14 minute read
Exhibitor Interviews
Anywhere, anytime Wherever the aircraft is, MASI can be there for repair
Aircraft on ground (AOG) services, meeting the emergency needs of the customer Stateside a costly blunder that requires a highly skilled professional response to get the aircraft back in the air and MASI delivers the aircraft for military customers, domestically and internationally such as the Israeli Air Force. Whatever or elsewhere in the world is a unique skillset MASI brings to the aviation sector. That part failure or inadvertent damage that can ground an aircraft is that. Few companies can rapidly deploy to a location almost anywhere on the planet to repair an aircraft whether it is civilian or military. For AOG, in 12 to 24 hours MASI personnel can be on-site and have the problem fixed. Among the wide range of aircraft types that MASI has served for almost three decades, the Lockheed Martin C-130 and the Boeing 707 are aircraft which MASI has taken special pride and honor in supporting. Both are US Military aircraft which after many decades in service have shown their strength, reliability, maintainability, and support data which makes these aircraft true winners and aircraft which deserve to be kept flying. For the workhorse of the air, the Boeing 707, MASI has repaired component part the military or civilian aircraft has the problem with, whether it is a flap or aileron, of metal or composite composition, MASI personnel have the
deep airframe and composite knowledge and skills to get the job accomplished. It is why MASI is so well known in the industry. MASI’s capabilities span from a simple panel to major control surfaces, nacelles, engine pylons and horizontal and vertical stabilizers. Our key specialty and most well known process and expertise, however, is wire mesh removal and replacement for the V2500-A5, CF680C2 translating sleeve and blocker doors supported by General Electric and Goodrich for the Airbus A320 and Boeing B767, B747 family. It is a key maintenance and repair area of expertise that the firm has practiced domestically and worldwide for many years. This is the range and depth of capabilities that MASI demonstrates on a daily basis to a wide number of customers from the military and civilian sectors which have maintained the company’s reputation for its product reliability and excellence in the domestic and international markets. Until two years ago, MASI was even carrying out repairs on aircraft in the Russian Federation. In 2021, MASI announced it had moved to its new state of the art repair and overhaul facility, located in Medley, Florida, USA. The new facility has a bigger, better floor layout for our direct industry and with a special layout for our future expansion into Component Sales, Accessories, APUs and OEM Manufacturing. ■
MASI
MASI is an FAA/EASA certified repair station focusing on high quality repair and overhaul of airframe and nacelle components fitted on commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. Its capabilities encompass repair for commercial, military, corporate and regional aircraft. The company’s extensive capabilities list is continuously added to, so customers are encouraged to inquire about the full range of competences. MASI has a wealth of knowledge and experience in everything related to the repair and overhaul of aircraft components. The company is committed to providing a variety of customers with quality and reliable repairs at competitive prices. ■
MASI specializes in the V2500 thrust converter
Jorge Sabido, Vice President of Sales and Business Development
When repair is as simple as touching a screen
Titan Robotics robots can program themselves
Industrial automation company Titan Robotics provides state-of-the-art flexible intelligent robotic solutions with robots that can program themselves. Users can simply outline on a touchscreen or use augmented reality glasses to point the robot to what needs to be done and the self-programming can begin. The process can also start by simply scanning the object and a digital twin model is then created with this state-of-the-art approach. The user can then pinpoint the work areas on the model and the robot takes care of the rest.
One example of Titan Robotics market leading solutions is radome composite repair. A robot is placed in front of the radome which is scanned and a 3D model is created. Areas that deviate from the required geometry are identified and the user simply uses the touch screen to select the areas that need to be rectified. A 3D laser projection of the work to be done can be overlaid on the radome and then once the self-programming is completed the user can watch the robot mill or sand the radome into the correct geometry.
Path planning software that determines how the robot will carry out the operation is another state-ofthe-art solution from Titan Robotics. The software is application agnostic so whether it is drilling, milling, sanding, or even x-ray technology, the scanning, modeling, pathfinding, or 3D laser projection onto work surface activities, all require minimal user involvement.
TITAN ROBOTICS INC
Titan Robotics, Inc. is a spinout from Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) developing flexible robotic systems for manufacturing and industrial applications. Titan Robotics was founded in 2014 to commercialize the award-winning technology developed at NREC for aerospace robotic applications. Today, Titan Robotics team is made of industry experts across robotic systems. Our team works with equipment suppliers to improve designs and push limits to bring proven technologies into new application spaces. The company’s engineering experience includes cutting edge modeling, path planning, machine vision, machine learning, industrial robotics and almost all other areas of advanced robotics. ■
Laser depainting an entire aircraft is equally easy with Titan Robotics solutions. Whether the robot system is mobile or fixed on a pedestal or gantry, laser depainting eliminates the need for the abrasive material that has previously been used to remove the paint. With laser depainting the hazardous materials are reduced from tons to less than 50 pounds. The industry expertise at Titan Robotics delivers cutting edge machine vision and machine learning to achieve the simplicity of operation for the user. The expertise goes beyond the software too, Titan Robotics’ engineering team is ready to build new solutions when necessary. Whatever the application, Titan Robotics state-of-theart solutions increase productivity and precision with digital twins and selfprogramming for any lean organization. ■
Easy-to-use controls make Titan Robotics systems a go-to solution
Machine learning means that Titan Robotics is always pushing the boundaries
Tested, certified and authenticated as world class
Mid-State Aerospace spells ‘world renowned’
Mid-State Aerospace is a leading supplier for world renowned brands such as Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, Cessna, Spirit Aerosystems, Bombardier Learjet, Aero Vodochody, Leonardo and Beechcraft. These world class companies come to Mid-State Aerospace because of its high quality standards. The fact that Mid-State Aerospace has been certified by ANAB Accredited, Perry Johnson Registrars, Performance Review Institute and Nadcap, demonstrates over and over the world class quality the company delivers. With Mid-State’s comprehensive quality control system, customers can be sure that each part they receive has been extensively tested, certified, authenticated, and is exactly what was needed to be ordered. As part of Mid-State’s extensive, tried and tested quality control system, every part undergoes a 40-point check before it is supplied. Mid-State Aerospace has Department of Defense (DOD) and Federal Aviation Administration approvals. Reliability is built into every hose supplied by the company. It is why Mid-State Aerospace is DOD-approved and listed on the applicable Government QPLs as a source for hose fittings. The company is also an FAA-approved hose assembly fabricator of the Parker Stratoflex family of products. Mid-State Aerospace also boasts the fact that it is the only Stratoflex hose shop certified to fabricate oxygen lines conforming to Stratoflex part number 124392-XCR-XXXX. As well as fabricating to the exacting standards of the DOD, FAA and market leading companies, MidState Aerospace can provide customized solutions. If a customer finds that what they need does not exist as an established product, Mid-State has customizable solutions available. Hose can be fabricated
MID-STATE AEROSPACE
Mid-State Aerospace’s mission to be the premier hose fabricator and solutions provider in the aerospace industry. Located in Olathe, Kansas, Mid-State Aerospace is a small, minority, woman-owned business that has been operating since 1983. It has one goal, getting customers the exact parts they need. The firm has the combined experience of more than 100 years with staff that understand a customer’s needs, parts, and equipment. This experienced team is ready to assist a customer with any project and fabricate whatever is needed to a high specification. The commitment to quality at Mid-State Aerospace is underline by the fact that the company is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D Certified. ■
to a company’s required specs in MidState’s certified in-house hose shop, making make sure that hose fits any unique needs. The expertise that Mid-State Aerospace brings allows it to get involved with manufacturing requirements at the earliest stages. Production times and efficiency can all be improved simultaneously. When it comes to hose, world class companies are sure that if it is from Mid-State Aerospace, it can be relied upon with the values of accuracy, reliability, and expertise allowing customers to focus on what they do best. When hose is ordered from MidState Aerospace, all long-standing and new customers know they have the right parts to fit their very specific needs, the Mid-State Aerospace certified technicians make sure of it. ■ “It’s been very busy. I’ve seen people very happy to be back, getting back to the normal of doing business. I’m excited to see that they’re bringing the buyers out and people are really purchasing product now. A lot of people making deals, we’ve got a lot of contacts right now, and what is good about this show is that people are actually coming back and following up to make sure they have the right contact information.”
It was a lively, enjoyable show for everyone at MEKCO
Technology without rival
Cutting edge technology today from Mekco
MEKCO Group Aviation is an Aircraft Interior Specialist, bringing over 30 years of experience with In-Flight Entertainment equipment repairs and service. MEKCO expanded to include galley equipment, cabin equipment, and has remained committed to evolving with New Technology offerings. Identifying the next natural evolution of the industry to focus on Wireless Technology, MEKCO Group established AirFi America; the exclusive AirFi Satellite in ALL the Americas. The platform continually performs with cutting edge technology for connectivity, to include In Seat Ordering with Real Time Credit Card Payments. The ONLY provider with the capabilities to do this TODAY! AirFi Wireless Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity systems deliver economical options and increase Ancillary Revenue for operators, while enhancing customer experience to the passengers.
MEKCO Group’s engineering department designs and builds proprietary test sets and tooling for products which OEMs no longer support or offer installations. MEKCO Group continues to support digital media and audio plug & play components, making MEKCO Group the choice for all your in-cabin needs.
The company has approved DER repair specifications for a variety of accessories and electronics, in addition to capabilities for PSUs, Digital Programmable Recorded Announcement Modules (PRAM), cockpit door surveillance systems (CDSS).
MEKCO AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
MEKCO Aircraft Maintenance offers unsurpassed services, in line maintenance and cabin equipment repairs and sales for a wide range of needs. The company also offers Overnight Service and Flight Engineers. MEKCO Aircraft Maintenance has over 20 years of experience with highly qualified personnel specialized in providing Line Maintenance Services in the commercial and private aviation industry. MEKCO Group holds certifications with FAA and EASA. The company is part of the Aircraft Maintenance Alliance Group, a network of MROs with over 20 years of experience with highly qualified personnel specialized in providing Line Maintenance Services in the commercial and private aviation industry, certifications include: FAA, EASA, DGAC, AFAC, AAC, ANAC.■
One of MEKCO’s strengths is building sets for items which OEMs no longer support
MEKCO Group is also specialized in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of components equipment for OEM equipment of Rockwell Collins, Panasonic, Lumexis, TEAC, and Sony, it is also the only approved repair facility in the US for Donica International equipment. The MEKCO Group repair facility has roots going back to AVICOM International, the pioneers of in-flight entertainment. As an additional enhancement to the product repairs MEKCO Group established SATTO Repair Center USA, repairing aircraft plastic and interior composite, bringing a complete solution to the electronic components and housings. SATTO Repair Center USA can repair all plastic and Interior composite components on all aircraft types, allowing for non CMM Repair processes.
MEKCO Group can also take an operator from proposal to installation under the MEKCO Aircraft Maintenance subsidiary. With over 30 years of IFE experience, our technicians can not only provide repairs on all OEM equipment, but via our MEKCO Aircraft Maintenance division, provide installations, modifications, A Checks, Daily Checks, and line maintenance services. ■
An award-winning vendor of the AirFi system
“I think the show was a great success, I think everybody was happy to be back out again seeing customers and vendors, face to face. It says a lot about our industry that we’re willing to get back after a two-year hiatus almost. I think it was good for everybody, not only on the vendors side, but the airlines are very receptive to meet with us again.”
FOKKER SERVICES
A Fokker Services engineer working on a hydraulic pump
Modernizing capabilities
Fokker Services is an independent aerospace service provider offering diverse solutions for various aircraft types all over the world. With over 100 years of aviation history, Fokker Services can offer tailor-made solutions and deliver world-class engineering capabilities, component and aircraft MRO, spare parts, modifications and more. Fokker Services’ portfolio of products and services is constantly growing. As well as its traditional bedrock of skills for a wide range of aircraft the company has been investing in new technology for the industry’s next generation. ■ Fokker Services brought its proven expertise in component MRO and modifications
Modernization is the key theme at Fokker Services, already a world leader in component MRO this program, Fokker Services maintains high control over turnaround times, costs, and reliability, which allows customers to offerings and the world of modifications. From avionics to hydraulics, pneumatics, power generation and more, Fokker Services can deliver when it comes to component MRO. This modernization took a great stride forward with the company’s ten year agreement with Honeywell Aerospace. This is for CFM International’s LEAP engine accessories and line replaceable units, and is an important step in widening Fokker Services’ offerings to next generation aircraft such as the Boeing 737 MAX. Fokker Services is an Authorized Service Center and Warranty Repair Shop for these components. For the Boeing 737NG, the company has just launched a new nose-to-tail component maintenance program. With more than 50% of the component MRO capabilities completed in-house for simplify their operations. Leveraging 30 years of nose-to-tail program experience, the team is offering flexible packages and focusing on fully controlling the complete supply chain. Where the modernization agenda touches upon multiple aircraft types – from the Fokker to CRJ, Dash 8 and more – is with streamlining operations and bringing more capabilities in-house. The recent investment in a state-ofthe-art Twin Wire Electric Arc Spray
robot allows the company to shrink its turnaround times for part repairs, bringing greater capabilities to the LaGrange facility in Georgia, USA. Craig Winter, Managing Director at Fokker Services Americas, said: “By restoring surfaces on a variety of hydraulic, pneumatic, flight control, and high-speed rotating components in our shop, we are taking control of the total restoration process.” For modifications, Fokker Services has developed its first SBAS Landing System (SLS) modification. Developed in close cooperation with ASL Airlines France for Boeing 737NG aircraft, this solution allows operators to conduct approach operations down to Localizer Performance (LP) or Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) minima. ■ “MRO has been very good, it’s the first show this year that everybody is back. It’s great to see so many colleagues, friends and customers again, all connecting, all being at the show. The excitement is all there, everyone is just happy to be back.” Leon Kouters, Vice President Sales & Marketing
