In 2016, Ameco developed new products and capabilities to enhance its competitiveness. In this year, Ameco will continue the capability development to keep pace with market needs.

Ameco provides base maintenance in both Beijing Base and Chengdu Branch. Last year, Beijing Base developed C check service on Boeing 747-8/8F and Boeing 777F. It completed 2C check on one Boeing 747-8F for an international customer and 1C check on one Boeing 747-8 of Air China. Furthermore, it completed C checks on more than twenty Airbus A330s. Chengdu Branch improved its passenger-to-freighter conversion experience after completing five Boeing 757 conversions. In 2017, Ameco will upgrade Boeing 747-8 airframe capability to 4C check, develop Boeing 777-300ER 2C check, A321 6C check and A330 8C check capabilities. Besides, it will further integrate the base maintenance resources in Beijing and Chengdu, providing customers with the same service experience in two facilities.

In airframe related components aspect, Beijing Base developed V2500-A5, CFM56-5B and Trend 700 engine thrust reverser overhaul as well as Airbus A330 air inlet repair capabilities. In 2016, Beijing Base repaired seven V2500-A5 thrust reversers, six CFM56-5B thrust reversers, and ten A330 air inlets. In 2017, Ameco plans to further develop the repair capabilities on engine thrust reversers and enhance the composite material repair skills as well.

V2500 engine overhaul, a newly product developed by Beijing Base in 2015 is witnessing workload increasing. As an authorized repair station of Pratt-Whitney, Ameco's V2500 workload is not only from Chinese carriers, but also from global. Ameco's engine workshop in China capital is speeding up V2500 in-house parts repair capability for shorter TAT. Ameco's APU overhaul workshop in Chengdu also improves its in-house repair capability.

Refer to component capability development, Beijing Base in last year mainly concentrated on airborne computer, communication apparatus, hydraulic products, pneumatic products, battery motor and integrated drive generator in 2016. To support Boeing 787's operation, it developed repair capability on emergency slide, cylinder, wheel, brake and battery. Chengdu Branch based on its current resources, closely put attention on pneumatic components. It is forecasted that the pneumatic components repair workload will exceed 1000 items by the middle of 2017 for Chengdu Branch.

Airbus A330 landing gear overhaul was a new product for Beijing Base in 2016. It finished the first set of A330 enhanced landing gear overhaul for Air China, making it one of three providers in global for this service.

In 2016, more than 10 new international customers were added in Ameco's line maintenance list, making the amount of international 3rd party customers exceed seventy. Ameco improved its line maintenance capability in both Beijing Base and Chengdu Branch last year. Beijing Base began to provide line maintenance on Air China's Boeing 787-9 fleet that has seven aircraft up to December of 2016. Meanwhile, Chengdu Branch has expanded its Boeing 787-8/-9 aircraft releasing service approved by FAA from Chengdu to Hangzhou. In 2017, Ameco will continue keep pace with the market needs, focusing on capability development of Airbus A350, A320neo and Boeing 737MAX.

Contributed by Ameco