Aircraft Maintenance Technology

JAN-FEB 2017

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www.AviationPros.com 17 Although common, less-sophisticated PMA parts may be available from many sources, some — like foil-air bearings — may only be available from a few. Finding a qualified PMA provider is not diffi- cult. Sources include the FAA's web site, Inventory Locator Service (ILS), trade shows and even through the company's own advertising and marketing efforts. Any concerns over the quality of these sophisticated PMA parts quickly vanish when engineering personnel learn more about some of these companies and who runs them. For example R&D; Dynamics, a producer and supplier of FAA approved foil air/gas bearings and other PMA parts, founder, Dr. Giri Agrawal, pioneered the design and development of high-speed rotating machines supported on foil air/gas bearings for air cycle machines in the '70s and '80s while working at Honeywell and Hamilton Sundstrand. "One of the benefits that companies like this have is that their founders were a key driver in the devel- opment of foil-air bearing technology," says Wolfe of AeroKool Aviation in Hialeah, FL. "When you are looking at PMA parts and your look- ing at options at how you can be more competitive with the OEMs, when you see that type of pedigree and credentials, you understand that this company is different from other PMA companies," adds Wolfe. However, Texas Pneumatic Systems' Simmons is quick to add that the reputation of the PMA provider only gets the company's foot in the door. Although he was also impressed with some of the backgrounds for these PMA suppliers, he says that what ultimately keeps the customer engaged over time boils down to quality and price. "Reputation gets us moving, but reputation won't keep us a customer," explains Simmons. "The proof is still in the pudding; when we use the product, do we get the life out of it that we get out of the OEM part? Do we have more or less warranty returns?" In addition to providing a high quality part, working with smaller PMA suppliers instead of large OEMs can have other advantages as well. Because of their focused expertise, many of these companies can offer OEM- level technical support and are agile and small enough to respond quickly to any situations that arise. This includes expediting delivery of parts when necessary. "With a PMA parts manufacturer, there is a willing- ness to make adjustments in the supply chain, the delivery schedule or if there is a hiccup of any kind, they are able to jump right on to it and get the fix com- pleted with the main guys making the decisions," says Grimshaw of Triumph Accessory Services, Wellington. "You don't have huge conglomerate and multi- layered management where things are slow to get done, with an agile PMA manufacturer it can get done overnight," he adds. For more information contact R&D; Dynamics at www.rddynamics.com; Triumph Accessory Services, Wellington at www.triumphgroup.com/compa- nies/triumph-accessory-services-wellington; Texas Pneumatic Systems at www.txps.com; and AeroKool at aerokool.com. AviationPros.com/company/10134757 JEFF ELLIOTT is a Torrance, CA-based technical writer. He has researched and written about industrial technologies and issues for the past 20 years. "Reputation gets us moving, but reputation won't keep us a customer. The proof is still in the pudding; when we use the product, do we get the life out of it that we get out of the OEM part?" — Rich Simmons, Texas Pneumatic Systems

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