- Email: [email protected]
Composite helicopter blades contribute to a quieter cabin
APPLICATIONS Composite helicopter blades contribute to a quieter cabin ITT EXELIS has won a contract valued at more than US$15 million from Sikorsky for the production of composite tail rotor blade components on the S-76D™ helicopter. The work will be performed at the new Exelis composites design and manufacturing centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Under this contract, Exelis will fabricate key structures of the Sikorsky S-76D composite tail rotor blade assembly, including the blades, the composite laminate beam, which carries the load of the tail rotors, and additional hardware required for final assembly. Composite materials in the tail rotor blade assembly, critical to the aircraft’s directional stability, help reduce the weight of the aircraft, improve its reliability and decrease the noise impact to its passengers and the communities where it operates. A long-standing supplier to Sikorsky, Exelis also fabricates composite structures for the commercial S-76C™ platform
6
REINFORCEDplastics
The Sikorsky S-76D features composite main rotor blades and composite tail rotor blades. (Picture courtesy of Sikorsky.)
and the US Marine Corps’ heavy lift helicopter, the CH-53K. Exelis says it will achieve the high-production rates required by the S-76D programme using its expanded manufacturing capacity, precision composite fabrication and machining expertise and final part finishing capability.
Composites aid cabin crew training SPATIAL COMPOSITE Solutions, a Dubai-based manufacturer of cabin crew training equipment for the civil aviation and aerospace industries, has won two contracts in South East Asia. Spatial specialises in the manufacture of cabin crew training equipment using composite materials. The company was recently commissioned to manufacture an A320 Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer for CAE’s new training centre at Seletar Aerospace Link in Singapore due to open in August. This device is designed to simulate door malfunctions, slide failures, fire and smoke in the cabin, decompression and electrical failures. CAE, a supplier of modelling, simulation and training services
for the for civil aviation and defence sectors, recently nominated Spatial as its ‘preferred supplier of cabin crew training equipment in ASEAN.’ Other opportunities for cooperation between the two companies are currently being explored. In addition, Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ airline, has taken delivery of an A320 Door Trainer from Spatial. Representing an investment of $350,000, this is the first such device in the Philippines and is designed to facilitate training on all normal door operations and to familiarise cabin crew on how to deal with any malfunctions that may occur in the event of an emergency. Spatial Composite Solutions; www.spatial-composite.com
• Read our recent interview with Mike Blair, Exelis Aerostructures’ new vice president and general manager here: Paris Air Show 2013: Exelis Aerostructures gears up for growth; http://tinyurl.com/ouo9bhl Exelis ITT; www.exelisinc.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013
CAE’s A320 Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer.
www.reinforcedplastics.com
6
REINFORCEDplastics
The Sikorsky S-76D features composite main rotor blades and composite tail rotor blades. (Picture courtesy of Sikorsky.)
and the US Marine Corps’ heavy lift helicopter, the CH-53K. Exelis says it will achieve the high-production rates required by the S-76D programme using its expanded manufacturing capacity, precision composite fabrication and machining expertise and final part finishing capability.
Composites aid cabin crew training SPATIAL COMPOSITE Solutions, a Dubai-based manufacturer of cabin crew training equipment for the civil aviation and aerospace industries, has won two contracts in South East Asia. Spatial specialises in the manufacture of cabin crew training equipment using composite materials. The company was recently commissioned to manufacture an A320 Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer for CAE’s new training centre at Seletar Aerospace Link in Singapore due to open in August. This device is designed to simulate door malfunctions, slide failures, fire and smoke in the cabin, decompression and electrical failures. CAE, a supplier of modelling, simulation and training services
for the for civil aviation and defence sectors, recently nominated Spatial as its ‘preferred supplier of cabin crew training equipment in ASEAN.’ Other opportunities for cooperation between the two companies are currently being explored. In addition, Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ airline, has taken delivery of an A320 Door Trainer from Spatial. Representing an investment of $350,000, this is the first such device in the Philippines and is designed to facilitate training on all normal door operations and to familiarise cabin crew on how to deal with any malfunctions that may occur in the event of an emergency. Spatial Composite Solutions; www.spatial-composite.com
• Read our recent interview with Mike Blair, Exelis Aerostructures’ new vice president and general manager here: Paris Air Show 2013: Exelis Aerostructures gears up for growth; http://tinyurl.com/ouo9bhl Exelis ITT; www.exelisinc.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013
CAE’s A320 Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer.
www.reinforcedplastics.com