Asian Aviation Magazine wins top awards: Asian Aviation Magazine editor Matt Driskill and contributor Michael Doran won two top awards at the Aerospace Media Awards Asia. Driskill (pictured left) was recognised with “The Outstanding Achievement Award” for his Viewpoint columns on sustainability, the environment, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on aviation. Doran was recognised with the “Best Business Aviation Submission” for his work on the Asian business aviation and MRO industry. The awards are sponsored by Collins Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, CAE, and Pratt & Whitney and were presented on the first night of the airshow. Driskill joined Asian Aviation in late 2015 after serving as a Reuters senior editor in Singapore and in Hong Kong as editor of Business Asia published by the International Herald Tribune/New York Times.
Quarantine waivers granted for some Singapore Airshow attendees: Attendees who flew into Singapore on a non-Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight have been accorded quarantine-free entry into Singapore to participate the Singapore Airshow 2020. Representatives from several companies confirmed they were granted what they called “quarantine waivers” from the Singapore government to attend the show. Show organisers Experia said “Singapore Airshow is a pilot event with higher capacity and no zoning requirements. Experia has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate short-term quarantine-free travel for selected international attendees coming into Singapore. International participants need to undergo daily COVID-19 testing in addition to being fully vaccinated with World Health Organisation Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) vaccines.” Under Singapore’s current rules, any passengers arriving in the city-state on a non-VTL flight would normally have to undergo at least seven days in quarantine or isolation at their home or hotel. Show organisers declined to disclose how many attendees have accepted the waivers. Experia set up a so-called “Special Safe Travel Lane” for show attendees arriving on non-VTL flights that allowed them to avoid quarantines.
CEBU Pacific Air partners with CAE and The LOSA Collaborative: CAE announced that Cebu Pacific Air (Cebu) is the first airline customer to sign up for its new integrated data service offering which for the first time, includes data from a Line Operation Safety Audit (LOSA). Through its exclusive service agreement with The LOSA Collaborative, CAE will assist with the implementation of Cebu’s LOSA programme, including planning, data collection, and debriefing. For pilot training data, CEBU will leverage CAE Rise, a data-driven and AI-powered training system to gather insights from pilot training sessions. As part of this agreement, CAE will provide recommendations on the design of pilot training programs based on data collected from line operations and flight simulator training sessions. The combination of insights and de-identified data from line operations and pilot training sessions will enable the design of an Integrated Safety Management System to enhance CEBU’s flight safety and pilot training effectiveness.
Aerodata orders King Airs: Aerodata AG has ordered two Textron Aviation Special Mission Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft equipping them for the flight inspection mission. The aircraft will be owned and will be operated by the Airport Authority of India and based in Delhi. “With the selection of the King Air 360 to replace their existing King Air B300s, we are honored that Aerodata and the Airport Authority of India has continued confidence in the Beechcraft King Air to perform this critical flight inspection mission,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales, Textron Aviation. “The Airport Authority of India will use the aircraft for inspection and calibration of en-route and terminal navigation aids throughout India.” Aerodata is a privately owned company with global presence. Founded in 1985 the Aerodata Group has its base at the research airport Braunschweig-Wolfsburg in Germany. Aerodata, a world leader in Flight Inspection System, provides AeroFIS for the inspection of all NAVAids and flight procedures that need calibration or validation.
Airbus, and Institute of Technical Education commit to training: Airbus and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) of Singapore have signed two agreements that will see both parties expand their collaboration in the area of aerospace training. The first is a Memorandum of Understanding, in which Airbus will support ITE in developing future generations of engineers and mechanics in accordance with the aviation industry’s standards. This will be achieved through the enhancement of ITE’s training programme and curriculum to meet the aircraft manufacturer’s standards and better address the needs of new generation aircraft such as Airbus’ A350. Under the agreement, Airbus will work with ITE to augment their basic maintenance training curriculum by co-developing composite structure repair training and extending instructors’ competencies. In addition Testia, an Airbus company, will support ITE in developing Non Destructive Testing capability for their education curriculum. This includes the development of practical sessions and group projects, as well organising technology talks for students, in line with the latest industry trends. “As the aviation industry undergoes transformation, it has become paramount for us to equip our students with the knowledge and skills for new materials and maintenance standards. The partnership with aviation leader, Airbus, as well as Testia, will enhance the training programmes at ITE to equip aviation professionals with relevant skills. We are also honoured that with this partnership, we can strengthen our curriculum and work towards being the first educational institution in Singapore to be recognised by Airbus to support the basic maintenance and structure repair training for the next-generation aircrafts,” said Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE.
SIA Engineering forming MRO JV with SR Technics in Malaysia: SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) announced that it has entered into an agreement with SR Technics Switzerland (SR Technics) to acquire a 75 percent stake in SR Technics Malaysia (SRT Malaysia), to form a component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) joint venture. The JV will complement SIAEC’s existing component repair and overhaul services and fleet management programmes. This follows the earlier announcement on 1 March 2021 of the potential acquisition (in part or whole) of SRT Malaysia, located in Selangor, Malaysia. Under the agreement, SR Technics will retain the remaining 25 percent stake. The consideration for the acquisition of SR Technics’ 75 percent stake in SRT Malaysia is US$3.75 million in cash. This was arrived at after arm’s length negotiations on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis, and after considering, inter alia, the net asset value and financial performance of SRT Malaysia. Based on SRT Malaysia’s adjusted net tangible assets as at 30 November 2021, the net asset value of the SRT Malaysia shares acquired by SIAEC is US$2.62 million. The completion of this transaction is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of conditions precedents set out in the agreement with SR Technics.
Singapore Airlines and Scoot sign 787 MRO agreement with Collins Aerospace: Collins Aerospace announced that it has entered into a long-term MRO deal with Singapore Airlines and Scoot, to support the Singapore Airlines Group fleet of 55 Boeing 787 aircraft. Through its FlightSense programme, Collins will provide the airlines with full lifecycle support for high-performance pool access, maintenance services and reliability upgrades. Products supported under the agreement include Collins’ air management systems, electric power generator and start systems, emergency power systems, fire suppression, sensors and lighting systems. The new agreement also extends Scoot’s current FlightSense programme with Collins, which was signed in 2014, to include the airline’s new 787 aircrafts that will be delivered in 2023.
Embraer, Widerøe and Rolls-Royce announce partnership on sustainable tech: Embraer, Widerøe and Rolls-Royce have announced plans to study a conceptual zero-emission regional aircraft. The 12-month cooperation study – in the context of pre-competitive research and development – will address passenger requirements to stay connected in a post Covid-19 world, but do so sustainably, and seeks to accelerate the knowledge of the technologies necessary for this transition. Such technologies will allow national governments to continue to support passenger mobility while reusing most of the existing infrastructure in a more sustainable way. Advances in scientific research can make clean and renewable energy a major enabler of a new era of regional aviation and the three companies will share their combined in-depth knowledge of aircraft design, market demand, operations and propulsion solutions to further develop their understanding of zero-emission technologies and how they can be matured and applied to future regional aircraft. Among other topics, the study will cover a wide range of applications for new propulsion technologies to examine a range of potential solutions – including all-electric, hydrogen fuel cell or hydrogen fuelled gas turbine powered aircraft.
Eve and Skyports announce partnership for Japan: Eve UAM, and Skyports, an infrastructure provider for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger and cargo vehicles, announced a partnership that will support the development of a new Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including Urban Air Mobility (UAM), for the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The initiative aims to provide a shared vision of airspace design, operation, infrastructure, and other benefits to enable AAM operation in Japan. The collaboration involves partners including Kanematsu Corporation, the major Japanese trading company with businesses in the aerospace industry, and Japan Airlines (JAL), the main Japanese passenger airline for domestic and international air transportation. Eve has partnered with Skyports in multiple and diverse concepts worldwide, forming a cooperation that examines the AAM ecosystem required for distinctive operating environments across the globe. This unique experience benefits the preparation of Japan’s CONOPS and ensures that the needs of users, the Japanese community, and other stakeholders will be taken into account.
ST Engineering signs deal for GE Aviation MRO: ST Engineering and GE Aviation recently signed a multi-year contract to implement Test Cell Advisor in ST Engineering’s CFM56 overhaul shops in Singapore and Xiamen, China. Test Cell Advisor is a new GE Aviation data analytics service to provide added insights into the engine performance analysis during testing. The same service, developed by GE engineers, is in use at GE-owned overhaul shops worldwide. Test Cell Advisor gives MRO shops servicing GE and CFM International engines same-day analysis of engine performance during return-to-service testing. This way, MRO shops can assess if the engine is operating optimally as expected and if any follow-on actions are required to enhance engines performance. Tay Eng Guan, vice president and general manager of engines MRO at ST Engineering, said, “Digital technology and analytics are the way forward in making maintenance services more efficient and cost effective for operators. The implementation of GE’s Test Cell Advisor is one of the many ways we are incorporating smart technologies. We look forward to value add to our customers through the use of Test Cell Advisor, further improving our high standard in quality and safety.” The Test Cell Advisor data analytics evaluate hundreds of engine performance trends based on GE’s experience, including vibration, exhaust gas temperature, fuel flow, thrust, core speed and more.
ANA chooses GE Digital’s Fuel Insight: GE Digital announced that All Nippon Airways (ANA) has implemented Fuel Insight, a software solution that works by understanding real data from the aircraft to meet 2050 net zero emissions goals. Aviation Software solutions from GE Digital help aircraft operators increase sustainability across their operation – from fuel usage, to airspace efficiency, predictive maintenance, and flight crew performance. Fuel Insight from GE Digital Aviation Software is a digital suite that leverages proprietary analytics algorithms to monitor fuel efficiency and deliver data-driven insights for identifying and implementing sustainable fuel efficiency initiatives. ANA is Japan’s largest airline with a complex fleet structure representing a number of aircraft types. After extensive testing, the company decided on Fuel Insights to manage its fuel efficiency and sustainability initiatives. The project, powered by GE Digital’s robust analytics, flexible visualization capabilities, and subject matter expertise in flight data analytics and operations, will focus on three fuel savings initiatives: engine out / taxi in, idle reverse thrust, and normal climb as a first step.
SIA Engineering completes trial using SAF: SIA Engineering (SIAEC) announced it has completed a successful trial using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to perform engine tests at its engine test facility. The trial, which was conducted with SIAEC’s joint venture with Rolls-Royce, Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited (SAESL), set out to test SIAEC’s infrastructure and operational readiness, as well as the logistics, to use blended SAF for its test cell, which is a facility to conduct performance checks on an aircraft engine after maintenance. The engine tests were conducted on a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, which is used to power the A380 aircraft, using 38 percent blended SAF. The blended SAF for the engine tests produced 32 percent lower carbon emissions compared to conventional fossil jet fuel. The engine test facility itself also taps renewable energy to power its operations, with over 500 solar panels installed on its roof generating approximately 260 MWh of solar electricity annually. The trial paves the way for more engine tests to be performed using SAF when the adoption of SAF scales up in the future. This initiative, together with existing offerings such as the provision of Ground Support Assisted Transit (GSAT) services to reduce usage of aircraft auxiliary power units, will position SIAEC as a sustainability-centric maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider.
10TH Bell 429 delivered to the Philippines: Bell Textron Inc. has delivered the 10th Bell 429 to a corporate customer in the Philippines, demonstrating the Bell 429’s continued popularity among corporate customers in the Philippines who value the Bell 429’s reliability, smooth and quiet ride, and Bell’s industry-leading support and services. Earlier this year, the Bell 429 marked a milestone, surpassing 500,000 global fleet hours. The Bell 429 remains at the forefront as mission requirements evolve. Advanced capabilities of the 429 include single pilot IFR, Category A operations and an integrated avionics glass cockpit, designed to offer the best combination of flexibility, safety, and durability. The aircraft can complete a range of missions including, search and rescue, medical evacuations, natural disaster relief, national security and military training. Along with the newest Bell 429 in the Philippines, there are currently more than 400 Bell 429 aircraft serving an array of customers, offering versatility through missions and excellent performance.
Airbus Asia Training Centre inaugurates 4th full flight A350 simulator: The Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC) has inaugurated its fourth A350 Full Flight Simulator (FFS). This sees AATC offer more A350 simulator capacity than any other training centre in the world. The addition also consolidates AATC’s position as the largest Airbus-operated flight crew training centre in the company’s global network, with two A320, two A330, one A380 and four A350 simulators. AATC also hosts one ATR 72-600 FFS. The focus on the A330, A350 and A380 reflects the popularity of Airbus widebody aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region, with nearly 900 in service and around 220 currently on order for future delivery. AATC is a joint venture owned 55 percent by Airbus and 45 percent by Singapore Airlines (SIA). At almost 10,000 square meters in size, the facility at Seletar Aerospace Park is part of the Airbus Flight Training Network and serves the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Since operations began in April 2016, AATC has successfully attracted 69 airline customers. AATC has the capacity to offer type rating and recurrent training courses for up to 10,000 trainees per year.
Airbus to support Philippine Airlines with cabin upgrades: Philippine Airlines (PAL) has selected Airbus to perform cabin modification for 15 aircraft and expand the material services programme for the airline’s Airbus fleet. The cabin modification agreement covers 11 A320, two A330-300s and two A350-900s. When completed, PAL’s A320s will have 24 extra seats to bring the total seat count to 180, a configuration that suits the airline’s requirements for short-haul inter-island domestic routes. The two A330s will gain an additional 50 seats to bring the total seat count to 359 for better airlift capability on key higher-density regional routes and repatriation flights. The A350s will gain another 18 seats for a total of 313 seats, which still preserves the roomy cabin layout and passenger-friendly experience that PAL Business Class and Economy Class travellers enjoy on the A350’s long-haul routes. PAL has contracted Airbus to provide the relevant Service Bulletins and kits required for the cabin modification programme, which comes as part of the carrier’s fleet restructuring plans. In addition, PAL is extending its ‘Flight Hour Services’ (FHS) material programme with Airbus to cover more of its fleet, with guaranteed parts availability to secure the operational reliability and efficiency of PAL’s widebody and narrowbody aircraft.
SR Technics and Bamboo Airways sign MOU: SR Technics and Vietnam-based airline Bamboo Airways announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Singapore Airshow 2022. The MoU establishes an agreement to jointly work together in the development of solutions being advanced by both companies. The agreement will allow SR Technics and Bamboo Airways to explore areas of cooperation including CFM56-5B engines, training services, also providing technical services and component services by STRADE. By signing the Memorandum of Understanding, SR Technics and Bamboo Airways established a long-term partnership. The total value of its multiple cooperation would lead to around US$60 million of signed deals. Commenting on the MoU signing at the ceremony, SR Technics CEO Jean-Marc Lenz said: “We are thrilled to welcome Bamboo Airways as a new SR Technics customer and look forward to meeting and exceeding their expectations. I am pleased that with this MoU we will further support our commitment to provide best-in-class MRO services in the aviation world. We look forward to the future development of our partnership. This will impact the growth and strengthen Vietnam’s competitive position in serving the worldwide aviation MRO industry.”
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