June 2016
Elections for
AFRA Board of Directors
AFRA is pleased to announce that the online voting period for the 2016 AFRA Board of Directors election is now open, from June 1-June 10. Please coordinate with your colleagues to submit one ballot per company. There are three (3) open seats on the Board of Directors, so please select three candidates by submitting the online voting form . For more information about the candidates, please see AFRA's website page.
 
Industry News
"Aerospace supply chains are among the most complex across the global industry. Not only must aircraft parts be built to extremely fine tolerances, but they need to arrive for assembly on schedule and on spec from manufacturers scattered across dozens of time zones. If production rates surge, or new technologies debut on the factory floor, both of those conditions can be threatened..."
- Aviation Week

"Commit to an operational strategy sooner rather than later. Automated systems can take months-if not years-to source, procure, install and implement. A lot of people are involved in the process along the way, but not all of them will ultimately be responsible for the ongoing MRO ..."
- Modern Materials Handling
AFRA Committee Updates
The AFRA  BMP Development Committee is in the process of putting  together a general informational bulletin on how to properly dispose and handle hazardous materials. To participate in this Committee, please email AFRA staff  to be added to the email list.

Members of the Communications Committee and the AFRA website redesign team has  officially launched the new AFRA website.  Interested in getting involved? Please contact AFRA staff
Upcoming Industry Events
Save the Date! 

June 8-9, 2016
Prague, Czech Republic

June 26-28, 2016
Las Vegas, NV, USA

ISTAT Reception at Farnborough International Airshow
July 11, 2016
London, England

September 25-27, 2016
Barcelona, Spain

September 27-29, 2016
Singapore Expo Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore

  MRO Europe
October 18-20, 2016
RAI Amsterdam,
The Netherlands

Growing Our Social Media Footprint
Please let us know about your company's Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter profile. Follow AFRA and share our news that you think might be interesting for your followers - we will of course do the same with your messages!

Board Update 
From Martin Fraissignes, Châteauroux Air Center
Today, AFRA celebrates the 10th Anniversary of its creation, which took place at Châteauroux Airport - France in June 2006.

Already 10 years of work, progress, and international recognition!

In 2006, aircraft end-of-life management was not a real concern for airlines, aircraft owners, and other actors of the air transport industry. At that time, the sustainable development of air transport was mainly related to the reduction of noise, CO2 emissions, reduction of fuel consumption, etc...

Aircraft parting out and recycling was a limited industry and the majority of older aircraft were finishing their life-cycle, abandoned in the corner of many airports, all over the world, which generated pollution, and caused a lot of disorder. Very few MROs, recyclers, and airports were considering this business.

At the same time, economists of OEMs and those from Boeing in particular were assessing, in their middle-term forecasts, that a significant number of aircraft would be grounded and disassembled in the coming decades due to fleet renewal and search for efficiency.

Then the day came of an unpredictable meeting of men, really concerned by these issues and genuinely visionaries. They shared a common goal of seeking a specific approach of aircraft recycling and a shared vision of anticipating the real potential market of this activity. They decided to create AFRA to address these shared goals with a realistic approach, based on their personal experience, at a time when no regulations yet existed. The targets were multiple: security and quality of removed parts, maximization of recovered raw materials and destruction with no pollution.

These "first day" co-founders started working on the definition of Best Management Practices (BMPs), which have been progressively associated to an accreditation program and engagement of new members.

With that in mind, I would like to extend a special recognition to AFRA's founding companies and their leaders: Adherent Technologies, Air Salvage International Ltd., Bartin Recycling Group, Boeing, Châteauroux Air Center, Europe Aviation, Evergreen Air Center, Huron Valley Fritz West, Milled Carbon, Ltd., Rolls-Royce plc, Volvo Aero Services and WINGNet / Oxford University.

In addition, I would also like to make note of a few key founding individuals, all of which were directly and deeply involved, and who helped drive the formation and success of AFRA: Bill Carberry, Graham Carson, Mark Gregory, Gregoire Lebigot, and Denis Oliver. Not only were these companies and individuals responsible for the advent of the association, but also they were integral in developing the future vision for the Association.


Pictured: Jean-Paul Boutibou, ABJAD Group (far left), Graham Carson, Rolls-Royce plc (second on left), Mark Gregory, Air Salvage International Ltd. (third on left), Charles Kofyan, Bartin Aero Recycling (fourth on left), Paul Worthington, Evergreen Air Center (fifth on left), Hank Gibson, Vas Aero Services (fifth on right), Martin Fraissignes, Châteauroux Air Center (fourth on right), Peter Davidson, Milled Carbon (third on right), Bill Carberry, Boeing (second on right), and Gregoire Lebiogt, Vallair (far right).
June 1st - 2016 - Châteauroux

Pictured: Martin Fraissignes, Châteauroux Air Center
(back), Denis Oliver, ELG Metals, Inc. (front)

In just 10 years, AFRA has grown its presence to include membership in five of the seven continents, redefined the industry of aircraft end-of-life through the promotion of the BMP guidelines, and developed partnerships and MOUs with major organizations within the aerospace industry. 

I am very pleased to see the significant progress which AFRA has made over these past years and I am confident in the future success of our organization, although there is still a lot of work to be done!

Thank you for being a part of AFRA and for your contribution to this human venture that will remain a page of the world air transport History!

Martin FRAISSIGNES
Co-Founder & President Emeritus
CHATEAUROUX AIR CENTER

Featured AFRA Company:
Aerobay Pvt. Ltd.


Why did you join AFRA?
We first joined AFRA to share our knowledge and latest information about aircraft end-of-life (EOL) issues. In addition, we are committed to working with AFRA in advancing the Best Management Practice (BMP) guidelines to help improve environmentally responsible management of aircraft EOL. 

AFRA's attempt to create a culture related to aircraft dismantling, recycling, and asset management is globally recognized and supports companies that provide services for aircraft EOL in the aerospace industry.

At Aerobay, we strive to provide the missing link to aircraft EOL companies by providing a digitalized means of communication via a free platform for asset optimization and transaction of aircraft components.

When did you first join AFRA?
January 2016.

What has changed within your company since joining AFRA?
We have helped increase awareness on Aircraft EOL issues and have received insightful industry news from the members. Joining AFRA has also provided us with access to networking opportunities and an appropriate forum to exchange ideas, talk about industry project ideas, and meet new customers. Ultimately, with the recognition of being a member of AFRA, we feel as though the logo is a mark of confidence to our customers.

What benefits have you received from being a part of the Association?
AFRA promotes its members. The benefits include the sharing of information with other industry leaders and being a part of the development of the BMP guidelines, which help aircraft recycling businesses to manage aircraft EOL in a safe and environmentally responsible process. Membership has also provided us with the opportunity to speak on the topic of "Digital Economy of Aircraft End-of-Life Management" at the AFRA Annual Meeting. 

AFRA Annual Conference:
Registration & Sponsorship Opportunities


The AFRA & ASA Annual Conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on June 26-28, 2016. Each year AFRA & ASA provide attendees with a variety of business development and management, quality assurance, legal/regulatory and general industry topics in one comprehensive and engaging event! Pay one price for two aviation events - registering through ASA's event registration page gives you access to both the ASA and AFRA conference programming. 

For more event information and sponsorship opportunities, please click below.


Visit Our Website >> AFRAassociation.org