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The article discusses the potential of a reengined version of the Airbus A330 aircraft, called the A330neo, focusing on airlines' demand and manufacturer Airbus' hesitancy to develop it as of February 2014. Topics include airline Air Asia X and others' lobbying for the new engine technology, the success of similar reengining projects such as the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX, and engine makers General Electric and Rolls-Royce.

The article offers information on the economic aspects of airplane engine service market in the U.S. Topics discussed include views of Leo Koppers of commercial engine solution provider MTU Maintenance reflecting on GP7000 and GE90 Growth as the fastest growing engine programs, views of Mark Eldred of United Technical Operations on engine overhauls and views on Ghislaine Doukhan of aircraft manufacturer Snecma.

The article discusses demand for a potential new engine option (neo) version of the Airbus A330 airplane, focusing on growing support for the project as of March 24, 2014. Topics include the endorsement of the ideas by U.S. aircraft lessor CIT Aerospace, the lack of official consideration of the option by aircraft manufacturer Airbus, and details of the effects the reengining process would have.

The article discusses the expected growth of the commercial aircraft turbine engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market for 2014 to 2023. Topics addressed include shop visits in large quantities by the CFM56-5B, CFM56-7B and IAE V2500 engines, the prospects for the widebody aircraft engines Rolls-Royce 700 and General Electric CF6-80E1, and airlines' exchange of their engines for those with more on-wing life. The value of the 2014 engine MRO market according to region is also cited.

The article presents aircraft and airline industry forecasting related to spending on aircraft motor overhauling. Relatively flat spending by airlines on maintenance of jet engines in 2013-2015 is predicted. It is forecast that U.S. airlines will spend more on engine overhauling than the airlines of any other country or region.

The article discusses how certain trends have changed the way in which airlines want to maintain auxiliary power units (APU). One trend is a reducing APU operating time to conserve fuel while another is the installation of ground systems. Reducing operating time increases the ratio of cycles to hours and this indicates that overhauls are more extensive. But airlines now have a choice on APU maintenance. Because these power units are deferrable maintenance items, timing of repair is also a choice.

The article focuses on changes in the structure of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). Today, both airframe and engine original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are becoming service integrators, engaging in maintenance services themselves, often in partnerships with airline and independent MRO. Engine OEM can generate half or more of their revenues from maintaining and fixing engines.

The article reports on an aftermarket services program for airlines operating aircraft, called SelectCare, launched by aero engines maker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. in an attempt to increase its share of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services segment. SelectCare is being pitched as an additional services option to its comprehensive TotalCare offering and the more basic MRO Services package.

The article focuses on the aircraft industry company Turkish Technic. The company's use of computer networks to manage its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations is examined, particularly its merging of various information technologies including radio frequency identification (RFID), sensor networks and graphical user interfaces (GFI).

The article focuses on the approach of lean manufacturing in the overhaul of engines among airline companies. It states that engine overhaul providers use lean production to cut cost and improve efficiency. It highlights that Lean has been adopted by engine shops as it improves efficiency in many ways. The move of several airlines to use the idea of Lean is also addressed.

This section offers news briefs related to aircraft engine overhaul and maintenance industry. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have been added by CFM International to its TRUEngine program that was launched on July 2008. An overhault agreement was signed between Lufthansa Technik and Norwegian Air Shuttle that covers more than 100 CFM56-7Bs that power the Norwegian Air Shuttle's current and future fleet of Boeing 737-800s. An EcoPower engine wash deal was made by Pratt & Whitney with the U.S. Air Force.

A correction to the article "Finnoff PC-12 Upgrade" published in an issue of the periodical "Business & Commercial Aviation" is presented.

An interview with Greg Young, president and general manager of Texas Aero Engine Services Ltd. (TAESL), is presented. When asked about the state of the market for Rolls-Royce RB211 and Trent 800 engines, he states that there was not significant change in aircraft utilization. He discloses the number of overhauls his company completes each year. He also talks about the possibility of investing in new engine capabilities.

The author discusses the challenges facing the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry. Some of these challenges are, operating in recession, market demands to reduce airframe costs while at the same time increasing operational efficiency, lowering maintenance requirements and reducing environmental impact. It is vital for the future success of aviation as a whole that companies efficiently identify and exploit all performance gains, whether in process or technology, at every level.

This article traces the history of Beech Super 18 which served as the original cabin-class twin plane of the American industry in the 1950s and early 1960s. The Twin Beech development program began in the mid-1930s with military service in mind. During World War II, the Model 18 underwent a substantial upgrade by incorporating Pratt & Whitney's new 450-horsepower (hp) R-985 Wasp Jr. engines. Today prices start at about $80,000 for a Super 18, depending upon condition. Late 1966 H18 models start at $100,000.

Charts are presented which show the 10 most commonly operated engine types in the commercial aviation industry in China and India as well as the number of engine overhaul expected on each type of engine.

The article reports on the upgrade of the engine of the King Air B200 aircraft by Blackhawk Modifications. The package installed by Blackhawk is said to increase the aircraft's takeoff, climb and cruise performance, giving it the ability to cruise at speeds up to 305 knots. Results of the upgrade are better efficiency and higher thermodynamic horsepower rating.

The article reports that Snecma Services will overhaul high pressure aircraft turbine engines. The company will overhaul high pressure turbine models on Larzac engines for the SMA aircraft maintenance department of the French Defence Ministry.

The article reports on the celebration of the fifth year of operation of Singapore Aero Engine Services Ltd. (SAESL) in January 2007. During that time, SAESL, a joint venture between SIA Engineering Co., Rolls-Royce and Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd., has overhauled 500 Rolls-Royce Trent engines.

The article reports on an aircraft motor repair contract received by Pratt & Whitney Corp. from the U.S. Navy in 2007. Under the contract, Pratt & Whitney will repair 11 line items used on the J52 engine that powers EA-6B aircraft. Pratt & Whitney also will provide manufacturing, engineering and technical support to the Naval Aviation Depot Jacksonville. Work should be finished by July 2008.

The article reports that General Electric Aircraft Engines received a $189.2 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract from the U.S. Navy in 2007. Under the contract, the company will overhaul and repair the entire T700 family of engines for the Army. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas, and is expected to be completed by December 30.

The article reports on an approval received by Bedek Aviation Group from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in 2007 to repair and overhaul CFM International CFM56-7B aircraft engines. Bedek noted the certification brings the company closer to servicing all CFM56 engine types. Its goal is to win the approval to offer maintenance for CFM56-5 engines by yearend.

The article reports on the growing interest of Citation operators in the re-engining program for Cessna light jets. Texas-based Sierra Industries received a supplemental type certificate for the Stallion, a Citation 500/501SP that features Williams FJ44-2A engines and the thinner, classic wing of the Citation I. Mark Huffstutler of Sierra said that they offer Stallion owners a choice in overhauling their plane's engine.

The article discusses the upgrade of AlliedSignal TFE731-3 aircraft engines. Reacting to shortcomings, AlliedSignal commissioned a series of independent market studies to determine the feasibility of a Falcon 50 engine upgrade. The surveys indicated that operators would welcome a performance boost. The engine offered a significant boost in hot-and-high performance and could be installed in the existing Falcon 50 engine nacelles with only minor modifications.

The article features an aircraft engine modification developed by Murray Aviation in 2006. This modification replaces Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6As in King Air C90s and E90s with a pair of bull-moose Honeywell TPE331-10s and two five-blade McCauley propellers. Murray has turned out three conversions to date and can do a mod in about two weeks at locations in Florida and Michigan.