Eastman Aviation Solutions Lubricants Academy is helping to keep the aviation industry's engineers and maintenance personnel at the cutting edge in the face of technological change and global skills shortages.
The aviation fluids supplier is urging commercial airlines worldwide to commit staff to skill development through training programs like its Eastman Aviation Solutions Lubricants Academy.
Eastman Aviation Solutions Technology Director Dr. Andrew Markson said The surge of new technologies in the aviation industry created a need for specific lubricant-related education and was the catalyst for the further development of the online lubricants academy by Eastman Aviation Solutions.
Engine lubrication isnt typically an area of maintenance focus when learning to become an engineer, but its an important part of operating a healthy, well-functioning aircraft, Dr. Markson continued. The academy fills this gap in education, as it is aimed at supporting staff in all lubricant-related operations to help them get the most out of their engine fleets.
The training starts by introducing the technical specifications of various types of engine oil and highlighting the differences between Standard Performance Capable (SPC) and High Performance Capable (HPC) grade oils through a variety of examples, comparisons and imagery, Dr. Markson said.
Nicholas Cleary, Eastman Aviation Solutions Global Technical Services Director added, Stepping engineers through the key features and benefits of different oils, particularly SPC versus HPC, is important given the current technological climate, and the fact that airlines have a combination of old and new generation engines operating within their fleets.
The unique maintenance requirements that accompany high-efficiency engines also pose a particular challenge to independent MROs who are often not trained to service new engines the way OEMs have designed them.
Continuous professional development is one of the best ways to combat skill shortages among existing aircraft engineers and boost their competence as new engines enter the market, Mr. Cleary concluded. We hope as the industry continues to tackle global skill shortage issues we will begin to see more airlines recognizing the value of up-skilling their existing maintenance personnel.
The Eastman Aviation Solutions Lubricants Academy comprises eight modules, covering key aspects of turbine oil, including oil history, composition, storage and handling, servicing, conversion and monitoring.
In early 2014, Eastman Chemical announced that it acquired the assets of BPs global aviation turbine engine oil business, with annual revenues of approximately $100 million. The acquisition included a production facility in Linden, NJ, specialized laboratory equipment located in Naperville, IL, and a long-term supply agreement for products related to the acquired business that BP will use to serve industrial markets.
Eastman also manufactures and markets its widely recognized family of Skydrol® fire resistant aviation hydraulic fluids. Skydrol® is the most advanced aviation hydraulic fluid supported by recognized experts in phosphate-ester fluid technology. The Skydrol® line of fire resistant hydraulic fluids includes Skydrol® 500B-4, Skydrol® LD-4, Skydrol® 5 and Skydrol® PE-5. Skydrol® PE-5 was developed to meet the Type V hydraulic fluid requirements developed by Airbus, Boeing, and the hydraulic fluid manufacturers.
When added to its family of Skydrol® aviation hydraulic fluids, the acquired aviation turbine engine oil portfolio is expected to enable Eastman to better meet the global aviation industrys needs.
