SOCHATA, THE maintenance arm of French aero-engine manufacturer Snecma, has qualified as an approved quick-engine-change (QEC) repair station for the Allison T56-501Ds which power the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. It becomes one of only three such engine-repair centres.

Lockheed Martin has provided Sochata with technical training, especially on the Hercules' engine/systems interface, and is appointing a representative at Sochata.

The Lockheed Martin QEC agreement follows approval from Allison, which was awarded to Sochata in July 1994 and covers maintenance, technical assistance and parts distribution.

Sochata has signed a maintenance and repair contract with China Southern Airlines, a major CFM International CFM56 operator in China. The carrier operates 22 Boeing 737-300s and 12 737-500s.

The accord covers maintenance of a first batch of six CFM56-3Cs in 1996 and 1997. The two have been co-operating on CFM56 maintenance since 1991. Sochata claims to have secured 75% of the CFM56-3 overhaul market in China.

Source: Flight International

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