expert service engineers offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, avionic upgrades, equipment installations, refurbishments and other specialized services. Textron Aviation also offers Airespond, a mobile service program featuring more than 60 mobile service units, support aircraft, and on-site service technicians and support.
GULF COAST AVIONICS COMPLETES GARMIN G1000 PANEL UPGRADE ON A COLOMBIAN ARMY KING AIR B200
April 30, 2015
First-of-its-kind project was done in collaboration with
Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica Colombiana in Bogotá.
Lakeland, FL (April 30, 2015) — Rick Garcia, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation announced today that the company has recently completed its first Garmin G1000 panel upgrade on a Colombian Air Army King Air B200.
“This project had many unique aspects to it,” Garcia said. “It was our (GCA’s) first Garmin G1000 installation in a King Air B200 and it was the first time we ever did an installation in cooperation with the Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica Colombiana (CIAC) in Bogotá, Colombia.”
“Its ultimate success is a true testament to not only the technical knowledge and experience of our team here in Lakeland, but also the cooperative efforts by them and the installers at CIAC,” he said. “It was a marvelous team effort.”
Andy Smith, GCA’s Installation Sales Manager explained that all of the B200’s panel design, engineering and wiring harness fabrication was done at the company’s facility in Lakeland then shipped down to CIAC’s aircraft maintenance center in Bogotá.
“We went down to CIAC’s facility early on then worked remotely with their technicians on-site,” Smith said. “They handled all of the hands-on part of the installation and did a great job. I went back down when it was completed for the final configuration.”
“As any shop can attest, installing a G1000 avionics suite is not an easy task – especially the first time,” he said. “After seeing the finished panel, my hat went off to the guys at CIAC. They did a tremendous job with the project.”
LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines inaugurate the largest VIP Lounge in South America at the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile
April 30, 2015
· With more than 23,000 square feet, it is the largest VIP Lounge in the region.
· This is the fourth lounge for preferred passengers inaugurated by LAN and TAM in the last two years, and its design was inspired by South America.
Santiago, Chile – April 29, 2015. – LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines, members of LATAM Airlines Group, inaugurated the largest VIP lounge in South America in Santiago, Chile. This is the fourth lounge to open its doors in the last two years for LATAM Airlines Group’s preferred passengers. The lounge is located on the 4th and 5th floors of the western sector of Santiago’s international airport, with direct access from the LAN and TAM preferential check-in area. With this, LATAM Airlines Group affirms its presence with exclusive, premier locations in the most important airports in the region.
“We are very proud to inaugurate the largest VIP lounge in South America, created to provide our frequent fliers with a relaxing and exclusive experience in an elegant space that highlights the colors, materials, textures, cuisine, and wines of South America. We understand the needs of the modern passenger and seek to meet these demands with the best solutions and services the industry has to offer. This is the fourth VIP lounge LATAM Airlines Group has inaugurated in the last two years, a huge step towards consolidating our presence and the quality of our services at airports in the region,” commented Jerome Cadier, VP of Marketing at LATAM Airlines Group.
Main features of LATAM Airlines Group’s VIP lounge in Santiago
The lounge covers an area of over 23,000 square feet and accommodates 460 people with high-end service and comfort. It features restful and relaxing spaces, individual restrooms, showers, laundry and shoe-shining services, a sleeping room, chaise lounge for rest and relaxation, a business center, entertainment and videogame zone, unique culinary offerings and an excellent selection of wines. Hours of operation are from 3:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Furnished with lounge chairs and tables, each with their own outlet and free, unlimited Wi-Fi, the lounge allows passengers to stay connected whenever they need.
A kitchen covering over 1,500 square feet features a buffet, which measures over 180 feet and includes dozens of cold and hot food options. In addition, guests may enjoy the bar, which includes a wide variety of premium beverages, including the best wines in the region and our award-winning Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne. Coffee aficionados may also choose hot beverages from renowned coffee brand, Juan Valdez.
To offer a premium experience during all phases of travel, the lounge is connected to the preferential check-in counters of both LAN and TAM, covering an area of over 6,000 square-feet with 14 exclusive check-in counters and self-service kiosks.
Decoration and Design of LATAM Airlines Group’s new VIP lounges
In line with global architectural trends for interior and luxury design, LATAM Airlines Group sought inspiration in South America to define the look of its new spaces, taking the most characteristic elements from each region to create lounges that reflect the continent’s natural heritage. This vision is reflected in the spaces, textures, materials and a series of unique elements that vary by country of origin, incorporating innovative shapes.
The decor features natural materials, such as marble, onyx and leather, with colors and details that represent South America. Furthermore, the environment features ample natural lighting and a unique view of the airport.
Specifically in the Santiago VIP lounge, LATAM Airlines Group sought to incorporate elements emblematic to Chile that represent the region’s native culture, including an enormous 750 square-foot copper structure fixed to the side of the stairs providing access to the second floor.
LATAM Airlines Group opted to hire one of the finest interior designers in South America, Chilean Mathias Klotz, who with the vision of architect Lillian Allen and the global concept generated by Paris-based Studio Putman – one of the top design agencies in the world – were able to execute this project.
Network of LATAM Airlines Group VIP Lounges
Over the last two years, LATAM Airlines Group has inaugurated four VIP lounges for its preferred passengers in the cities of São Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Bogotá, together representing more than 64,000 square feet. With this, the group affirms its presence and quality of service in the most important airports in the region.
LAN and TAM’s frequent fliers may access more than 600 VIP lounges throughout the world, offered by airlines in the oneworld alliance.
According to recent news, 7 of the 10 best international VIP lounges belong to oneworld members, and one of those recognized is LATAM Airlines Group’s VIP lounge in Bogota.
Passengers with access to LATAM Airlines Group VIP Lounges
LATAM Airlines Group’s VIP lounges are available to all clients traveling in Premium Business on LAN, TAM or any oneworld alliance airline, and those traveling in LAN’s Premium Economy class. Members of the top categories in the LANPASS loyalty program (Black, Comodoro, Premium Silver), TAM Fidelidade (Black, Vermelho Plus, Vermelho) and respective oneworld categories (Emerald, Sapphire) may also enjoy the space. Additionally, Santander Bank’s World Member clients that fly on LAN are granted access. Moreover, members of the LAN and TAM Black, Emerald and Sapphire categories along with oneworld and World Member clients have the right to bring a guest.
Specifications of LATAM Group VIP Lounge in Santiago:
· Area: 23,357 square feet
· Capacity: 460 people
· 2 floors with elevators and access stairs
· Hours of operation: open for 22 hours daily, from 3:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
· Sleeping area
· Entertainment room with tablets and individual videogames
· 28 individual restrooms
· 10 showers
· Laundry and shoe-shining services
· Iconic furniture from the studio of Andrée Putman
· Tables and chairs equipped with outlets
· Brinton carpets
· More than 46 employees
· 180 foot long buffet area
· 1,539 square feet kitchen area
· Hot beverages from Juan Valdez
· Guallarauco and Häagen-Dazs ice cream
· Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne
· Selection of hot and cold foods
· H2O Amenities
· Trousseau Bathing collection
AJW Aviation signs three year power-by-the-hour contract with Camair-Co to support Boeing fleet
April 28, 2015
London, April 28th 2015: AJW Aviation, the leading independent provider of integrated aviation support services has been chosen by Cameroon Airlines Corporation (Camair-Co) to provide power-by-the-hour for its fleet of three Boeing aircraft: B767-300 & B737-700.
AJW will deliver full ATA Chapter support without exemptions hereby providing Camair-Co with the dispatch reliability, streamlined component management and aligned cost savings that they need to fulfil the airline’s operational objectives and route expansion ambitions.
Camair-Co commenced operations in 2011. It is based in Douala, Cameroon, and has about 438 multi-national employees. The airline currently flies internationally to Paris and N’Djamena, capital of Chad, with domestic routes covering Yaounde, Garoua and Maroua in Cameroon. Camair-Co is a full member of AFRASCO (AFRICA AVIATION SAFETY COUNCIL) and this expands its network in the sub-region and west central Africa (Libreville, Brazzaville, Lagos, Kinshasa and Cotonou).
Christopher Whiteside, President – AJW Group, signed the agreement in Douala with Jean Paul Nana-Sandjo, CEO of Camair-Co: “AJW has been supporting the growth of African aviation for decades and we are renowned throughout the Continent for our flexibility and can-do attitude which is massively helpful for smaller airlines seeking reliable component support of the highest quality. Customers have come to expect regular schedules, aircraft safety and dispatch efficiency from so many of the world’s airlines, but Africa still has many logistical and geographical challenges to overcome. We are proud to support Camair-Co as they focus on the customer experience and build their airline business.”
SuperJet International delivers its 14th SSJ100 to Interjet
April 27, 2015
Venice (Italy) April 27, 2015
On April 22th, 2015 the 14th Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) arrived in Mexico to join the Interjet fleet.
The SSJ100 was rolled out from the SuperJet International’s hangar in Venice (Italy) and took off from “Marco Polo” Airport. During its ferry flight, the aircraft stopped in Keflyavik (Iceland) and Bangor (Maine, USA).
SuperJet International plans to deliver additional seven SSJ100 aircraft by the end of 2015. Four of them are currently under completion at the hangar in Venice.
Today the Interjet fleet includes thirteen SSJ100 aircraft, which are confirming an outstanding dispatch reliability with an average over the 99%. The aircraft are operated in the domestic Mexican market and on new routes to Houston and San Antonio (Texas).
Upon the completion of the 14th Interjet SSJ100, Mr. Nazario Cauceglia, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International, expressed his satisfaction for this additional result and said: “Today the SSJ100 Program is mature enough to handle new important tasks and go ahead to achieve the success it deserves”.
A SSJ100 was also displayed at the Mexico’s Aerospace Fair 2015 in Santa Lucia Military Airbase (Mexico) last week, where the public appreciated the aircraft with the Interjet livery and the exclusive interior designed by Italian Pininfarina.
Interjet ordered 30 SSJ100 in the 93-seats (34’ pitch) configuration. The SSJ100 is developed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), in partnership with Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi. The aircraft incorporates the most modern Western technology and systems, optimized power and efficiency, together with high standards of comfort available in the 100-seat segment.
Safety inflatables maintenance solution for Air Canada is indicative of AJW Technique’s continual focus on quality
April 23, 2015
Montreal, April 23rd 2015: The AJW Group’s MRO facility has now entered its third year of full scale component repairs and as 2015 progresses, AJW Technique continues to achieve many significant milestones which further reinforce the organisation’s position as a new industry leader for both quality, and range of service offerings:
· Added the 4,500th capability – a GE made Flight Management Computer
· Produced the 15,000th component repair – a Fuel Metering Unit
· Added the 11th platform – Bombardier CRJ/Challenger
· Received their 60th external customer – Heico Component Repair Group
· Hired their 175th employee – Kenneth McArthur, Hydraulic Technician
These key points hint at the broader successes of a company that has managed to stride forward from simple asset acquisition to profitability in record time and are testament to the Group’s insistence on a superlative level of customer service through a targeted and flexible product scope.
In August 2013, AJW Technique won the maintenance contract for safety inflatables for the Air Canada fleet. Today, AJW Technique has processed over 550 slides and slide rafts in the honouring of this contract. A member of the Air Canada Supply Chain team stated “We are pleased with the work performed by AJW Technique on Air Canada’s safety inflatables. They have provided Air Canada with a quality solution for our safety inflatables through their capabilities and performance.”
“From an AJW Technique perspective it is great to see that our drive to lower Direct Maintenance Costs for our operator customers is one that works and really does make a difference” qualified Gavin Simmonds, General Manager – AJW Technique. “Keeping units on wing longer and maximizing the potential for on time departure allows airlines to increase their margins and maintain flight price satisfaction.”
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