I news I Global Aerospace CRJ/Dash-8 ACM Housing Saves Money


Mississauga, Canada-based Global Aerospace has designed a more permanent solution for the Hamilton Sundstrand 782790 series air cycle machine (ACM) housing challenge. This ACM unit is found on the CRJ 100/200, Q100/200/300 and Do-328 of which there are a combined 1,700 aircraft currently flying.


The ACM housing, which is made of magnesium, is exposed to


extreme hot and cold temperatures and is prone to cracking. One side of the housing is exposed to high pressures and temperatures and the other side is exposed to low pressures and temperatures. This disparity leads to contraction and expansion, which in turn, leads to cracking and high failure rates. Typically the turbine housing, once cracked, is scrapped and replaced.


The cost of doing that with a PMA magnesium housing adds $9,000- $10,000 to the total ACM overhaul cost. This replacement can double the overhaul cost. Global Aerospace has come up with a patent-pending solution utilizing a stainless steel housing they call “the dish.” This solution is substantially less expensive, adding only $4,200 to the overhaul cost. The dish is approved through the Transport Canada Repair Design Approval (RDA) process.


As an example, an operator with a fleet of 10 Q100 aircraft, removing four unserviceable ACMs per year, would realize 22.8 percent savings utilizing the ACM flat rate overhaul and “Dish” solution provided by Global Aerospace. “More savings can be realized by large fleet operators with economies of scale discounts. As much as 40 percent savings can be achieved,” says Scott Adams, general manager at Global Aerospace. And he adds, this is only the initial repair savings. With this repair, the Global Aerospace-designed dish is machined to fit and placed over the existing housing, which has been thoroughly prepped. “Global Aerospace completes the air cycle machine overhaul work on a firm, fixed rate, overhaul basis meaning the same price is paid at each overhaul event, regardless of condition. The dish repair is added to the flat rate cost, only when the housing is cracked,” says Adams. In addition, once the ACM is overhauled with the dish, Global


GKN to Develop Future Wing Technologies


GKN Aerospace has increased its participation with the ‘Clean Sky’ Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) recently, growing involvement with the development of a natural laminar flow (NLF) wing through both ground-based and flight demonstrators. GKN Aerospace is now taking NLF wing design and evaluation work, completed in phase one of Clean Sky, into the ‘phase two’ development of a ground-based structural systems demonstrator. The company is also set to design and manufacture major components of the NLF wing flight demonstrator, providing the metallic leading edge and composite upper cover for this innovative structure. GKN engineers will be investigating novel techniques and technologies to achieve a structure with


the right tolerances at the right price. The flight demonstrator platform will be an A340 with the outer third of the wing replaced with the NLF wing development sections. Flight tests are scheduled for 2014/2015. A fully NLF wing is considered to be one of the key developments to reduce drag in the next generation of aircraft and has the potential to provide 3-4 percent fuel savings, making this a vital technology to meet critical emissions targets. However an NLF wing is very different from a conventional wing and requires changes to wing architecture, aerofoil definition and detailed design and manufacturing concepts. The more slender sections and very high tolerance surface finishes and joints also present the industry with new challenges.


STS Aviation Debut’s on Inc.’s Fastest Growing List


Inc. magazine ranked STS Aviation Group No. 1657 on its fifth annual Inc. 500|5000, a ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list takes a look at an important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs. Online retailer ideeli tops this year’s list. STS Aviation Group joins Spirit Airlines, television maker Vizio, Honest Tea, Dunkin Donuts and Metrokane, makers of the Rabbit corkscrew, among other prominent brands featured on this year’s list. In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. By comparison, STS


Aviation Group experienced a 163 percent growth rate over the past three years. The companies on this year’s list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year. “Our entire team is so proud and excited to have been named to this year’s Inc. 500/5000 list,” says Philip Anson, Jr., president of STS Aviation Group. “As we continue to grow and diversify, we plan to focus on improving our position on this list even more in years to come.”


Aviation Maintenance | avm-mag.com | December 2011 / January 2012 11


Scott Adams, Global Aerospace general manager holds the stainless steel housing Global calls “the dish.”


Aerospace says the problem of the housing cracking is eliminated. This is due to the unique stainless steel design developed by Global Aerospace sister company Global Engineering Corp. The material is much more durable and not susceptible to the same cracking problem as the original magnesium housing. “So this will save you money, not only at the time of overhaul, but in the long run as well, as the dish will not crack going forward,” Adams adds. Adams says “customer response has been great and our ACM MRO program just had its best year. The dish was a major contributor to doubling the company’s ACM customer base in 2011.”


A cutaway of the air cycle machine showing the dish housing.


HEICO Listed as One of 100 Best Small Companies by Forbes


HEICO Corporation and today reported that Forbes Magazine has included HEICO as one of the 100 Best Small Companies in Forbes’ 2011 annual list of such businesses. This marks the 6th consecutive year HEICO has been included in the list of Forbes 200 Best Small Companies and the second year of HEICO’s inclusion in the top 100 List. “We are honored and pleased that Forbes has bestowed this recognition on our Company,” says Laurans A. Mendelson, HEICO’s Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer. “As in previous years, our outstanding team members continue to be the reason behind our success.”


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