Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of GTF engine overhaul capability at its Eagle Services Asia (ESA) facility, Pratt &amp; Whitney reported at the Singapore Airshow’s opening day that it expects to double the number of engines processed at the plant since the first overhaul in January 2019. The line capability accounts for part of Pratt’s $85 million modernization of the Singapore facility, one of three GTF engine centers in the Asia-Pacific region.

 


The modernized facility can accommodate multiple engine overhaul lines for a variety of engine models, namely the PW4000 family, the GP7200, and now the PW1100G geared turbofan.

 


“More than 60 percent&nbsp;of our global GTF fleet is currently flying in this region, and Asia-Pacific is home to a number of carriers that operate GTF-powered A320neo aircraft in their fleet,” &nbsp;said Brendon McWilliam, executive director of Asia-Pacific aftermarket operations.

 


Of course, the GTF line also benefits the Singapore economy, opening several jobs and cross-training opportunities for locals.

 


“The opening of the GTF line underscores Singapore’s position as a leading MRO hub for the region and its contribution to the global aerospace value chain. We are excited to be a key part of Pratt &amp; Whitney’s efforts to Go Beyond for its GTF airline customers in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Gian Yi Hsen, executive director of conglomerates at the Singapore Economic Development Board. “This investment also creates new opportunities for our local engineers and technicians to be up-skilled and cross-trained on different engine platforms&nbsp;and highlights the fulfilling career opportunities that the aerospace industry offers.”

 


Adopting advanced technologies, automating some processes, “going wireless,” and ensuring continuous learning and development for employees in its operations has further enhanced engine overhaul from disassembly to reassembly and testing, said Pratt &amp; Whitney. The company flew in leading expert trainers&nbsp;to groom employees based locally on disassembly, assembly, and testing. It also conducted benchmarking trips to Pratt &amp; Whitney and other engine centers around the world to strengthen the local knowledge base at ESA.

 


“Our customers for both the GTF and GP7200 engines and existing PW4000 fleet have witnessed the benefits from our investments in an upgraded ESA facility to integrate technologies, automate operations, and expand output," explained ESA general manager Ying-Kiong Yip. “Beyond increasing productivity and efficiency, our success in up-skilling our workforce at the Singapore engine center enables us to further support growing MRO needs for the Asia-Pacific region in the coming years, against a backdrop of rising travel demand by consumers here.”

 


Singapore is a member of the global network of MRO facilities that service the GTF engines. The GTF MRO network spans three continents, consisting of engine centers operated by Pratt &amp; Whitney, MTU Aero Engines, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation, Lufthansa Technik,&nbsp;and Delta TechOps.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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