- A single engine measures 12.8 feet in diameter
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Farnborough
International 2006 -- Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) recently completed
the first test assembly of the GP7200 engine in its preparation to support
production activity for the Airbus A380 program. Engine Alliance, a 50/50
joint venture between GE Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney, selected
Goodrich's Toulouse team to perform the final assembly and engine build-up
of its GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380 in 2004. The Engine Alliance ships
the engine to Toulouse in a split ship configuration -- fan case and
propulsor separated. The test assembly, conducted at the company's
Toulouse, France Aerostructures facility included rejoining the fan case
section of the engine to the engine core/propulsor. Fully assembled, a
single engine measures 12.8 feet in diameter.
In addition, Goodrich installs engine build-up kits consisting of the:
pneumatics and starter systems; hydraulic and fuel systems; pylon drain;
fire extinguisher; and several electrical harnesses are also installed,
including the Variable Frequency Generator (VFG) harness.
Finally, Goodrich installs a package of Airbus Buyer-Furnished
Equipment on the bare engine which includes: engine mounts; thrust links;
hydraulic pumps; fuel and hydraulic lines; pressure valves; and VFG. The
VFG itself has Goodrich origins. It is manufactured by Aerolec, a joint
venture between Goodrich and Thales. While compact in size at 19.7 inches
by 11.8 inches and 143 pounds, the VFG plays a key role on board the A380,
producing electricity for the entire aircraft.
According to Jean Luminet, President, Goodrich Aerospace Europe, "Our
team is proud to be part of another milestone in the development of this
very high profile aircraft as it makes its way into the global fleet. We're
also pleased with our team's application of Lean Manufacturing tools and
practices which allow us to continually meet our customer's deadlines.
Planning for the GP7200 engine assembly began as far back as January 2005
and involved a delicate balance of many technically challenging tasks. We
even had to modify our infrastructure to accommodate the assembly. For
example, we installed pedestals, as well as an ergonomically-designed
shipping stand for 'marrying up' the propulsor and fan cowl."
In addition to providing the build-up of the GP7200 engine for the
A380, Goodrich has a number of systems and technologies on board the
aircraft. The company's evacuation slides played a key role in the Airbus
A380 full-scale evacuation test which was successfully completed this past
March in Hamburg, Germany. The test simulated an emergency involving 853
passengers, 18 flight attendants and two flight crew. It purposely used
only half of the 16 Goodrich-produced slides on board. In total, 873 people
were safely evacuated from the plane in 78 seconds on the eight slides that
were deployed in complete darkness. The test aircraft was configured to
represent a maximum density seating arrangement and the flight attendants
were seated in Goodrich- produced cabin attendant seats. It was the largest
evacuation test ever conducted and the first time a test involved a dual
deck passenger aircraft with both decks as part of the test. The test was
performed under the supervision of the European Aviation Safety Agency and
representatives from the U.S. FAA. Both regulatory agencies declared the
test a complete success after a thorough analysis of the evacuation
process.
Goodrich, as one of the world's largest suppliers of landing systems,
also provides both the main body and wing landing gear for the aircraft.
Though Goodrich was already a major supplier for Airbus, it was the first
time the company had been selected to provide landing gear for an Airbus
aircraft. The components for the landing gear system are produced by
Goodrich's Landing Gear division and involve manufacturing facilities in
Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Cleveland, Ohio; Tullahoma, Tennessee; and
Krosno, Poland. The final gear integration takes place at the Goodrich
facility in Toulouse before delivery to Airbus' final assembly line.
Goodrich's innovative High-Density Discharge (HID) and LED-based
exterior lighting and flight controls, that take advantage of the latest
power-by-wire technology, are also on board the aircraft. And Goodrich will
provide the primary and standby air data systems.
Goodrich is also supplying an automatic ice detection system, and will
bring its experience in aircraft materials and structures to bear in the
development of the aircraft's cargo system and with several structural
components.
Goodrich's Aerostructures team also provides the sail fairing, or Rear
Secondary Structure, an aerodynamic surface that serves to reduce drag
associated with the trailing edge of the A380's pylon. It also encloses a
number of aircraft systems which must be easily accessible through various
doors and removable panels. The company provides the aft pylon fairing,
which also reduces aircraft drag and protects the primary and secondary
pylon structures from temperature extremes. In addition, Goodrich will
provide the center and rear fan case sections as well as the engine sensor
suite for the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine option on the A380.
Furthermore, as the A380 enters service, Goodrich's Component Support
network and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities are being equipped
to provide the aftermarket services necessary to keep the A380 in the
skies.
High-resolution images of the GP7200 first engine test assembly are
available at http://www.goodrich.com/presskit/pressReleases.html.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of
systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets.
With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in
the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant
worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit
http://www.goodrich.com.
SOURCE Goodrich Corporation; GR - Engine Systems
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Related links:
http://www.goodrich.com
http://www.goodrich.com/presskit/pressReleases.html
CONTACT:
Gail K. Warner, +1-704-277-3943, or Lisa
Bottle, +1-704-258-1506, both of Goodrich Corporation
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