ENGINELIFE NEWS CUSTOMER S VIEWPOINT AIRCRAFT ENGINES ENGINELIFE NEWS

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "ENGINELIFE NEWS CUSTOMER S VIEWPOINT AIRCRAFT ENGINES ENGINELIFE NEWS"

Alban Bailey
6 years ago
Views:

1 July, 2016 ENGINELIFE TRENDS INNOVATIONS TECHNOLOGIES JOB CORNER 08 NEWS CUSTOMER S VIEWPOINT QUICK NEWS AIRCRAFT ENGINES ENGINELIFE NEWS

2 TRENDS ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT: A TOTAL APPROACH Despite the recent drop in the price of oil, fuel consumption is still a major challenge for airlines. Safran Aircraft Engines SFCO 2 service, designed to reduce this cost line by 1 to 5% a year, has already won over Ethiopian Airlines. 25 to 30% - that s the share of fuel in airlines overall operating costs. This figure has seen a mathematical drop in recent months, as jet fuel prices have spiraled down. But airlines are still on the lookout for any way to limit these costs. As Jean-Thomas Rey, services marketing manager at Safran Aircraft Engines, explains, By reducing this expense, airlines increase earnings that can be spent on new airplanes. However, some carriers are predicting that oil prices will climb back up, so they re setting up fuel savings programs. And no matter how much a barrel of oil costs, fuel consumption is directly linked to CO 2 emissions, which is another good reason to limit fuel burn. July 2016 // 08

3 1 kilo of fuel burned = 3.15 kg of CO 2 emitted (7 lb) 25 to 30% the share of fuel in an airline s operating costs. 1 to 5% reduction in the annual fuel bill, pthanks to SFCO 2 services * Développés et commercialisés par CFM International, société 50/50 de Safran Aircraft Engines et GE. ENGINELIFE NEWS

4 Custom-tailored support Ethiopian Airlines has found a solution to this dual economic and environmental challenge: SFCO 2. This new service, developed jointly by Safran Aircraft Engines and Safran Electronics & Defense is based on optimizing flight operations and deploying best practices. By combining our expertise as engine OEM with Safran Electronics & Defense s proven skills in flight data analysis, we offer customers a comprehensive solution that accounts for all potential savings, including fuel and maintenance costs, and more, explains Max Moutoussamy, seasoned pilot and head of the SFCO 2 program at Safran Aircraft Engines. Pilots The contract with Ethiopian Airlines, signed in May 2016, provides for an initial evaluation phase to collect all the data concerning fuel consumption. Some 70 to 80 percent of the best practices we recommend are related to how pilots operate their aircraft, notes Max Moutoussamy. But we integrate other factors as well, including actions by ground and flight crews and maintenance procedures. We then deliver personalized recommendations to the airline, which can measure its progress and identify remaining potential savings using a special Web-based application. Ethiopian Airlines already operates 787s and has ordered A350s, along with 737 MAX twinjets powered by the LEAP-1B engine. With these newgeneration planes, Ethiopian is clearly staking out a position as a thoroughly modern carrier that wants to cut fuel use. And the contract we signed with them is obviously in line with this commitment. July 2016 // 08

5 INNOVATIONS WELCOME TO TRAINING 2.0 With new engines come new trainings In preparation for the service entry of the LEAP engine, Safran Aircraft Engines Customer Training Center (CTC) has totally revamped its teaching approach and tools. Augmented reality, simulators, 3D virtual engines The Customer Training Center (CTC) in Montereau, near Paris, is deploying Training 2.0 to gear up for the advent of new engines and address our customers changing needs. The focus is of course on digital technology, with state-of-the-art connected devices such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, etc. These devices stimulate communication between the instructor and students, since they can be used to zoom in on a specific area, annotate training materials, personalize exercises, etc. We have a two-pronged objective, says Pascal Retif, head of the CTC, to emphasize the acquisition of skills rather than transmitting knowledge, and to improve retention rates. Teaching methods have also changed, with approaches such as blended learning, where the method changes every half hour to keep students alert. ENGINELIFE NEWS

6 International deployment These tools have been operational since April 2016, right on time to start training the launch customers for the LEAP-1A-powered A320neo. Different learning modules for the three versions of LEAP will be gradually rolled out for use at all CFM training centers: at GE in Cincinnati, at CFMAESSA in Hyderabad, India, and eventually in China. The next step is the opening in 2017 of a learning management system platform, explains Caroline Tirel, Support team manager at CTC. It will give our customers access to our training catalog, and let them register online, as well as using e-learning modules to learn at their own pace and test their knowledge, or even define customized training programs. July 2016 // 08

7 Digital devices stimulate communication between the instructor and students. ENGINELIFE NEWS

8 TECHNOLOGIES BRUSSELS READY FOR THE LEAP-1A The first LEAP-1A engines will be starting revenue service this summer. SSB, a Safran Aircraft Engines shop located at the Zaventem-Brussels Airport, will be ready to give airlines all the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services they need. After a stringent qualification process, SSB is going to be the first shop accredited to service the LEAP-1A engine in Safran Aircraft Engines geographic zone. The company has the same scope of action as on the CFM56, for which it performs MRO services, as well as combustor maintenance and repairs. We re ready to offer our customers a complete solution, including shop visits, says Bruno Michel, General Manager of SSB. But we can also provide more limited services on engines that have been removed, called quick turns in our jargon. Everything needed SSB had to work for nearly two years to get ready for the LEAP- 1A, including a site reorganization, installation of a dedicated maintenance line, the acquisition of the necessary tools, a redefinition of MRO processes and investment in machinery and July 2016 // 08

9 equipment adapted to the size and materials of the new engine (composite fan blades and case, titaniumaluminide low-pressure turbine blades, etc.). As the engine gears up for service entry, several operators have undergone training at both Safran Aircraft Engines and GE facilities to handle the modules under their responsibility. We re gradually ramping up our capabilities so our mechanics are ready to handle both engine families, CFM56 and LEAP, says Bruno Michel. SSB will be the core LEAP-1A support shop for Safran Aircraft Engines, then share its expertise with other shops in the network starting in We re gradually ramping up our capabilities so our mechanics are ready to handle both engine families, CFM56 and LEAP. ENGINELIFE NEWS

10 JOB CORNER FAN BLADE REPAIR: COMBINING QUALITY AND TAT Every year Safran Aircraft Engines fan blade repair unit repairs some 12,000 blades, while delivering impeccable quality, a quick response and flawless customer support. Here we take a closer look at the keys to top quality and fast turnaround times (TAT). The fan blade repair unit is located at our Saint-Quentin- en- Yvelines plant in the Paris suburbs, dedicated to the maintenance of commercial engines. It handles repair blades for all versions of the CFM56 and is gearing up for the service entry of the new LEAP engine. We mainly work for shops in the Safran Aircraft Engines MRO network, thirdparty shops and directly for airlines, such as Air France, TAP Portugal and Turkish Airlines, explains Olivier Lagier, head of the unit. There are about 60 permanent employees, spanning operators, inspectors, technical support, and sales and administrative staff. This work demands state-of-theart skills in several areas, including thermal projection, welding, fitting, stripping, etc. July 2016 // 08

Customers first! The fan blade repair unit recently conducted a transformation initiative based on Lean-Sigma precepts, now the industry benchmark, to maximize customer satisfaction.

That shortened our cycles by over 30 percent, placing us on a par with the world leaders in terms of turnaround time, or TAT.

11 Customers first! The fan blade repair unit recently conducted a transformation initiative based on Lean-Sigma precepts, now the industry benchmark, to maximize customer satisfaction. We invested in new repair machinery, changed our batch sizes, introduced training plans and reorganized our management approach to enhance efficiency, says Olivier Lagier. That shortened our cycles by over 30 percent, placing us on a par with the world leaders in terms of turnaround time, or TAT. Furthermore, our close collaboration with Safran Aircraft Engines design department helps us post the lowest scrap rates in the industry, a guarantee of substantial savings for our customers. Over and above these improvements, quality is still the unit s top priority. It also offers customers standard replacements, of course, and very responsive technical support. We re fully prepared to support our customers with world-class performance in terms of quality, cost, deadlines and service, notes Olivier Lagier. Olivier Lagier, head of the fan blade repair unit. ENGINELIFE NEWS

12 CUSTOMER S VIEWPOINT Elodie Reytérou, Low-pressure module logistics manager, Air France Industries You renewed your contract with Safran Aircraft Engines fan blade repair unit for three years in 2015 what convinced you? The unit is our legacy subcontractor for CFM56-5A, -5B and -5C engines, and we re very satisfied with the relationship we ve built up over the years. In addition to meeting all contractual performance specifications for these repairs, the unit has also demonstrated its ability to very quickly provide standard exchange for fan blades sets, and they also deliver excellent customer support. Furthermore, because we re located very close to each other, there s a daily shuttle, even further increasing their responsiveness when needed. Those are the factors that influenced our decision last year. July 2016 // 08

What changes have you noticed following the unit s transformation? For fan blades sets, I ve seen a TAT reduction of two days for the -5A and -5C, and about ten days for the -5B.

13 What changes have you noticed following the unit s transformation? For fan blades sets, I ve seen a TAT reduction of two days for the -5A and -5C, and about ten days for the -5B. The size of my spare parts inventories is determined by suppliers turn times, so that allowed me to keep the same level of stocks, while the fleet under management was growing. How do you see the next step in your collaboration? We re satisfied with the unit s performance, availability and responsiveness, so there s no reason not to continue working together. We haven t transitioned to the LEAP yet, but when the time comes, naturally we ll be talking to Safran Aircraft Engines. ENGINELIFE NEWS

14 QUICK NEWS Towards a joint repair company with AFI KLM E&M A repair process at Châtellerault plant. Safran Aircraft Engines and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (Air France KLM group) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the creation of a joint venture dedicated to the repair of blades on aircraft engine high pressure compressors. The new company s scope of business will encompass the CFM56, GE90 and GP7200 engines. The company itself will be located near Valenciennes in northern France, and operations will kick off in 2018, significantly growing Safran s repair capabilities on the core section of aircraft engines. July 2016 // 08

15 Training Center trains on-site maintenance teams at LEAP plant LSafran Aircraft Engines Training Center provided training for the company s EMOS (Engine Maintenance On Site) technicians, giving them access to a real LEAP-1A engine so they could practice the operations they will be handling daily. Based in France and international markets, EMOS teams provide local technical assistance in case of emergencies (both on-wing and off-wing engine servicing), and for scheduled maintenance (replacing life-limited parts, for instance). They will be ready to jump into action as soon as the first engine enter service. CONTACT Pascal Rétif, Customer training center manager // pascal.retif@safrangroup.com ENGINELIFE NEWS

16 First airlines trained on the LEAP-1A Customer training on the LEAP-1A engine has already kicked off at Safran Aircraft Engines Customer Training Center (CTC): representatives of Turkish carrier Pegasus took an initial training course in April called, Powerplant Line and Base Maintenance LEAP. The CTC has also trained crews from the Scandinavian airline SAS, as well as the leasing company SES. Pegasus and SAS are among the first airlines to welcome the LEAP-1A-powered A320neo into their fleets. Safran s enriches core expertise with OptiClimb Safran and French startup Safety Line have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to group their expertise and technologies to help airlines. Safety Line s innovative OptiClimb solution will be folded into Safran s SFCO 2 service. This comprehensive solution allows airlines to reduce their fuel consumption up to 8%. On a fleet of 20 single-aisle commercial jets, for instance, flying 3,500 hours/year on average, that represents annual savings of $6 million, and reduces CO 2 emissions by over 42 tons. July 2016 // 08

17 DIARY Meet our teams at these upcoming events Farnborough International Airshow July 11-15, Farnborough IATA ACC conference August 30-31, Geneva IATA MCC conference September 14-15, Bangkok Aero Engines Europe conference September 14-15, Lisbon MRO Asia September 27-29, Singapore MRO Europe October 18-20, Amsterdam MRO OPS IT Asia October 26-27, Bangkok ENGINELIFE NEWS

18 Publication director: Nathalie Lankry-Parienté Editorial committee: Pierre Schroer, Salomon Serfaty, Jean- Thomas Rey, Philippe Alassoeur, Isabelle Pierrat, Nathalie Delangue, Magali Hermet, Pascal Piveteau Editor-in-chief: Jean-Pierre Alesi Design: Ghislaine Plougastel Editor: Alexia Attali Photos: E. Drouin/Safran ; Capa, DR Legal registration: July 2016 ISSN No.:

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. The passion for perfection. MTU Maintenance Zhuhai An MTU Aero Engines Company

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. The passion for perfection. MTU Maintenance Zhuhai An MTU Aero Engines Company MTU Maintenance Zhuhai The passion for perfection MTU Maintenance Zhuhai An MTU Aero Engines Company MTU_Standort_Brosch_Zhuhai_2009_01.qxd Center of excellence in Asia 13.11.2009 14:02 Uhr Seite 2 MTU