In October 2018, HAECO Xiamen welcomed leading industry professionals to Xiamen, when the company hosted the Commercial Aircraft Composite Repair Committee (CACRC) meeting. It was the first time the meeting has been held in China.

Composite structures are becoming increasingly prominent in new-generation aircraft. Composite repair, and its associated specialist repair techniques are gaining traction and will be an increasingly important aspect of aircraft engineering and maintenance, as the industry continues to evolve. The CACRC was jointly established by SAE International, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America (A4A) as an industry-led platform for stakeholders in the civil aviation industry to address composite repair issues as they arise. Its members include representatives from regulatory authorities, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), airline operators, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service providers, parts manufacturers and training organisations.

The focus of the five-day meeting was on composite damage identification, assessment and reporting. CACRC members gathered at the HAECO Xiamen Technical Training Centre and exchanged ideas and information about repair materials, procedures, techniques, design and training. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) provided updates on airworthiness regulations and recommendations in relation to composite repair, while Airbus and Boeing delegates shared their latest understanding on damage to composite structures.

By facilitating inter-disciplinary discussions, careful planning and open collaboration between stakeholders in the aviation industry, HAECO Group has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the development of composite repair in the industry.