So how much can airlines save by using PMA parts?
Wencor puts the saving at 30-50% of the OEM price,
depending upon the part. Adamson says “A major airline
can save well over $10 million a year using our PMAs.
These are not trivial numbers.”
PMA around the globe
Is Wencor looking at other regions? It sure is. Coleman
says “We’ve spent a lot of time at conferences in
Asia educating airlines and MROs about PMA. And
in those conferences we’ve brought DERs and FAA
representatives to help us explain the PMA process.
Those conferences have been going on for 4-5 years and
Keith Coleman - VP, PMA Sales Dave Ashton - Director, Engineering
that’s helped to bring down the misunderstandings. In
continues “We have a very well established and addition the difficult economic times that these regions
knowledgeable engineering team. We also do some of are going through have also helped them to dedicate
our own manufacturing which many PMA companies the resources necessary to identify PMA potential and
don’t. It’s the maturity level of the organization that gives incorporate it into their system.”
the FAA the confidence to say ‘We trust you to represent Education has been beneficial. He adds “There were
the FAA within your organization.’” misunderstandings related to bilateral agreements
PMA suppliers have historically focused on engines regarding FAA PMA as well as misinformation surrounding
and accessory components. But are there opportunities warranties coming from the OEMs. Airlines did not realize
elsewhere? Coleman says “We’re spending more time that their own regulatory authority already allowed the use
looking at avionics and electrical systems, interiors and of PMA within their own region”
other non-mechanical areas. But we’re also looking at the Adamson backs this up. “We’ve spent a lot of time over
newer generation fleet types where we’re focusing within these past five years doing PMA educational conferences
our traditional areas of expertise to expand our offering – some in Asia and some in Europe – but we’re finding
on similar components (such as IDGs, starters, air cycle that there’s still a lot of misinformation in the market,
machines, etc), that are beginning to age.” such as that PMA parts are not as good as those from the
OEMs; but we’re dispelling that and the fact that Pratt &
Whitney got in the market of PMAing GE’s parts a while
back has helped acceptance in the market.
“The challenge we’re facing now is to get top
management at a lot of foreign carriers to have PMA
programs internally so that engineers are on-board in
terms of approving PMAs - that they see that as an
advantage to their business - that they have quality
people that understand PMAs. We think the educational
process is key as regions become attuned to the PMA
savings available. We’re going to be very aggressive in
educating the marketplace.”
Aerostrategy has predicted that the PMA market
will grow from about $380 million to $680 million a
year, over the next five years. About 60% of the costs
of maintaining aircraft components are parts related.
Savings are going to come from parts, not from labor.
Even the OEMs are buying.
Adamson says “We have many examples of where
OEMs have purchased from us. We believe that
occurs where they are having their own internal supply
problems. It’s interesting that they have that confidence
level in PMA because their MRO facilities purchase from
us as well.
“We’re investing our profits back into our PMA business.
We intend to maintain a leadership position in the market.
As the market doubles, we’ll have to double as well. We’re
going to be aggressive on our growth strategy.”
AM
16 Aviation Maintenance |
avmain-mag.com | December 2009/January 2010
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