NEWS YOU CAN USE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
QANTAS ENGINEERING NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2008 EDITION 25
111
graduating apprentices
join the ranks
+
A380 Line and Base Maintenance Bid
What’s New
A message
from Executive General Manager Qantas Engineering
Before sitting at my keyboard to write this message, I took
time out to scribble down some of the negative things
peppered on the Qantas Engineering radar – a frank summary
of recent happenings.
When the task was done, I turned the page and had a go at
capturing all the positive things. It is with a great sense of satisfaction
I am able to report that the positives outweigh the negatives!
So, what better way to welcome you back for 2008 than by
observing that this is shaping up to be a watershed year for us all.
Some of the key positives:
• We have reached an in-principle agreement on a new four-year
Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (LAME) wages package
with the ALAEA.
• We concluded 2007 with the announcement of the Memorandum
of Understanding with MAS Aerospace Engineering for a joint
venture company to provide airframe maintenance services
from Malaysia.
• We commenced 2008 by announcing that 111 graduating
apprentices would be placed into the business, and that 111
new apprentices would be appointed.
• Then there’s the awarding of the Qantas Airlines A380 Line and
Base Maintenance work to Aircraft Customer Services (ACS).
This all means one thing - a strong future for Qantas Engineering
and we can move forward as a world-class Maintenance, Repair and
Overhaul (MRO) provider.
As always, the lynch-pin of our success and future is our people,
many of them unsung, many driven by pride and professionalism.
With the curse of brevity on my back, I’ll make a few special mentions.
Congratulations to Jarkarta ACS Manager Graeme Wyman and
Technical Services Manager Bob Alcorn for achieving 50 years service.
In a changing world where careers and loyalties shift quickly, we are
privileged to have stalwarts such as Graeme and Bob with us.
And bravo to those employees in ACS who quietly donated their
$15 per-head company-provided Christmas party money to charities
including the Sydney Children’s Hospital, the Starlight Foundation
and Retina Australia.
That’s the sort of spirit that makes us all proud to say we are part of
Qantas Engineering. Welcome back, and hang on for a big 2008.
Regards,
David Cox.
111 Graduating Apprentices
to join the ranks
Qantas Engineering has welcomed
the appointment of 111 engineering
apprentices, that will successfully
graduate from the Qantas Apprentice
Training Program this year.
The graduating apprentices are mainly
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs),
but also include workers skilled in
allied trades including auto electricians,
fitting/machinists, trimmers and
spray painters. All of the graduating
apprentices will be employed within
the Qantas Engineering business,
predominantly at our Sydney, Brisbane
and Melbourne (Tullamarine) facilities.
In addition to this, the business has also
advised that they intend to take on up to
150 new apprentices throughout 2008.
Executive General Manager Qantas
Engineering David Cox said that this
was fantastic news and signals not only
to the business, but also to the
Australian public and aviation industry
at large, that Qantas is still strongly
committed to its own industry-training
apprentice program, which commenced
in 1927.
“We have a long history of training
and employing engineering apprentices
and will continue to provide training
opportunities to the next generation of
Australian aircraft engineers”.
This announcement coincides with the
commencement of the new scheme
which was announced last year, whereby
Qantas Engineering now credits up to
nine months of a four-year apprenticeship
program and reimburses up to $4,000
towards the cost of completing aero skills
prevocational courses.
Graduating NSW Appre
ntice Laura
Goovan who has succes
sfully obtained a
Certificate IV in Aeroskill
s (Mechanical).
“The new recruitment focus on
prevocational graduates will also help
continue our success into the future.
As one of the leading employers of
apprentices, Qantas Engineering
apprenticeships are highly regarded in
the Australian aviation industry, and
we encourage all interested people to
contact us” said David.
So if you know of anyone who you think
might be interested in undertaking a
Qantas Engineering Apprenticeship,
please encourage them to send
their name and mailing address to
apprenticetraining@qantas.com.au
Keeping it Safe
Ladies, forget Prada,
the devil wears steel caps
The ladies that work
footwear at all times. Heels are
in and around the
permitted, however they
Qantas Engineering
cannot be any higher than
When the
shoe is on the
other foot
By Emily Byrne, Victoria
Heavy Maintenance
maintenance
2.5 centimetres and must
facilities know that
have a heel print greater
Many of us have worked in the aviation
shoes can make
than 6cm (or about the size
industry for a while and know a lot about
or break an
of a 50 cent piece).
aircraft. But when our steel caps are off
2
outfit, but did
Please keep in mind that when
you know you could
run the risk of breaking a
toe as well?
airside, all visitors and staff must
wear a high visibility vest, display a
valid security ID Pass and ensure that
and we’re no longer a Qantas Engineering
employee, but passengers on the aircraft
we maintain, how much attention do we
give to our own personal safety?
Thongs and sandals may remind you
anyone without a red background ID or
In recent flights to Sydney from Melbourne,
of the weekend and stilettos may look
valid contract pass is escorted by a holder
I’ve noticed a concerning trend. As soon as
great with that new outfit, but there
of a red background ID at all times.
the cabin crew begin their safety briefing,
are times when the only choice is a
the attention of everyone in the cabin
good, strong and hardy steel cap boot.
wanes. A quick look around the cabin
It is essential that all employees and
their guests who visit any of the
maintenance facilities, including
hardstand areas, wear fully enclosed
shows me that no one has looked up
from their newspaper. No one stops their
conversation. No one rouses from their
dozing. No one is watching.
For some of us, it may seem like we’ve
heard it all before. But as they say in the
Supply Chains
Innovative Ways
Using their natural flare for
design, Business Analyst Tomas
Finlay and Store Person Paul
Williams from Supply Chain
Operations based in Sydney
have developed an innovative
trash compactor box.
In the past trash compactors
required up to four people
to lift the apparatus into
a heavy-duty cardboard
box for transportation. This
operation was deemed unsafe due to the heavy lifting
involved and the instability of the units while in transit.
briefing, it’s unlikely that we’ll be sitting in
the same seat in the same aircraft with the
same configuration. Even if we do, does
that guarantee our proficiency in being able
to handle an emergency or undertake the
required procedures?
So the next time you fly, put yourself in the
shoes of your cabin crew. How would you
feel briefing a cabin of passengers who
aren’t paying attention? How confident
would you be in an emergency and would
you instantly know what to do?
One of the sayings we have around safety
is that ‘I will get the level of safety that
I demonstrate I want’ – Safety Belief
Number 6. If we make sure that we give
cabin crew our full attention, we’ll not only
be looking after our own safety, but will be
encouraging others to do the same.
It’s not only safe, but
Eliminating these safety issues, the innovative new design consists of a ramp
respectful to
allowing the compactor to be rolled on and off its base and into a timber
our fellow
transportation box.
aviation
This new cutting edge design has now been put into operation at the Sydney
Distribution Centre and is considered yet another example of Supply Chain’s
commitment to the prevention of injury and safety in our workplace.
professionals
and colleagues.
People & Leadership
eXcel Day of Stars Is On Again
The Qantas Group eXcel Day of Stars
will once again be celebrated, taking
place on Wednesday 12 March. Day of
Stars aims to showcase annual eXcel
winners and provide an opportunity to
recognise all staff for their contribution
to the success of Qantas.
Team activities are planned around the
world, with branded cupcakes, muffins and
other promotional merchandise helping to
know more, or want to get involved, then
why not contact your appointed eXcel
Coordinator and see how you can be part
of this fun filled day. Details on Qantas
Engineering eXcel Coordinators can be
found at http://qfintranet.qantas.com.
au/em/people/excel/index.html
For more information on eXcel, whether
it be Day of Stars, to make an eXcel
give more spark to the celebrations.
nomination or to know more about the
Qantas Engineering eXcel Coordinators
Group Awards event taking place on 7
and the People Communication team have
already commenced work on ensuring
that the day will be a success across the
Which star will you
recognise?
up and coming eXcel 2007 Annual Qantas
Day of Stars, 12 March 2008.
March, then visit the eXcel intranet site at
http://qfintranet.qantas.com.au/excel/
index.html
business. However, If you would like to
Anthony Hourn
Award
Congratulations to Qantas
Engineering Aircraft
Maintenance Engineer Jason
Mogensen on receiving the
2007 Anthony Hourn Award
in Engine Maintenance
Repair Services.
The annual award, which
is now in its fifth year,
was established by then
Manager of People Engine
Maintenance Phil Burrows
and Manager Repair Services
Robert Glass to honour the
memory of long-term Repair
Services employee Anthony
Hourn, who died following a
long battle with cancer.
Phil and Robert wanted to find an appropriate way to keep
the memory of Anthony and his outstanding worth ethic alive
and to reward those who display similar attributes.
Jason received the award from the glowing nominations he
received from his colleagues. The nominations highlighted
Jason’s positive attitude, diligence and passion for the Repair
Services business.
The award was presented to Jason at an event attended by
Engine Maintenance’s Manager Repair Services Robert Glass,
Rodney Hourn, brother of the late Anthony Hourn (pictured
presenting Jason with the award) and members of the Repair
Services team.
Everyday people at Qantas are making a difference.
On Qantas Day of Stars take time to recognise the stars around you.
Printed on recycled paper
Qantas Engineering’s
brush with fame
The NSW Department of Education and Training recently
visited the Qantas Engineering Sydney Jetbase to
undertake some filming for a new DVD aimed at promoting
apprenticeships to all NSW students studying in years 7 to 12.
Taking time out to star in this production was Aircraft
Maintenance Engineer (AME) Mechanical Apprentice Laura
Goovan and Senior Training Instructor Russell Burgess from the
Qantas Apprentice Program.
Both Laura and Russell were interviewed on what the Qantas
Engineering Apprenticeship program offers new apprentices as
well as what attributes the Company looks for when selecting an
applicant for the program.
Sydney Nova 96.9 radio personality and comedian Tim Ross (of the
Merrick and Rosso Breakfast Show) also took part in the filming.
He joined film crews based at Aircraft Customer Services (ACS)
Hangar 416, which provided the film with an interesting set
backdrop due to the line maintenance activities that happened to
be taking place on the day.
Representatives from the NSW Department of Education and
Training expressed their thanks to both Laura and Russell for taking
part and for having the opportunity to visit and experience life at
the Sydney Jetbase.
Aircraft Maintenan
ce Engineer (AME)
Mechanical Appre
ntice Laura Goova
n
ng
Senior Traini
s
ssell Burges
Instructor Ru
People and Leadership
eXcelling in Qantas
Engineering Aircraft
Customer Services
Congratulations to the following staff from Qantas Engineering Aircraft
Customer Services (ACS) who recently received their eXcel Awards
during a presentation held at the Sydney International Terminal.
eXcel Safety
Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) Scott Wynter
received his Safety award for displaying exemplary safety standards,
particularly during his involvement in the one-man transit initiative
with the introduction of new radios and cordless headsets.
eXcel Service
Senior LAME Geoff Gillespie was recognised for continually
pursuing tasks above and beyond his own duties and leading by
example in forward planning for the next day’s work requirements.
Budget and Resources
Coordinator Phil Bailey
received an eXcel
Service Award for his
personable manner in
dealing with customers
and his outstanding
work and commitment
to the A380 program.
Customer Airlines Liaison Representative Mal Ramson was
recognised for displaying tremendous customer service in dealing
with and resolving customer airlines’ issues on a regular basis. Pictured above: (left to right) LAME Scott Wynter, Duty
Maintenance Manager Ken Getley, Senior LAME Geoff Gillespie,
Customer Airlines’ Liaison Officer and LAME Mal Ramson, Sydney
International Operations eXcel Safety Coordinator Kevin Sheridan,
Manager ACS Rodney Hespe, Budget and Resources Coordinator
Phil Bailey and Sydney International Operations eXcel Service
Coordinator Alex Migachov.
Getting to know the new Chairman
Mr Leigh Clifford
Late last year, Qantas Chairman Mr Leigh Clifford visited
Victoria Maintenance Operations to gain a better insight into
the Qantas Engineering operations there.
The tour kicked of at the Melbourne Maintenance Facility where
Mr Clifford was given a safety induction and general introduction
to the facility. This was then quickly followed by a meeting with
Avionics Components, where Components Technical Officer Matt
Ross gave a high level overview of their performance boards and
answered questions regarding the visibility of Component items in
the repair cycle.
During this part of the tour, Mr Clifford discussed how Qantas
Engineering compared with benchmarks of other businesses and had
a conversation with several engineers about their work, taking an
interest in their opinions about the business and their key issues.
The tour then continued to the main hangar, to the Leading Hand
benches, where the Chairman talked with several employees, and
listened to their concerns and issues.
Last stop on the hanger tour was Aircraft Customer Services (ACS)
where he was inducted and had several conversations with staff.
Discussions centred around industry competition and the need to
‘keep ahead of the pack’. He then visited the A330 hangar where
the A check turntime reduction project was explained.
On the return trip to the Melbourne Maintenance Facility
administration building (aka The White House) the Chairman made
several stops to meet and greet staff. Several people thanked the
Chairman for taking the time to visit the front line.
Mr Clifford also had the opportunity to visit the Avalon Heavy
Maintenance facility. In Hangar 6 he met with Aircraft Maintenance
Engineer Avionics (AME) Gary Northfield (pictured) who was
repairing a cabin light system attached to an overhead stowage
bin. Mr Clifford also took a moment to speak with Production
Manager Glen Reedy and Structures AME Marc Faraon (pictured) as
Marc undertook tasks as part of a D Check on B747 VH-OJC.
Mr Clifford commented that his overall impression from his first
visit was positive and that he’d like the chance to visit again in
the not too distant future. The Chairman’s willingness to listen to
concerns and issues, particularly around the business’ commitment
to the future, industrial issues and industry competition from
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other maintenance
organisations was appreciated by all at both facilities.
Lean Sigma
When Qantas Engineering goes
to Rio (Tinto that is!)
While the location was not
considered as exotic as many
may have been hoped for, the
outcome of the trip was still
considered very worthwhile by
a small team from Component
Maintenance Services Ground
Support Equipment (GSE)
and Supply Chain when they
travelled to the Hunter Valley
in NSW to visit a coal mine
operated by Rio Tinto.
The purpose for the visit was to study Rio
Funnily enough, there are
several similarities between
the mine and aircraft
maintenance operations.
Their workshop size and
layout are similar to our
hangar and workshop
environments and their
organisational structure is
comparable; having Fleet
Managers, Technical Services, Maintenance
staff on safety issues, particularly before
Watch, Maintenance Teams and Supply
every shift commences work.
Chain operations.
The success of this visit will now see the
Tinto’s methodology in operating heavy
And like Qantas Engineering, the mine
Qantas Engineering business reciprocate
plant equipment in the areas of safety, lean
has been extremely focused on their lean
its kind hosts from Rio Tinto with a visit to
processes and asset management.
and safety journey, particularly in recent
the Sydney Jet Base being arranged over
times. This shared focus gave the group
the next few months. We look forward to
and Rio Tinto representatives much to
providing an update on how the visit goes.
Spread out over 32 square kilometres, the
Rio Tinto Hunter Valley mine produces
approximately ten million tonnes of high quality
coal mainly for export, each year. To undertake
this mammoth task it employs 1,200 workers
and has access to 268 major motorised assets
including excavators, front end loaders, drilling
and other earth moving equipment.
Supply Chain
getting Lean
and Mean
Have you ever wondered who’s shaping the
future of how the Supply Chain Business
looks and operates? Then look no further
than the Qantas Engineering Supply Chain
Business Improvement Team (BIT).
BIT team members Manager Business
Improvement David Venes, Senior Lean Sigma
Analysts Kevin Buhagiar and Nick Tschuck,
as well as Senior Business Analyst Chris
Watson are currently working on a wide
range of projects focused on the continuous
improvement and positive development of the
Supply Chain business.
discuss, with the team observing how the
organisation applies its lean and 5S (Sort,
Simplify, Sign Post, Standardise, Sustain)
program principles in the mine’s workshop
environments and the way in which they
regularly engage and communicate with
(Pictured above) Enjoying the hospitality of
Rio are Robert Trajkovski of GSE, Brian Lynn
of Supply Chain, Stephen Kelly of Rio Tinto,
Jason Aquilina of GSE, Michael Killeen of
Supply Chain and Rodney Clark of GSE.
Below is a brief snapshot of some of the
projects in which the BIT is currently engaged:
Essendon Site Clean Up – The transition
from the Essendon Victoria overflow facility
Freight Forwarding Project - Logistics
solution to allow single ownership and
management of part movements nationally
and internationally
Lean Training – the breaking up of Lean
training into appropriate modules
Wheel Stillages - Wheel storage and
transportation and manual-handling reduction
Team Boards – Roll-out of team boards across
all sites providing information on such things as
general communications, skills, Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs) and safety and compliance
Aircraft Customer Services (ACS)
Collaboration – A joint project with ACS to
address issues and propose solutions
Cross Docking – The technical possibility
to increase the flexibility of the Warehouse
Information Management System (WIMS)
with regard to incoming demands
Lean Events - Mechanisms for continuous
improvement allowing process refinement
and development
As you can see the BIT has an action-packed
schedule to kick off 2008, with many more
initiatives and programs to come.
This schedule will no doubt increase, as other
departments seek out the BIT’s specialist skills
to assist them in further bringing Qantas
Engineering along on its Lean journey.
Setting the Standard
Setting New
Customer Standards
for Jetstar
Getting to know – Peter Summers
Supply Chain Customer Service
Account Manager
As the Jetstar Customer Service Account Manager in Supply Chain,
Peter Summers considers himself pretty lucky to be part of a team
that prides itself on delivering first class customer service.
Senior Business Analyst Sam Kelly from Supply Chain are all critical
Making
AVOD Happen
to Qantas Engineering’s continued delivery of a world class product
In recent times the Audio Visual On Demand (AVOD) In
Peter’s team members, Senior Licensed Aircraft Maintenance
Engineer Mechanical Dave Phillips from Aircraft Customer Services,
Principal Structures Engineer Kieran Donaghy from Engineering
Services and Manager Customer Relations Maria Reitano and
and resolution of customer operational and commercial issues
for Jetstar.
Together the Jetstar Customer Service Account Team deliver
high quality service by continually focusing on their customer,
which is keenly promoted by Peter and stems largely from his
years of experience in the aviation industry.
In 1991, Peter joined Australian Airlines as an apprentice
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in Airframe & Powerplants.
Following his apprenticeship, Peter has undertaken a variety of
roles within Qantas Engineering. Peter has been a tradesman
in the Fuel Component Workshops and Component
Maintenance Production Planning and Logistics and most
recently headed up the B737-300/-400/-700/-800 Reliability
Engineering team for Qantas Airways, Qantas Defence
Services, Express Freighters Australia, Air Nauru, Polynesian
Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, fitted to our B747-400
aircraft, has experienced a number of inflight service issues.
The issues with the AVOD system unfortunately lead to
record high customer impact levels between the months
of November 2006 and February 2007, causing enormous
problems for our primary customer, Qantas Airlines.
In a bid to quickly rectify the problem, the Supply Chain
Inflight Entertainment (IFE) Group were asked to step
in to help manage a number of Qantas stakeholders
involved in dealing with the supplier of the AVOD system.
Under the guidance of the Supply Chain IFE Group, all
Qantas AVOD stakeholders came together to set a range
of short and long term objectives. Once formulated,
the objectives were placed into a three pronged
Airlines and Air Vanuatu.
strategy based on current performance, compensation
Peter’s career at Qantas Engineering has allowed him to
future performance.
develop a deep appreciation for the true meaning of customer
satisfaction, which he says is due to regular reporting and
reviews of customer fleet safety and operational and customer
for Qantas and product guarantees from the supplier for
The strategy was discussed during the first monthly Supplier
Performance Review in February 2007, during which
experience Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
an action plan and list of associated tasks was created.
To further enhance the Jetstar/Qantas Engineering
While a number of action items are yet to be brought to
customer relationship, Peter is located at
least two days a week at the Jetstar
Head Office in Bourke Street,
Melbourne. This, coupled with the
a full conclusion, the level of dialogue and commitment
from all of the affected stakeholders show no signs
of waning. Monthly Supplier Performance Reviews have
taken place and have led to a major improvement in the
balance of time split between the
airline customer experience.
Sydney Jetbase and Melbourne
The results of the Supply Chain IFE Group’s collaborative
Maintenance Facility, helps ensure
approach combined with the hard work and commitment
that Qantas Engineering continues to
from all Qantas and supplier stakeholders speaks for itself
drive towards meeting and exceeding its
as, currently our airline customers are enjoying a more
customer needs and expectations.
reliable AVOD inflight airline entertainment experience.
Fleet and Facility
And the A380 contract goes to….
Aircraft Customer Services (ACS) has been successful in
their bid to win the line and base maintenance contracts for
Qantas Airline’s A380 fleet.
ACS was declared the single preferred supplier of A380
maintenance services following a comprehensive commercial bid
process, which was run by Qantas Engineering Supply Chain on
behalf of the airline.
The awarding of this contract is a positive reflection on the work
the ACS business has done to demonstrate they are an increasingly
commercial, competitive and focused on providing the best value to
their customers.
Key to the decision was the in-principle Enterprise Bargaining
Agreement struck with the
ALAEA, which delivered
terms and conditions for
A380 licensed crew. This
agreement formed the
foundation of ACS’ ability
to present a truly contestable bid, as it
gave certainty to labour arrangements.
ACS will provide maintenance support which focuses on cabin and
comfort, continuous improvement, improved aircraft availability,
reduced operational risk, as well as quality, compliance, safety,
the environment, and value added products (such as aircraft wash
and polish, engine compressor washes, optimised ground time
utilisation) and aircraft health management.
The next steps are to proceed with the implementation phase
including training, hangar set up, logistics process finalisation
and customer relationship development - including setting
up Service Level Agreements and Key Performance
Indicators - so ACS can support Qantas Airlines to
deliver a premium A380 experience to
their customers.
Initial Provisioning for the A380
Qantas Engineering Supply Chain has been tasked with the
role of establishing the spares program that will support the
new A380 for the life of the aircraft.
The initial provisioning of spare parts starts well before an aircraft
is anywhere near entry into service. Typically, Supply Chain staff will
meet with the aircraft and engine manufacturers two years prior to
an aircraft’s introduction to determine certain operating parameters.
These parameters cover areas such annual flight hours and number
of line stations as well as some critical numbers around the spares
protection level we want applied to the differing levels of components.
These parameters are then gathered together and fed into a
mathematical formula developed by the aircraft manufacturers. This
formula produces a ‘recommended spare parts’ listing, which is then
delivered to us one year prior to the introduction of the aircraft.
Various stakeholders then view the recommended spare parts listing
and offer their feedback. The list is evaluated and analysed, taking into
consideration its quoted reliability, requirement for continued flight
operation, ease of replacement on the line, and requirement at line
stations. There are also budgetary concerns to be considered for the
provision of any recommended part.
Supply Chain then take into account the support provided by the
manufacturers, through global positioning of spares. We also have
contractual arrangements with suppliers removing the burden of the
capital expenditure required for the ready provision of spare parts.
In considering all these conditions there is also the opportunity to
engage service providers specialising in the support of an aircraft’s initial
provisioning review. This is an option Supply Chain are exploring for the
introduction of the A380, with a number of organisations also coming on
board to propose a global spares support solutions for A380 operators.
Fleet and Facility
Qantas Engineering
and MAS
Aerospace
Joint Venture
Qantas has announced that it
has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with MAS
Aerospace Engineering (MAE), a whollyowned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines,
to establish a joint venture company to
provide airframe maintenance services
from Malaysia.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer Mr Geoff
Dixon, said the company would target
the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific MRO
(Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) market,
which was expected to reach US$15 billion
in sales by 2016; and perform overflow
airframe maintenance for Qantas and its
subsidiary airlines.
Mr Dixon said he was confident the joint
venture would create a world class and very
cost competitive MRO.
“Qantas Engineering will have a significant
input into the management, engineering
and quality system of the new company,
which will commence operations in 2008.”
“The operation in Malaysia will provide the
opportunity to consolidate some of this
work while providing further growth for the
Qantas Group.”
Mr Dixon said the venture built on the
$300 million investment Qantas had
previously announced for its Australian
engineering operations.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
of Malaysia Airlines, Mr Idris Jala, said, “MAS
Aerospace Engineering which leverages
the 35-year strength of Malaysia Airlines’
engineering and maintenance capabilities is
well positioned to build a world class aviation
MRO joint venture with Qantas. “It will also complement our business
review program, which we started in 2006.
“This venture also reflects the Qantas
Group’s objectives of growing our aviationrelated businesses into growth markets in
Asia and the Pacific.”
Mr Dixon said Qantas had for many years
contracted overflow engineering work
to a variety of MROs in Asian countries.
Malaysia Airlines Engineering and Maintenance,
which is part of MAE, is a leading aircraft
maintenance, repair and overhaul organisation,
with over 35 years’ experience. It has over
1,000 highly trained engineers, providing
maintenance services for A, B, C and D checks
for aircraft types B747, B777, B737, A330,
A320 to airlines across the world.
Trust Qantas Engineering? Sure Can!
While Airbus A330 VH-EBG MSN 887
was the 5,000th aircraft delivered by
Airbus, it also delivered a significant
step forward for Qantas Engineering
and the airline industry overall, with
regard to paint technology.
VH-EBG MSN 887 is the first operational
aircraft in the world to have what’s
called a ‘Base Coat- Clear Coat’ system
applied to the external surfaces of the
entire fuselage. This new technology
will enable this aircraft to showcase
the revolutionary benefits of what is
expected to be the future of paint
application to aircraft across
the industry.
The new ‘Base Coat-Clear Coat’ system
comprises a thin, dense, high solids low
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
top-coat over primer and
then applying a final
gloss Clear-Coat. The
result is a very high gloss
uniform finish.
As a continuous top-coat
coating over the entire
aircraft, the new ‘Base
Coat-Clear Coat’ will not only protect
the pigmented colours of the painted
livery, but is expected to improve
the fuel efficiency, cleaning cycle time
and increase the paint life by two to
three years.
The launch of this new
and innovative technology
delivers an array of benefits
for the environment,
in-service performance,
repair characteristics and
fuel efficiency, resulting in
significant savings to the life cycle of
the aircraft.
Another fine example of Qantas
Engineering once again, Setting
The Standard for the Airline and
the industry.
Information Technology
Housekeeping
New System
for the finance
team on the way
Qantas Engineering
Accounts Payable
New Process
The Qantas Engineering Finance team is gearing up for a
major change in July this year, when they transition from
Flare, the financial processing system they have used for
the past 13 years, to Oracle Financials.
The new system will be delivered as part of the eQ Finance
Program, which has already been implemented across
Jetstar, Regional Airlines and the Group Finance and
Qantas Shared Services teams that support them.
The new finance software application will modernise the
way the Qantas Group processes General Ledger, Fixed
To assist with the prompt processing of accounts, the Qantas
Engineering Accounts Payable department has transferred to
the Qantas Shared Services portfolio in Sydney, establishing a
dedicated team to handle all Qantas Engineering approvals.
All new Invoice Query/Approval Forms for Qantas Engineering must now
be completed on the standardised form, which can be found on the
Qantas Engineering Intranet in the Business Template Toolbox.
Once completed, all approved forms should be forwarded via OCS mail:
Melanie Cervantes
Qantas Engineering Accounts Payable
SYDAPC6
Email
shrqssapqe@qantas.com.au
Phone 02 9691 5555 (ext 25555)
Fax 02 9691 5558 (ext 25558)
Please note that a small Accounts Payable team remains in
Melbourne and will continue to manage the following:
Assets, Project Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts
Receivable and Cash Management transactions. It also
integrates with the existing eQ applications.
• Payment of Repair Invoicing
• Error Queue resolution
• Top 10 Supplier Management
• Internal Stock Manufacture
• Other EMCOST related payment and updates
Members of the
Qantas Engineering
Finance team will work
with the eQ Finance
Program throughout
Do You Need
a Health Check?
the implementation
process to ensure the
system meets business
requirements and works
Qantas has teamed up wit
h medical insurer Medibank
Private to provide Qantas
staff with the benefits of
discounted health insuran
ce and access to an online
health
risk assessment called Hea
rtbeat.
correctly. Classroom
training for Qantas
Engineering Finance
people will commence in
Heartbeat will be available to
all Qantas Group staff until
1 May 2008.
May, in preparation for
the launch of the system
Once completed, the online
health risk assessment service
sends
the user a status report based
on their health, covering a bro
ad
range of topics from general
health and wellbeing, sleep pat
tern
s
and nutrition. The service also
includes tips and ideas on how
to
further improve your health.
on 1 July.
The introduction of the
new finance software
will require changes
to business processes
and financial forms
used across our business. Further information about these
changes will be communicated over the coming months,
however, if you have any questions please contact Augusto
Modelo, the Transition Manager assigned to the Qantas
Engineering business,
on extension 28178.
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.
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The deal with Medibank Priv
ate is part the HealthAssist
initiative, which forms part of
the broader Qantas Employee
Assistance Program.
So to take advantage of this
offer why not visit http://qfint
ranet/
people/assist and get a jumpsta
rt on improving your health
and wellbeing.
The Way We Were
The way we were... in 1963
In this month’s The Way We Were we continue our look at the
Qantas Engineering Modifications and Tanks department.
This photographic display showcases their aircraft modifications
and fuel tank maintenance operations. We also discover the
department’s multicultural employee mix as well as some of the
safety procedures they applied to their daily duties.
Milestones
Industry Updates Courtesy of Qantas Investor Relations
Boeing has announced that
it would push back the first
test flight and deliveries of
its B787 Dreamliner by about
three months, as it struggles
with outsourced production of
the new, carbon-fiber airplane.
The delay is the second major
setback for the program in three
months, after the manufacturer
announced a six-month delay in
October, and could mean Boeing
will have to pay costly penalties
to airlines waiting for planes.
Boeing abandoned its target
of delivering 109 of the B787s
by the end of 2009 and said it
was working with suppliers and
customers to establish a new
schedule. The company has said
the first test flight of the plane
would now take place around
the end of the second quarter,
compared with its previous target
of near the end of March. First
deliveries of the plane are now
scheduled for early 2009, rather
than its previous estimate of late
November or December this year.
Malaysia Airlines has announced
it is targeting approximately
USD300 million in revenue from its
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
(MRO) operations by increasing the
amount of its third party business
from 30 per cent to 50 per cent by
2010. The carrier has also signed
agreements with Saudia Arabian
Airlines, Lorena Air and Air Atlanta
Icelandic to support its MRO
growth plans.
Emirates has said it is looking
to sell all or part of its stake
in state-controlled Sri Lankan
Airlines after the South Asian
island’s government sought
greater control over the carrier’s
day-to-day business. Emirates,
which owns 43.6 per cent of
Sri Lankan Airlines and whose
10-year management contract
of the carrier expires in April
this year, would value its stake
at about $150 million, Emirates
President Tim Clark has said.
such as Norfolk Island, Papua
New Guinea and Derby in
Western Australia. It began
flying twice-weekly services
between Perth and Denpasar
in September 2007 under a
commercial agreement with
IndoJet Asia, and has applied
to the International Air Services
Commission for an extra 306
seats per week on the route.
OzJet said it wanted to apply
for an international licence
to operate the services to
international airline standards.
Jetstar may be banned by
Malaysia from flying the lucrative
Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route,
being opened up after a long
monopoly, a report says. “I think
the agreement with Australia
does not allow that,” Transport
Minister Chan Kong Choy said
referring to the government-togovernment pact. “Currently
Jetstar is only allowed to
operate from the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport to Sydney.”
Malaysian transport officials
could not be reached for
comment. Last month, Jetstar
received Singapore approval to
fly the route from 1 February.
Malaysia Airlines and Singapore
Airlines have enjoyed a profitable
35-year stranglehold on the short
Kuala Lumpar-Singapore hop.
OzJet wants to apply for an
international airline licence and
increase services to Bali. The
Melbourne-based company,
which unsuccessfully tried to
launch a business-class airline
in 2005, has four older B737200s based in Australia. It
has been operating a mixture
of charter and regular public
transport flights to destinations
February Long Service Achievers
Congratulations to the following staff for achieving their respective years of service.
30 years
15 years
15 years
10 years
BARNES Anthony PROTHERO Neil
20 years
DAWES Megan
LA MACCHIA Sandy
BAILEY Marc
CAPOZZI Anthony
FARR Mathew
LOMMAN Julie
DI BLASI Donna
SAMPSON Noel
DRAKEFORD Robert SANTOS Raymond
FINN Matthew
LUBICH Steve
DI PIETRO Pina
GARDINER John
SIMPSON Craig
FORD Grant
MAGUIRE Luke
FERNANDEZ Karina
20 years
SULLIVAN Mark
FRANCE Owen
MANNING James
LEE Laval
BATES Martin
15 years
GAVIN Jason
MCCAFFREY Paul
BENNETT Keith
ASHLEY Paul
HANDLEY Mark
PARKER Jeremy
CAPRA Philip
BARTON Ian
HILLS Michael
REA Mathew
CLARK Eddy
BILLINGHAM Wayne
HINDLE Kevin
RICHARDSON Todd Matthew
CROFT Anthony
BLIGH Phillip
HOGAN Timothy
ROGERS Jeremy
GORODECKI Christopher
CHEESEMAN Leigh
HUNT Philip
TAMBASCO Phillip
HAFER Chris
CHIAPPALONE Sam
JOHAL Raj
TRPESKI Robert
JOHNSON James
CHRISTMAS Kane
KELL Shannon
VAROUHAKIS John
KARMIO Rikhard
COLLINS David
KETTLER Guillaume
WILLIAMS Todd
T: 612-9691 8760 F: 612-9691 8743 E: SHR QENEWS
News You Can Use Leading Edge February Edition.
Brought to you by Qantas Engineering People Communication.