BIG WIN FOR COMPOSITE CRACK DETECTION SYSTEM
Perth-based Structural Monitoring Systems has secured an exclusive strategic partnership with an unnamed but "large" international aerospace company to develop and commercialise its comparative vacuum monitoring technology, which can track crack initiation and propagation in composite structures. SMS has conducted successful tests of the technology with Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer and several defence forces, but has struggled to secure necessary funding to bring its product to market.
P&W OPENS CFM56 OVERHAULSHOP IN SHANGHAI
Pratt & Whitney and China Eastern Airlines have joined to open a 25,000m² (269,000ft²) CFM56 engine overhaul facility in the Qingpu district, Shanghai. A three-year plan will result in capacity to overhaul up to 300 CFM56-3, -5B and -7 engines yearly and employ 800 people. China Eastern will provide a "base load" of engines to be serviced at the new centre.
AIRCELL REVEALS EXTENT OF LAYOFFS
In-flight connectivity provider Aircell has detailed the extent of its staff cuts. No senior management are affected, but 35 employees have been let go. Two weeks ago Aircell, best known for the Gogo broadband Internet system used by airlines AirTran, Delta-Northwest and Virgin America, said layoffs were needed to "right-size" the company.
CHINA MAY PRODUCE MORE THAN 5% OF A350
Airbus aims to spend $200 million in 2010 and nearly $500 million in 2015 procuring aircraft parts from China. It is possible that China will have more than 5% of the work on the A350 programme, says Airbus China president Laurence Barron. Airbus recently concluded deals with Chinese firms for the manufacture of A350 rudders and maintenance doors, and is negotiating deals to make A350 elevators and spoilers in China.
MOOG CLOSES GE ACTUATION BUSINESS DEAL
Moog has completed its purchase of GE AviationSystems' $100 million flight control actuation business based in Wolverhampton, UK for $90 million in cash. GE acquired the business as part of its $4.8 billion purchase of Smiths Aerospace in May 2007. Moog expects consolidated fiscal year 2010 sales, including the Wolverhampton operations, of $2.1 billion.
MRO SPEND DOWN 5% THIS YEAR: AEROSTRATEGY
Maintenance, repair and overhaul expenditure will decline 5% this year to $41.8 billion, according to an AeroStrategy forecast. The 2009 figure would represent a decline of more than 7% from 2007, when MRO expenditure peaked at $45 billion. Downstream impacts of the decline in fundamental MRO demand will be compounded by supply chain practices such as de-stocking, warned AeroStrategy principal David Stewart, who estimates that the MRO supply chains holds inventory worth more than $40 billion.
ASTROTECH EXPLORES STRATEGIC OPTIONS
Satellite ground support company Astrotech has engaged investment bank Lazard to explore strategic options that could include the sale of the company. In its year to the end of June, Astrotech made its first net profit since 2005, posting a 25% increase in revenue to $32 million and turning a pre-tax loss of $35.5million into a $4.2million pre-tax profit.
Source: Flight International
