EU launches aircraft maintenance licencing probe

[rotor-rooter]

The EU is investigating OEM licencing policies for third party maintenance, support and overhaul activities.

I would imagine that a review of the helicopter industry might be equally enlightening?


EU launches aircraft maintenance probe - FT.com (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9b7a7434-6e9b-11e5-aca9-d87542bf8673.html#ixzz45CPtPsMA)

“They are looking at the third parties that manufacturers licence for maintenance and at the data and information they share with those third parties,” said one airline, which recently received a detailed questionnaire from Brussels and preferred to remain anonymous.

[Rigga]

"...that manufacturers licence for maintenance..."???

How can manufacturers 'licence' a third party?

[Ian Corrigible]

Rigga,

Think along the lines of an airframe MRO outfit paying Bell a license fee to become a CSF (http://www.bellhelicopter.com/support-and-service/support/css-directory/customer-service-faciliities), or an engine shop paying Pratt & Whitney Canada a fee to become a DOF (http://www.pwc.ca/en/service-support/repair-overhaul).

I suspect the EU investigation has more to do with large engine MROs such as Lufthansa Technik and AFI KLM E&M being unhappy with the continuing trend of GE, Pratts & Rolls signing-up airlines for long-term support agreements, thereby reducing the margins enjoyed by the independent engine MROs and, hence, their license fee ROI.

I/C

[Rigga]

IC,
Thanks for stopping my head aching!