AAV News in Brief 06 April 2025

Universal Avionics Connected FMS certified on Part 25 aircraft: Universal Avionics (UA) announced that FAA certification has been achieved for the installation of its Wi-Fi-enabled Flight Management System (FMS) on Part 25 aircraft models. The Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML STC) serves as the foundation for the deployment of Universal’s Connected Avionics onto aircraft. The Connected Avionics solution integrates the Universal FMS with UA FlightPartner iPad applications for Smart Flight Planning in all phases of flight. When installed, database updates and flight plans can be synced on the go, reducing the duration of database updates by almost 45 minutes while shortening pre-flight preparation time. Two-way interactions between the iPad and the FMS provide an intuitive human-machine interface while enhancing situational awareness, permitting pilots to view and update the flight plan on their tablet on the ground and throughout the flight. Flight Route data, including winds/temperatures aloft, fuel, weight, take-off and landing performance, can be entered from Tablet Apps to the FMS saving pilot entry time every flight. Aircraft flight data is collected automatically by the system, delivering performance reporting and insights using the UA FlightReview App, with trend monitoring capabilities through third-party software solutions. Bluebox joins Viasat connected partner platform: Bluebox Aviation Systems announced its partnership with global satellite communications provider Viasat Inc., becoming a member of its innovative Connected Partner Platform (CPP). Under this agreement, the Blueview Retail solution will be available to airlines using Viasat’s in-flight connectivity-powered suite of digital products. Bluebox’s Blueview Retail is a state-of-the-art digital solution enabling airlines to significantly increase onboard retail revenue per seat by providing seamless order-to-seat capability directly through passenger devices. Airline deployments have demonstrated a 10% to 20% increase in retail revenue when order-to-seat is available. Notably, 70% of total onboard transactions typically occur through the system, highlighting passenger preference for the convenience of ordering from their own devices throughout the entire flight journey, rather than waiting for the trolley service. Integrated with Viasat’s robust in-flight connectivity infrastructure, Blueview Retail can function as a stand-alone system or integrate seamlessly within existing airline retail ecosystems. It supports various onboard offerings, including food and beverage (F&B) and duty-free products, enhancing passenger engagement and driving ancillary revenue. Additional features include airline-branded experiences, personalised retail promotions, and Viasat-powered advertising placements integrated within the retail interface. Mayman Aerospace RAZOR VTOL achieves autonomous inaugural flight: Mayman Aerospace announced the successful completion of test flights for the RAZOR P100, which will be the first commercial aircraft in the company’s family of autonomous UAS. The achievement marks a major milestone not only for RAZOR but for the company’s strategic vision and market position. The test program, conducted at the US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre located at Twentynine Palms, CA validated 18 months of meticulous engineering and development efforts. Most notably, the tests included the successful inaugural untethered flights of the RAZOR P100, which operated with complete autonomy while executing complex flight manoeuvres that demonstrated the sophisticated capabilities of RAZOR’s proprietary flight control software called SKYFIELD. SKYFIELD, the company’s advanced AI-driven autonomous flight control system, will enable numerous RAZOR aircraft to navigate complex environments without human intervention, making critical adjustments in real-time based on operational conditions. This autonomous AI-driven decision-making capability will also allow the platform to adapt to changing mission parameters and environmental factors with precision and reliability. In addition to the P100’s series of tests, the program featured the first extended range flight of the RAZOR TBX, while successfully carrying a payload of 50 pounds. This fully autonomous beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operation marked the 26th flight for the TBX platform, which continues to serve as both a reliable workhorse and an invaluable testbed for ongoing research and development initiatives. Avelo Airlines implements MINT Training Management System: MINT Software Systems announced the successful implementation of MINT TMS for the startup commercial airline Avelo Airlines. Avelo launched MINT’s solution in September of 2024, complete with third-party integrations, executing this project in just eighteen months. The first nine-month phase of this project was for Avelo’s flight crew, and the second nine-month phase expanded the project to cover the inflight crew and integrations. MINT TMS is a web-based training management system that helps aviation operators comply with regulations by simplifying every part of the training cycle. In addition to qualification management, MINT TMS uses intelligent decision-making in its algorithm to forecast, plan, and optimize training schedules to cut costs, reduce labor, and better utilize instructors, classrooms, and flight simulator time. MINT TMS’s robust reporting allows training departments to analyse layers of data and uncover important trends to improve training performance. Avelo Airlines also implemented MINT’s PRD add-on to automatically send required pilot training records directly to the FAA’s Pilot Records Database, saving time and reducing human errors. Using MINT’s Calendar Sync add-on, training schedules within MINT TMS are automatically synced with Avelo’s third-party calendar application, eliminating double booking and simplifying operations. Additional integrations between MINT TMS and Avelo’s internal systems improve efficiency by reducing data redundancies. NYCO launches one-stop aviation chemical solutions for China: NYCO, a French company, has officially launched its one-stop aerospace chemical solutions for the China aviation market at the MRO Guangzhou exhibition, which was held from March 18 to 20, 2025 in Guangzhou, China. As the world’s leading manufacturer of aviation lubrication products, NYCO has more than 60 years of professional experience in this field, and its products are widely used in civil and military aviation. NYCO’s product line includes mineral and synthetic lubricants for aircraft engines, APUs, starters, IDGs, etc., multi-purpose or specialty mineral and synthetic greases for extreme environments (high and low temperatures, high speeds, high pressures, salt spray, corrosion, humidity, etc.) in compliance with aviation standards and others. Francois FAY, Business Development Manager for China & South America of NYCO, said: “The successful conversion of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines fully proves the excellent performance of TURBONYCOILs 600. NYCO will continue to strengthen the layout of the Chinese market, optimize the supply chain system, and provide more efficient and stable lubricant protection services for domestic airlines. NYCO plans to rely on Hainan Free Trade Port Aviation Lubricant Support Center to provide one-stop solutions thanks to its partner’s aviation lubricant bonded warehouse in Hainan Free Trade Port. The Group and its partner also aim for an aviation lubricant bonded warehouse to be set up in Mainland China to further enhance its capacity to serve the Chinese aviation lubricant market and help Chinese aviation companies optimize their operation management.” Satair Adds 5 million Airbus part numbers to Satair Market: Satair announced a major expansion of its award-winning e-commerce platform, Satair Market, with the addition of 5 million Airbus proprietary part numbers and associated services. This strategic move marks a significant step in the harmonisation of Satair’s product offering, strengthening its connection to Airbus and enhancing the customer experience for its global base of airlines, lessors, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. The integration of Airbus parts and services onto Satair Market represents the migration of products from the existing Airbus Spares platform, which has served Airbus operators with aftermarket material and support for decades. By consolidating these offerings, Satair delivers a true one-stop-shop experience, combining Airbus proprietary parts, OEM parts from a vast network of top-tier suppliers, used serviceable material, and surplus parts offered through a marketplace feature by third-party sellers. Satair, acquired by Airbus in 2011, has long been the exclusive provider of Airbus proprietary parts and associated services, including repair and initial provisioning. With this latest development, Satair transitions from a two-channel setup to a unified platform, offering its entire product portfolio in a single, streamlined digital space. IATA SAF Registry goes live: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry with its release to the Civil Aviation Decarbonisation Organization (CADO). The Registry, now live under CADO management, will enable a global market for SAF that will accelerate the transition to net zero emissions by 2050. “Aviation’s decarbonization is a team effort. In releasing the SAF Registry to CADO for launch, we have put in place a critical platform for the benefit of all stakeholders. It ensures that all airlines in the world have access to SAF and that their SAF purchases can be claimed against any climate-related obligations in this domain. The Registry will record the environmental attributes of SAF purchases in an immutable way, safeguarding against double counting. Airlines, their corporate customers, fuel producers, regulatory bodies, and all related organizations will be able to record and account for their SAF transactions in a global market for SAF. While this is of fundamental importance and a historically momentous advance, it is but one step along the way to a mature, transparent, and liquid global SAF market. The Registry cannot produce miracles on its own, but without it, no miracles can be produced,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist. L3Harris CAS business rebrands as Acron Aviation: L3Harris Commercial Aviation Solutions (CAS) will now be known as Acron Aviation to reflect its new brand following the acquisition of the business by TJC LP. The new name is adapted from the Greek word άkron which means peak, or highest point and aptly symbolises the ambition and mission the company has for the future. Located in the UK, US, Thailand and India, Acron Aviation continues the mission that embodies its enterprising spirit: innovate to create safer skies. Drawing on its rich heritage, Acron Aviation aims to establish itself as an unconventional, top tier, partner of choice for our customers in avionics, airline training solutions, and flight data intelligence. With its integrated portfolio of products, services, and aftermarket solutions the company supports the entire life cycle of a platform, offering flexible solutions to meet diverse customer needs. Alan Crawford, Chief Executive Officer, Acron Aviation says: “Since our inception, we’ve been at the forefront of aviation excellence, from pioneering the first flight simulator in the 1920s to delivering top-tier avionics technology. As we embark on this new exciting chapter, our identity will be founded on a culture of continuous innovation and guided by our core values of putting our customers first, moving fast, owning our actions, and speaking candidly – to power our mission of better, safer flight for operators and their customers.” FL Technics nears completion of Punta Cana facility: FL Technics, a global MRO provider and subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, is expanding its global footprint by establishing a new aircraft maintenance hangar facility in the Dominican Republic. The facility nears completion construction, with FL Technics having already secured key specialists and actively recruiting the remaining team. Additionally, the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Instituto Dominicano De Aviación Civil (IDAC) is currently underway.  Located in Punta Canta, the site will open in October 2025 and will allow FL Technics to heavy maintenance operations in the Americas through a 52,000-square-meter complex, delivering base maintenance for Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 family aircraft.  FL Technics will roll-out of the new state-of-the-art aviation maintenance hub in three strategic phases. Phase one of the project will introduce a 20,000-square-meter hangar, featuring five maintenance bays and an integrated series of support workshops with sheet metal, composite, paint, and interior capabilities. 50% of the hangar facility’s construction has already been completed. Phase two of the project will see the facility expand to 12 maintenance bays, positioning Punta Cana as a strategic MRO hub for airlines operating in the region. The third and final phase will grow the facility to 20 maintenance bays. Emirates Group co-locates to world’s largest solar-powered data centre: The Emirates Group has joined forces with Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, for co-location services at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Moro Hub is the world’s largest solar-powered data centre, as certified by the Guinness World Records. The co-location signifies a major shift for the Emirates Group’s robust technology infrastructure as the organisation prepares for its next big growth trajectory. The Group expects to start relocating its data centre from mid-2026 to Moro Hub, who will provide comprehensive co-location services, including rack space, power, cooling, equipment supply, and other associated services. With this move, the Emirates Group will switch to clean energy to the tune of 3,000 megawatts annually, which is required to power the data centre. Ink Innovation and BAGTAG introduce digital bag tag integration: Ink Innovation, the provider of advanced departure control and passenger handling solutions, and BAGTAG, the global leader in electronic bag tags (EBTs), have entered into a new partnership to make BAGTAG’s platform directly available to all airlines using Ink’s systems. Through this collaboration, BAGTAG is now fully integrated into the Ink ecosystem, making it easy for airlines to implement digital baggage tagging within their check-in flows. Passengers can prepare their baggage at home using the BAGTAG mobile app, streamlining their journey before even leaving for the airport. BAGTAG fits perfectly ZERO, Ink’s new concept that redefines the airport experience. Ink ZERO takes passengers through check-in, bag drop, security, and boarding without paper or mobile phones. Using electronic bag tags within this environment supports a truly digital, efficient, and touchpoint-light journey. AAR completes sale of landing gear overhaul business: AAR announced that it has completed the divestiture of its non-core Landing Gear Overhaul business to GA Telesis for $51 million. On December 20, 2024, AAR announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to divest the business as part of the Company’s strategic plan to optimize its portfolio by investing in core functions that will accelerate its targeted growth and margin expansion initiatives. “The divestiture of our Landing Gear Overhaul business is another step to enhance our portfolio and focus on growing our core aviation aftermarket services,” said John M. Holmes, AAR’s Chairman, President and CEO. “I want to thank our Landing Gear team for their many contributions to AAR over the years and wish them and GA Telesis success in the future.” MTU Maintenance and Air Canada sign exclusive CF6-80 MRO contract: MTU Maintenance has signed an exclusive contract with Air Canada for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of CF6-80C2 engines powering the flag carrier’s Boeing 767 cargo aircraft. The agreement is a continuation of the two companies’ strong partnership: MTU Maintenance has been the exclusive MRO service provider for Air Canada’s CF6-80C2 engines for more than 25 years. Under the agreement, the Montreal-based airline will send the wide-body aircraft engines to the MTU Maintenance Canada facility in Delta, British Columbia, where they will undergo various workscopes, including performance restorations, overhauls and accessory repair, among others. MTU Maintenance Hannover, which also specializes in the MRO of the CF6-80C2, will act as support for its Canadian sibling, while MTU Maintenance Dallas, the network’s North American hub for ON-SITEPlus services, will complement with on- and near-wing services. The contract runs until 2027 and has a three-year extension option, thereafter. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]