Distributor for Airwolf Tension-Torsion Straps
Tension-Torsion Straps are a flight critical component found in the main rotor hub of a variety of Bell and Enstrom helicopters. Airwolf Aerospace is an industry leader in offering superior aftermarket straps, boasting extended calendar life retirement intervals (36 month).
AAE is excited to announce that we have become a distributor for these products and stock is on the shelf!
Engineering Manager Adam Johnston said “Supporting our local helicopter customers has always been a focus for AAE, and partnering with Airwolf to supply TT straps is yet another significant step in this direction. We now have stock on hand and we look forward to supporting operators and maintainers across Australia”.
Airwolf straps are approved and available for the following aircraft models:
- Bell 206A, 206B, 206B-1, (206B3) 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, OH-58A, OH-58A+, OH-58C
- Bell 204B, Bell 205A, Bell 205A-1, Bell 205B,Bell 205FRG, Bell 205 GRC, Bell 210, Bell 212, Bell 212IAF, Bell HH-1N, UH-1B, UH-1C, UH-1D, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1HR5, CUH-1N, UH-1N, HH-1N
- Enstrom F28 & 280 Helicopters
Approvals for these straps include:
- FAA STC/ PMA, Transport Canada STC, EASA STC, ANAC Brazil STC
Further product details can be found directly at www.airwolfaerospace.com/awa/products
For pricing and stock holding information, please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or email adam@austaerospace.com.
Certified to AS9100D, AS9110C and AS9120B
On the 19th of September 2017, Australian Aerospace Engineering became the first company in Australia to be certified to the latest revisions of all three AS9100 Aerospace Standards. These standards represent the highest level of the quality manangement across MRO, manufacturing and parts distribution services. A full article describing AAE’s recent achievement is presented through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website.
For further information on AAE’s certifications and service offerings, please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or email adam@austaerospace.com.
AAE eStore | Aerospace Hardware & Supplies
To compliment the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities that Australian Aerospace Engineering Pty Ltd (AAE) offers, AAE has become a stocking distributor of aerospace hardware and supplies. AAE’s offering is supported through Monroe Aerospace, one of the largest stocking distributors of aircraft hardware in the USA.
Engineering and sales manager Viv Johnston said “the idea of becoming a stocking distributor of aircraft hardware was birthed from the difficulty we experience in getting local stock for our MRO activities. We’ve learned that this is a challenge experienced by other Australian MRO’s and aircraft operators, and so we’ve decided to meet the need”.
The hardware product offering is hosted on a new eCommerce website (AAE eStore) allowing customers to view the current stock holding both locally and in the USA, as well as the relevant tier based price. The site was launched in April 2017 and represents a significant milestone in a long and complex process of establishing an efficient and relevant hardware store in Australia.
Director and CEO Colin Johnston said “our approach to the hardware business is unique in that we are offering customers an efficient digital means of researching, buying and monitoring delivery of aircraft fasteners and supplies across Australia”. Having recently achieved our CASA Part 145 approval for our MRO operations, we are excited to further expand our service and product offering to Defence and industry with the AAE eStore, Colin said.
One of AAE’s early successes has been becoming a preferred supplier to a local Defence prime. “I was fortunate enough to visit the facility of a local Defence prime, and when they learned of our hardware offering they quickly engaged AAE to supply their aerospace fasteners and electrical components,” said Viv. That’s the interesting and motivating part about supplying these products; you become a small part of a much bigger story, and we are looking forward to working with Defence and industry into the future, said Viv.
CASA Part 145 Approved
On the 28th February during the Avalon Airshow, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved Australian Aerospace Engineering Pty Ltd (AAE) as a Part 145 helicopter MRO organisation. This approval is a significant step beyond the CASA 1988 CAR30 regulations, demanding uncompromising quality, competency and attention to detail across all facets of the business. AAE is only the second company in Australia to be recognised as compliant to Part 145 for helicopter MRO, and this feat was recognised personally by Defence Minister Marise Payne who congratulated the team at AAE’s stand.
Director and CEO Colin Johnston said “This is a significant milestone for the company that will provide assurance to both Defence and industry that our resolve is to provide the best MRO service in the country”. We now have the highest level of certification possible for helicopter MRO in Australia, Colin said.
AAE was exhibiting at Avalon within the NSW Industry stand, helping to promote visibility and credibility of the strong regional aerospace capabilities in NSW. Industry Minister Niall Blair recently launched a new Defence industry initiative, stating “This detailed strategy will provide a coordinated, whole of government approach to prioritise the defence sector as a key driver of growth and innovation across industry, especially in regional NSW”. AAE is looking to partner with this vision and connect with the many exciting defence programs that are in progress.
During the Avalon Airshow AAE also partook in the Innovation Pitchfest forum and Aerospace Environmental Working Group (AEWG) conference. Engineering and Sales manager, Viv Johnston presented at both events on ‘Mission Specific’ composite main rotor blades, and was awarded the Best Presenter for the Pitchfest. “The Pitchfest and AEWG conference were valuable forums to voice our ideas on blades for manned and unmanned rotary wing platforms. We are now in constructive and promising discussions with a number of companies on furthering these ideas into viable technologies,” said Viv. Congratulations to Steven Weiderman from the University of Adelaide for winning the ‘Best Overall Presentation’ on Nature’s Drones, and Deanne Watkins from StopRotor Technology who won the ‘Best Innovation – Aerospace’ award.
The Australian Defence Magazine has issued an article on AAE’s achievements during the Avalon Airshow in Issue 435.
For further information on AAE’s MRO certifications and service offerings, please contact Adam Johnston on (02) 60262614 or email adam@austaerospace.com.
Innovation Awards
Australian Aerospace Engineering (AAE) is proud to announce that the company has been short listed for the prestigious 2017 Aerospace Australia Limited Industry Innovation Awards. For over a decade AAE has been working on improving the performance of existing rotary wing platforms through refined main rotor blade design. In doing so the company has developed the software and hardware tools required to rapidly transition new blade concepts into flying prototypes, opening the possibility of producing multiple blade types for a given platform.
“The concept of Mission Specific Blades (MSB) is in stark contrast to the traditional design philosophy of producing a single blade type that is a ‘best fit’ for all mission requirements”, said project engineer Viv Johnston. “The understanding of rotary wing aerodynamics has largely matured and to continue pushing the performance envelope we need to change our thinking. One approach is to design blades for specific missions, and we’ve proven that this approach has considerable merit. A parallel can be drawn from motor racing where competitive performance can be a sole function of tyre selection,” said Viv.
Drawing on the experiences from the core business as a structural repair and MRO facility, AAE has developed a methodology to achieve timely blade installations. “Expeditiously hot swapping blades can realistically be achieved through initial quality control of manufacture and after-manufacture balancing methodologies, before installation on a given aircraft,” said Managing Director and CEO, Colin Johnston. “This concept provides the opportunity for the end-user to unhitch from the original OEM in pursuit of a unique performance characteristic, and we are proud to have been short listed for the innovation award within the Defence Industry SME Innovation category,” said Colin. Details of the announcement can be found through the Australian Defence Magazine website.
AAE will have a presence this year at the Avalon Airshow (stand 2G6) within the NSW Department of Industry exhibit. The company will also be partaking in the innovation pitch fest to present a 3 minute overview of the MSB concept.
We hope to see you at Avalon 2017!
For further information on AAE’s blade research, please contact Viv Johnston on (02) 60262614 or email viv@austaerospace.com.