Craig Winter
Managing Director at Fokker Services Americas
MRO Management Magazine, Volume 24 Issue 3, April 2022
Expanding Reach: Component Repairs for the Boeing 737 Family
Craig Winter, Managing Director at Fokker Services Americas, spoke with MRO Management Magazine about what it takes to provide high-quality component repairs for Boeing 737 operators. This includes capabilities covering LEAP engine accessories and line replaceable units (LRUs), pneumatic valves, and more for the 737 Classic, 737NG, and 737 MAX.
Read the full MRO Management Magazine article on page 40 and extracts below.
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Can you describe Fokker Services’ strategy with 737 Maintenance?
"Our vision with Boeing 737 maintenance is to expand our reach through the different aircraft variants, supporting legacy to modern 737 aircraft. From the 737 Classic to the 737NG and 737 MAX, today we serve all these platforms with our ever-expanding component repairs capabilities, which enable us in our strategy to move to full nose-to-tail platform support of the 737NG.
To enhance the development of our in-house avionics, power generation and pneumatics repair capabilities, we analyze our current capabilities to see where key learnings can be transferred to new solutions. For example, we have supported Boeing 737NG CFM 56 engine accessories for years. When we began designing new capabilities for the LEAP, we applied our extensive operations and engineering experience from the CFM 56.
Another important element is our partnerships with major OEMs. Last year we signed a ten-year repair license agreement with Honeywell Aerospace for LEAP engine accessories and LRUs that is, amongst others, the engine on the Boeing 737 MAX. As an authorized service center and warranty repair station, we have access to the latest data and technology to support these advanced components well into the future as a leading engine accessories maintenance center."
What are the main trends and technologies in use, and is there anything in these areas that differentiates 737 maintenance?
"As we support hydraulics, pneumatics, power generation, avionics, and more, we constantly see new technological developments across these different areas. By investing in new technology, we offer customers reliable solutions no matter which aircraft they operate. The newest addition to our LaGrange facility in the U.S. is our fully automated Twin Wire Electric Arc Spray; it uses a robotic arm to apply thermal spray coatings, which allows us to manage the entire component restoration process in-house for hundreds of part numbers including Boeing 737 pneumatic valves and engine accessories."
To enhance the development of our in-house avionics, power generation and pneumatics repair capabilities, we analyze our current capabilities to see where key learnings can be transferred to new solutions.
MRO Management Magazine, Volume 24 Issue 3, April 2022