Aeronavali has concluded two separate deals with Boeing on FedEx aircraft. The first covers passenger-to-freighter conversion of 11 Boeing MD-11s, while the second is the advanced common cockpit conversion of 34 McDonnell Douglas DC-10s (to MD-10 configuration). Both contracts will be managed by Boeing Airplane Services. Rolls-Royce is expanding its South American engine maintenance and overhaul services with a $20 million expansion at its Motores facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This will boost the plant's capabilities, allowing testing and servicing for civil and military customers. It will also be able to maintain and overhaul Embraer RJ-135/145 R-R Allison AE3007s. Airbus Industrie and Sextant are forming a jointly managed avionics repair centre in Beijing, which will provide comprehensive support for their expanding customer base in China. Japan Air System has signed a 10-year maintenance contract with Pratt & Whitney Engine Services for the P&W JT8D-200s that power its Boeing MD-80s. The $150 million contract applies to 63 engines, with P&W's facility in Columbus, Georgia, undertaking the work. US spares specialist Aviation Distributors has acquired a major spares package of more than 4,400 line items for Boeing 737-300/500s. Rotable and non-rotable consumable parts are included in the package, as well as major components. China Southern Airlines has placed a five year, $5.7 million, contract with Hawker Pacific Aerospace to carry out landing gear maintenance. Hawker Pacific will provide overhaul services at its facility in Sun Valley, California, for China Southern's Boeing 757s. It now provides overhaul services under long-term contracts for more than 175 757s. Braathens has placed a five-year contract with Trinity Aerospace Engineering for the repair and overhaul of landing gear on the airline's 737s.
Source: Flight International
