June recap - FL Technics monthly newsletter!
FL Technics
FL Technics is a global provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.
Special Content
Safely Transporting Aircraft Engines: Challenges and Solutions
Transporting aircraft engines is a meticulous process that requires expertise, specialized equipment, and careful planning. These powerful and delicate components demand utmost attention to ensure their safety and integrity throughout the transportation journey.
In this article, we delve into the challenges involved in transporting aircraft engines and the solutions employed to overcome them.
Size and Weight.
Aircraft engines are not only massive but also heavy, posing logistical challenges. Moving these engines demands the use of specialized equipment, including cranes, special forklift, and heavy-duty trucks.
Solution: Careful consideration and following engines’ manufacturer guidelines is required to ensure that the transportation vehicles can accommodate the engines’ size and weight. Proper handling procedures and equipment selection are key factors in addressing this challenge.
Fragility and Sensitivity.
Despite their robust construction, aircraft engines remain sensitive to external forces, shock, and vibration. Protecting them during transportation is paramount. Special engine transportation stands designed for each engine model and constructed from heavy cantilevered support structure to hold the engine in midair is a must for safe and secure engine moving from loading till delivery place.
Solution: Handlers employ careful loading technics with tie down procedures and cushioning materials to minimize the risk of any functional issues.
Cost.
Transporting aircraft engines can be an expensive endeavor due to their size, weight, and unique requirements. Customized packaging, specialized equipment, compliance with safety regulations, and adherence to security protocols contribute to the overall cost.
Solution: Companies involved in this process must strike a balance between safety measures and cost-effectiveness to ensure a successful transportation operation. A Freight Forwarder with huge network in aviation and aerospace logistics would help maintaining the costs under control choosing the best shipping mode and transit time via air or land transportation.
Security.
Aircraft engines are valuable and critical components. Ensuring their security is of utmost importance.
Solution: Transporters implement stringent security measure, including secure packaging, tracking systems, and adherence to established security protocols.
Considering obtaining appropriate insurance coverage for the engine during transit to protect against potential damage, loss, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Compliance and Documentation.
Transportation of aircraft engines involves compliance with various safety standard, customs requirements, and documentation procedures.
Navigating these regulatory frameworks demands expertise and attention to detail.
Solution: Freight forwarders and logistics teams work diligently to ensure all necessary permits, licenses, and paperwork are in order, ensuring a smooth and compliant transportation process. Having specialized personnel to help with airway bills, commercial invoices, packing lists, export license (if applicable),
and any other customs or shipping-related documents required is a must.
Environmental Consideration.
Aircraft engines may contain hazardous materials (HAZMAT), necessitating careful handling and transportation procedures. To prevent environmental contamination or harm, transporters adhere to strict guidelines for managing dangerous goods as per IATA.
Solution: Implementing appropriate safety measure, for hazmat to be shipped by air, there are specific procedures to be met. First, the shipper must meet their criteria, such as declaring the shipment as dangerous goods, properly completing the Dangerous Goods Declaration, and adequately preparing the shipment for transport by labeling aircraft engine outer packaging with appropriate labels. Then the cargo acceptance procedures are carefully enacted. Using the Dangerous Goods Checklist will make sure that what the shipper has submitted complies with the Dangerous Goods Regulations. Next, the operator must go over the Dangerous Goods Checklist and ensure all regulations are met within those guidelines.
International Logistics.
Transporting aircraft engines across international borders introduces additional complexities. Compliance with customs procedures, import/export regulations, and international aviation standards is paramount. Coordination with multiple stakeholders and meticulous adherence to each country’s requirements ensure a seamless cross-border transportation process.
Conclusion:
Transporting aircraft engines demands meticulous planning, adherence to safety and security protocols, and expertise in handling these valuable components. Addressing all these challenges above is crucial. With the right strategies, specialized equipment, and a commitment to improvements, freight forwarders can ensure the safe and efficient transportation of engines, supporting the aviation industry’s operations and growth.
Remember, every successful engine transportation operation relies on the collective efforts of skilled professionals who prioritize safety, precision, and compliance at every step of the journey.
If aircraft engines’ transportation is a burning task for you to handle, FL Technics Logistics can help you get an easier life and release you from the stress and pressure to organize the logistics for such important asset.
Contact Raimondo Gramaglia, our Head of Sales and Development for Logistics, at r.gramaglia@fltechnics.com to discover which ad-hoc logistics solutions suit better your case.
MRO BEER
Just as expected, attendees of the MRO BEER and counterparts from the MRO industry brought diverse prospects from every perspective. Yet, it is safe to say, we are all coming to the consensus – it is the People and their expertise gained through the years of studies, learning, practice, and work, that matters. It takes time, effort, and commitment. Though – well worth it.
On behalf of Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics, and our team who attended the MRO BEER – it was a time well spent, with numerous business opportunities and new projects discussed to develop the MRO industry in the region!
Be sure we will be following up each meeting shortly! And in the meantime – thank you to everyone who met us at the event and thanks Aviation Week Network events team for organizing the conference! We might be bringing our input to make it even more memorable next year! 😉
Recommended by LinkedIn
Capabilities
LINE MAINTENANCE
The summer aviation season is already picking up pace across the globe. Our line maintenance stations are also experiencing an increase in projects to support new and renewed routes.
One such route is the recently resumed Brussels Airlines direct flights from Vilnius to Brussels, and FL Technics is proud to be the chosen provider to maintain the operator's fleet of Airbus A320 FAM aircraft visiting Lithuania. In fact, it's a bit sentimental for us as the largest independent line maintenance network globally. It's always a pleasure to support clients and partners in FL Technics' country of origin.
DOA CELEBRATING TOGETHER WITH AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES
Long-lasting and sustainable partnership is rewarding. In such partnerships people and businesses get opportunities to share special occasions and milestones together.
Just last week, we had such an opportunity – to be a part in the celebration of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) which marks it’s 85th anniversary! Congratulations on this important milestone – let the skies be clear for all the teams in the organization!
FL Technics symbolically took part in this celebration as our DOA team delivered the livery project for the anniversary aircraft – a perfect example of commitment and trust between long-term partners, where we got the chance to provide our services not only on regular basis, but on such a special occasion as well. Our team was glad to be able to participate in this project and deliver it on time for the celebration event.
#azerbaijan #azerbaijanairlines #azal #airlines #doa #design #aircraftdesign #livery #celebratingsuccess #aviation #aircraftmaintenance
CAMO
FL Technics to support cross-continental redelivery project of Airbus A320 aircraft
FL Technics, a global independent maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) solutions provider, starts aircraft redelivery support project on behalf of Airbus, that will be led by FL Technics engineering team.
Leveraging capabilities and resources FL Technics will take care of a number of Airbus A320s scheduled for redelivery from a Chinese operator, with the view to facilitating a transition to an operator from another region, by the end of the year.
A comprehensive transition and CAMO services are planned, starting with records check and physical inspection to confirm the aircraft and its records condition comply with redelivery requirements and define further project scope.
Oleksandr Kulyk, Deputy CEO for Engineering at FL Technics, commented on the ongoing project: "Our engineering team under Grygorii Garkusha, Head of Technical Asset Management Unit supervision will manage, administer and deliver support services throughout every stage of this cross-continental delivery project involving not only relative specialists but knowledge, experience and know-how practice as well. We truly believe this partnership will be beneficial for both parties!”.
Aleksandra Belousova, VP commercial has also commented: “Being a global independent MRO with a vast and diversified portfolio of services including technical support and CAMO capabilities, opens global horizons of opportunities for our partners. This project is perfect proof of such a statement and our competence and capacity to work with such complex end-to-end operations, in this case providing support to Airbus.”
Commercial aircraft teardowns, what’s involved?
We will be sharing a special project in the next few weeks. Until then stay tuned and while you wait – get to know the complexity of the basics of the process itself.
Every aircraft teardown is a meticulous project that involves dismantling an aircraft to its core components, uncovering its hidden secrets, and unlocking valuable insights. While many aircraft models have undergone teardowns, there are instances where a specific model remains untouched, waiting to reveal its mysteries.
Let's delve into the steps we undertake:
✈ Undertaking an aircraft teardown for an unexplored model requires comprehensive research. Our team collaborates closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industry experts to obtain detailed technical documentation, maintenance manuals, and any available insights into the aircraft's construction, systems, and unique characteristics.
✈ Understanding the intricate components of an unexplored model is vital. Through meticulous study, we delve into each component, comprehending their identification, functionality, and interconnections within the overall structure. Leveraging our knowledge from similar aircraft models and collaborating with OEMs, we develop comprehensive insights into the aircraft's components and their relationships.
✈ Disassembling an aircraft that has never undergone a teardown requires utmost care and precision. We plan meticulously, document meticulously, and adhere strictly to established teardown best practices to preserve valuable components and maintain structural integrity throughout the disassembly process.
✈ Our team of engineers and structural experts meticulously evaluate the aircraft's structural elements as the disassembly progresses. Through detailed inspections and advanced testing methods such as finite element analysis (FEA) and non-destructive testing (NDT), in collaboration with structural engineering specialists, we assess load-bearing members, joints, and attachments. This evaluation ensures the safety and integrity of the aircraft during the teardown process.
✈ Obtaining certification for the teardown process of an unexplored model may present additional hurdles. Close collaboration with regulatory authorities and industry experts is crucial to ensure compliance with stringent safety standards and to establish new certification benchmarks.
By venturing into uncharted territory and successfully executing a teardown for an unexplored aircraft model, we gain invaluable knowledge that can shape future aircraft designs, enhance safety measures, and contribute to the continuous evolution of the aviation industry.
You might be eagerly awaiting the reveal of the aircraft we have been discussing. Stay tuned for our exciting news in the next few weeks, as we unveil the unexplored model we are about to embark upon.
FL Technics people
Celebrating a day of fun, values, and recognition!
We are delighted to share the resounding success of FL Technics' recent event a few weeks ago. With team members joining from the United Kingdom, Canada, Romania, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, it was a day filled with excitement and cherished memories!
A standout highlight of the occasion was the introduction of the FL Technics Values Game — an engaging activity that not only stimulated our minds but also fostered stronger bonds within our exceptional team. Through this unique experience, we proudly demonstrated our unwavering commitment to our shared values, showcasing the exceptional spirit and dedication that define FL Technics as a brand.
Furthermore, the event provided us with an opportunity to recognize and honor our exceptional employees with special loyalty awards. These accolades served as a testament to the remarkable achievements of those who have been with us for more than 5, 10, and 20 years, highlighting their steadfast dedication, trust, and loyalty. We deeply value their contributions and applaud their unwavering commitment to FL Technics.
As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, we endeavor to carry the energy and enthusiasm from this event into our day-to-day operations. Upholding our shared values, supporting one another, and striving for excellence in all endeavors will remain our unwavering focus. Together, we have the power to achieve greatness and solidify our position as the preferred choice for people, partners, and society at large.
Let’s create a future brimming with even more memorable moments as we continue to chart new heights together!
Giving back to local community
Kids from Care Homes and Day Care Centers Across Lithuania Unite for Yearly Charity Event in Vilnius!
Children from care homes and day care centers throughout the country came together for the annual charity event organized by the Vilnius International Club and LA Sisters. This year's event, hosted by the ambassador of Japan and sponsored by FL Technics and other companies, created a day filled with joy, unity, and unforgettable experiences. The event aimed to support underprivileged children, providing them with a memorable day and a brighter future.
Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of these children, fostering a sense of belonging and happiness.
We're looking forward to the next year's event!