Aviation News in Brief 3 September 2020

Vistara, Japan Airlines sign frequent flyer deal: Indian carrier Vistara and Japan Airlines (JAL) have signed a partnership deal to give members of their frequent flyer programmes the opportunity to earn miles/points on each other, effective 31 August 2020. The partnership enables Club Vistara members to earn and redeem CV Points on flights operated and marketed by Japan Airlines, covering an extensive global network that includes nearly 80 destinations across 20 countries and regions. Reciprocally, members of JAL Mileage Bank will be able to earn and spend their miles on flights operated and marketed by Vistara across a steadily growing network of destinations within and outside of India. Vistara and Japan Airlines had first signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2017 to pursue commercial opportunities together. Last year, the two airlines entered a codeshare agreement, with the network of codeshare services having been expanded earlier this year. Airinmar selected by Frontier for warranty and value engineering services: AAR subsidiary Airinmar, a global independent provider of component repair cycle management and aircraft warranty solutions, signed a new services agreement with low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines. Airinmar will provide a full suite of support services covering both aircraft warranty and value engineering. Warranty management services will cover the identification, claim and recovery of the multiple airframe, engine and component warranty entitlements provided by Airbus and its suppliers. Value engineering support will include cost oversight services to assure compliance with Frontier’s contracted component repairs and minimize component flight-hour out-of-scope repair charges. The services will complement Frontier’s current materials management activities and focus on maximising the recovery of Frontier’s warranty entitlements and reducing the cost of component repair. Nextant Aerospace and Veracity Technology Solutions partner on services: Nextant Aerospace and Veracity Technology Solutions are partnering to expand their non-destructive testing (NDT) capabilities beyond the aviation industry. While the two companies will continue to focus on business and military aircraft inspections, they will share resources to grow their NDT services in outside markets ranging from power generation and industrial services to amusement park rides. This agreement makes high quality aviation-grade inspections available to a broader range of clients, and it allows each company to increase its expertise without sacrificing individual core competencies. Non-destructive testing is an essential tool for determining the integrity of a structure without altering or damaging the object being tested. Depending on circumstances, test methods utilize ultrasonic waves, electromagnetic fields and enhanced visual inspections to detect cracks and defects in the material being tested. Many companies utilize third-party NDT technicians to test equipment on a yearly basis, or as part of a scheduled maintenance programme. Sustainable fuel now available with new Beechcraft, Cessna deliveries: Textron Aviation is offering customers the option to choose an initial tank containing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with delivery of new Beechcraft turboprop and Cessna turboprop and jet aircraft. SAF delivers a cleaner source of fuel to power turbine aircraft.  Customers of Textron Aviation’s service centre in Wichita, Kansas also have the option of refuelling with SAF as part of their service experience. “SAF equips air travellers with the ability to lessen the impact of their journeys on our planet, and we are proud to be making this fuel type available as part of our new aircraft delivery experience,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Customer Experience. “SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent over the fuel’s lifecycle, compared to those made from fossil sources and provides an active way for the aviation industry to lower its overall carbon footprint. In 2019, Textron Aviation flew a wide array of aircraft to major industry events such as EBACE and NBAA-BACE using SAF, and it is something we will seek to do for future events. Offering SAF for customer deliveries demonstrates an important next step in Textron Aviation’s commitment to sustainability.” ALSIM sells simulator to Spanish provider: ALSIM has sold a new simulator to FTEJerez in Spain. The AL250 simulator addresses initial phase training needs (PPL, CPL, IR/ME) and is SEP/MEP re-configurable simulator certified as an EASA FNPT II. In addition, it offers both classic and glass cockpit instrumentation for each flight model at the simple flick of a switch. This device has been extremely well received since its creation and more than 65 of these have already been installed and are in successful operation worldwide. “At FTEJerez we believe that every stage of the training syllabus is important to achieve the standards the industry demands. The AL250 is a necessary upgrade to provide our cadets with the best equipment and training experience at what is a key stage of their training course: their initial single engine flying. At FTEJerez we look forward to certifying the AL250 as an approved Flight Training Device (FTD) and also for PBN (Performance Based Navigation). Furthermore, the device will allow FTEJerez to conduct Flight Instructor upgrades, for example to IRI”, according to Oscar Sordo, CEO. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]