The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could become a coverup for other trends already happening in aerospace. Decreased demand for some aircraft, cost-cutting for efficiency, and supply chain consolidation are occurring for various reasons, but many will blame the COVID-19 virus as the cause. That’s the contention of Jeff White, partner at law firm Robinson+Cole, which represents manufacturers and distributors ranging from Fortune 50 companies to family-owned businesses. Based in the northeast United States, White leads the firm’s manufacturing industry group, where he focuses on the aerospace supply chain, mainly Tier 1s and 2s.

I spoke to White as the pandemic was shutting down most of western Europe and starting to idle many manufacturers across the U.S. as states directed people to stay at home to slow the disease’s spread.

“People say COVID is the reason the industry is suffering, but I think there are other reasons,” White says. Saudi Arabia’s and Russia’s oil-price war was lowering fuel costs and reducing airlines’ need for new, fuel-efficient jetliners before the COVID-19 outbreak. Offering passengers more flights and city pairs using transcontinental single-aisle jets was already softening airlines’ demand for large, twin-aisle aircraft before COVID nearly stopped international travel.

“I see COVID-19 as an accelerator or exacerbator, not a cause of problems that were already occurring,” White says. “Cost-cutting measures already coming within the aerospace supply chain were there before COVID-19. We were seeing signs that the bigger players were slowing down.”

He foresees cost cutting coming from some larger players will affect suppliers for the next two-to-three years.

“Suppliers that can handle the cost cuts and remain competitive have already invested in technology,” White notes.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been reducing the number of supply chain partners. To make the short list, White advises, “Build and encourage relationships. Don’t be one of many. They will want you if you are doing things right. Be a responsible business partner, deliver on-time, and meet your quality metric.”

Another trend he anticipates is failure of some private equity companies that paid a premium to buy smaller suppliers in large numbers. “A lot were already showing signs they were not going to be successful, which will result in more consolidation. The healthier private equity funds are going to start buying up some aerospace companies from other private equity funds on the cheap.”

It’s too early to tell if COVID-19 will be catastrophic to air travel. A lot depends on how long the disease persists. A few months’ disruption should not impact air travel projections for the next decade, White and other aviation industry analysts believe.

“People will eventually want to get on airplanes. The idea that we’re not going to travel internationally anymore is ridiculous,” White concludes. – Eric

The LR 35 Vertical Buffer Module storage and retrieval unit can pick and deliver small parts quickly to meet demands for greater flexibility, ergonomics, and energy efficiency in intralogistics.

The system can pick small parts from bins, totes, and trays in small- and medium-sized warehouses, handling single-part or small-volume orders. The unit includes a shelf system with automatic bin handling, picking stations, and its own logistics software.

The LR 35 can be fitted with up to four access openings or picking stations. Each station has a turntable tilted at a 20° angle for ergonomic, stress-free operation. While the operator picks one order, the LR 35 prepares the next bin and places it on the turntable’s rear shelf. Once the picking process is complete, the turntable rotates 180° and the next bin is ready for picking, minimizing wait times.

Goods can be stored in standard bins/totes or on a tray compatible with a mini-load system without time-consuming repacking. Trays, bins, or totes of different heights can be mixed and stored together. Each load carrier can hold up to 77 lb (35kg).

The module’s lightweight design incorporates a shelf system and aisle where a movable mast with rotating gripper quickly loads the picking stations. All LR 35 versions use standardized components to enhance the unit’s scalability.

The LR 35 consumes one-third of the energy of a mini-load system, eliminating the need for an energy recovery system. Modern drive technology, highly efficient motors, and optimally configured frequency converters also save energy.

The LR 35 can be adapted to fit existing buildings and conveyors by fitting conveyor connections on the unit’s front, rear, or end face.

Kardex Remstar LLC
http://www.kardexremstar.com

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) completed the first flight of the production-representative MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) on March 30, 2020, at its flight operations facility in El Mirage, California.

The company aircraft is being used for ground and flight testing to collect airworthiness data to achieve military type certification for the U.K. Royal Air Force’s SkyGuardian configuration, the Protector RG Mk1. NATO-standard type certification will enable flexible operations in civil airspace, GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue says.

The MQ-9B is built for all-weather performance with lightning protection, damage tolerance, a de-icing system, and a GA-ASI-developed detect and avoid system (DAAS).

“Our detect and avoid system has been extensively tested and not only meets but exceeds the capabilities of the air traffic awareness and avoidance systems used on today’s commercial airliners,” says GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. http://www.ga-asi.com

Recent Boeing supply chain services agreements with All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Xiamen Airlines streamline maintenance, repair, operations, and parts management.

• Japan’s All Nippon Airways: expanded an agreement for consumable and expendable services to its entire fleet.
• Cathay Pacific: Home carrier of Hong Kong renewed a multiyear agreement for consumable and expendable services
• Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. (EGAT): New multiyear agreement for comprehensive part coverage from Boeing’s network of global distribution centers to support EGAT’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations to several global airlines
• MRO HAECO: Expanded agreement for consumables and expendables parts support
• Xiamen Airlines: Three-year agreement for a tailored parts package to support its full fleet of Boeing Next Generation 737 and 787 Dreamliner airplanes
• KAEMS: Integrated inventory management solution agreement for consumables and expendables parts in support of growing MRO capability

The agreements allow airlines to focus on operations, not parts and inventory management.

In Asia-Pacific, new Boeing digital services deals include:

• Vistara: Indian joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, has an agreement for Maintenance Performance Toolbox and Airplane Health Management tools to support 787-9 aircraft
• Air Tahiti Nui: Multiyear agreement to access real-time maintenance and engineering data for its 787 fleet
• Bamboo Airways: Will integrate several digital solutions to support its 787 fleet, including Onboard Performance Tool capabilities to reduce maintenance costs, optimize payload capacity, and streamline cockpit operations

Boeing estimates the commercial services market, including business aviation and general aviation, in the Southeast Asia region will reach $3.4 billion throughout the next 20 years. http://www.boeing.com

Flight hour service offered for T700 helicopter engines

GE Aviation now offers TrueChoice Commercial Service programs for its T700 helicopter engines in Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks and commercial UH-60 Black Hawks.

Underpinned by GE’s data and analytic capabilities, TrueChoice Flight Hour service provides customized options for scheduled and unscheduled shop visits, spare engine availability, onsite and offsite training, and service bulletin and airworthiness directive coverage. https://www.ge.com/aviation

TT Electronics receives EASA Part 145 certification

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has awarded Part 145 Repair Station certification to TT Electronics’ Cleveland, Ohio, facility that testifies work conducted there meets the safety requirements set by the European Union.

EASA’s official approval allows TT’s Ohio facility to repair and certify parts from the EU that appear on the EASA capabilities list and complements the facility’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) repair station status under the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 145 for the maintenance, preventive maintenance, inspection, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft products. https://www.ttelectronics.com