The manufactur- ing lines of the A380 and Boeing 787 have been stabilized, the
new wide- bodied Boeing 747-8 aircraft are yet being delivered to airlines, and ...
28 0 8.11
”Vision 2020“ Looking into the future
Liquid Resin Infusion: FACC setting new standards
COMAC C919:
New Order:
FACC designs, develops and manufactures passenger cabin
Blendes Winglets for Falcon and Hawker
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CONTENTS
04 Looking into the future: ”Vision 2020“ strategy
07 Strategy implementation: New composite facility in China
04 “Vision 2020” strategy
08 Liquid Resin Infusion: FACC setting new standards
10 COMAC C919: FACC to design, develop and manufacture passenger cabin
12 Dassault Aviation: Family-pioneer – market leader
15 New order: FACC manufactures Blended Winglets for Falcon and Hawker 10 Passenger cabin COMAC C919
16 Modern and appealing: A new passenger cabin for the SSJ100
18 The best of the best: FACC Supplier Award
19 Egon Schiele: Exhibition to mark ”10 years of the Leopold Museum“
12 New customer: Dassault Aviation
Published by: FACC AG, Fischerstraße 9, A-4910 Ried/Austria. Editorial Staff: Walter Stephan, Thomas Pleli, Robert Machtlinger, Andrea Schachinger. Photos: Manfred Lang Klagenfurt, SCAC Moskau, Pointecker Mehrnbach, FACC Ried, shutterstock.com, Dassault Aviation, AVIC APC, Boeing Seattle, COMAC Shanghai, Leopold Museum Wien. Design and Composition: Oskar Pointecker, 4941 Mehrnbach.
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”Mind the Gap“: A gap between perception and reality? Dear readers, We are currently experiencing one of the most successful phases in the history of the FACC AG as well as its environment, the aviation industry. FACC was able to significantly increase its turnover, profit and most especially its order backlog in the past fiscal year. We have reached an important milestone with the successful development and manufacturing of a wing box made of fiber-reinforced plastics for the new Russian airliner MS-21, thus allowing us to enter the market for primary aerostructures. The ”masterpiece“ will be presented to the public at the air show in Moscow next month. Particularly gratifying is also the fact that our customers’ aircraft programs have been developing very positively. The manufacturing lines of the A380 and Boeing 787 have been stabilized, the new widebodied Boeing 747-8 aircraft are yet being delivered to airlines, and the production rates for the A320, A330, Boeing 737 and 777 have been increasing drastically. FACC also profits from these developments! As a direct consequence, we will now be raising our developmental expenses to 60 million EUR, primarily investing in a new engineering center as well as new projects. The first half year of 2011 has also proved to be extraordinary in the aviation industry. Upon conclusion of the Paris Air Show, the industry is showing new orders that correspond to the level of the last peak phase in 2008. Airbus now holds an order backlog of eight years with the A320 and the improved A320neo. From my viewpoint, the existing duopoly in the segment of medium range aircraft remains intact. Boeing and independent analysts are predicting a stronger rate of growth in the industry than in the year before, with a concentration being placed on the Eastern hemisphere,
especially Russia, India and China – countries in which FACC has become intensively involved in recent years, having developed promising market opportunities for itself. We are embracing the future of the aviation industry and thus, perceive the future of FACC to be perfect. Or does the reality of it all actually look somewhat different? We are confronted with daily worldwide events that provide a somewhat less optimistic picture. We have the financial crises of European countries such as Greece, Ireland and Italy, the debt problems in the USA, the political unrest in North Africa and in the Middle East and of course the earthquake and ensuring nuclear disaster in Japan. These are macroeconomic events that could massively slow down the still quite delicate upswing in the world economy and with that, could put a barrier on the growth of worldwide aviation. Even for FACC, I see various negative influences, for example, the currently high volatility of the US Dollar. Our experts from the finance department are making many efforts with goal-oriented financial control instruments to successfully absorb the effects of this currency instability. We are also hit by the ever tightening conditions in the supply chain. On the one hand, the global competition is raising the cost pressure and with that, the risk readiness of many suppliers, often coming at the cost of quality and service. On the other hand, the monopolistic structure of some established suppliers is leading to higher procurement spending. For this, we’ll spend the next few months putting in a great effort to pursue new and innovative ways of cooperation with the supply chain. Our attention is being placed on our suppliers remaining competitive with respect to quality, service and costs while also maintaining the capability to provide tailored solutions in a timely manner. It
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is our goal to promote or establish a long-term relationship with existing and potential partners while ensuring a win-win situation for all those involved – customers, suppliers and FACC. The aviation industry is developing in a favorable manner. Still, this doesn’t mean that we no longer have big challenges to face in the near future. „Mind the Gap“ – we’ll be making sure to pay attention to the gap between perception and reality and apply our usual consequent and deliberate performance in pushing the success of FACC forward. Many measures come together to build the foundation for this success. We’d like to present some of them to you on the following pages. Here’s hoping you enjoy reading this issue of take off. Yours truly,
Walter A. Stephan Chief Executive Officer of the FACC AG
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Looking into the future:
”Vision 2020“ strategy Vision 2020 has defined how FACC intends to further develop in the next few years. The strategy in the vision sets as a priority the goal of positioning FACC among the world leaders of technology and tier-1 suppliers in the area of composites for the aviation industry.
General conditions According to predictions, air traffic will grow at an average of 5% annually in the next 20 years, whereby the use of composite materials will increase over-proportionally. However, this positive development should not lead us to forget that aviation supplier companies are facing considerable challenges. The supplier industry is extremely competitive, whereby among the well-established companies there is a process of consolidation and convergence. On the other hand, due to advanced globalization and an above-average increase in the number of passengers in the
growth markets of the BRIC states Brazil, Russia, India and China, new competitors, mainly with low wage countries, are trying to break into the market. At the same time the airplane manufacturers are demanding more and more of their partners to partake in risk sharing and are shifting larger and larger shares of the creation of value to their suppliers, which requires higher financial and intellectual resources.
Strategy elements As an international aviation supplier, FACC AG is therefore required to adapt its strategic orientation to meet these new demands and
to strengthen and further expand its solid position on the market as a leader in technology, cost and quality on a long term basis. The highest goal of the company is to ensure increase in value, high profitability and long term growth. Under the title “Vision 2020” six central strategy elements are defined. The new ownership structure of FACC creates the best possible business environment and the necessary financial power to implement the strategic measures and to be able to meet the increased market demands:
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In its strategic orientation, the FACC AG as a leading globally positioned aviation supplier of lightweight fiber composite components and systems focuses on the three business areas Aerostructures, Engine Structures and Aircraft Interiors.
Address three global markets – Aerostructures, Engine Structures and Aircraft Interiors
FACC is a leading globally positioned aviation supplier that specializes in the design, development, production and integration of lightweight fiber composite components and systems for airplanes and helicopters. We focus on the three business areas of Aerostructures, Engine Structures and Aircraft Interiors in which we have earned a leading position in the world. We want to consistently expand and further develop in these areas in the future and so strengthen our role as a tier-1 for OEMs and their sub-suppliers on a long term basis.
Invest in technology, infrastructure and capability
FACC makes use of its funds and resources efficiently in order to advance progress in the area of composite technology and to develop new technological concepts. At the same time we continually invest in the optimization of technology, processes and procedures. A high priority for us is the automation of production to ensure the productivity of our modern production facilities and to raise the competitiveness of the entire company. We are increasing the performance of the company by implementing accompanying measures regarding devel-
opment and structure of our organization as well as the qualifying and further training of employees. In addition, we regard a company-wide technology transfer within the entire value added chain to be important. We not only introduce newly developed technology in our Austrian facilities, but also apply them in our international joint ventures and supplier partners.
Expand the competitive portfolio of products
By being even more innovative, FACC wants to intensify and expand its current product portfolio. By increasing research and development resources, we can expand our technological capabilities in all business areas. The focus is on development, production and industrialization of primary structures in the area of wings as well as the use of liquid moulding methods that make it possible to replace metals with fiber composites. At the same time we want to enlarge our product and service range by acquiring companies with related fields of activity.
Grow market share and open up international growth markets
FACC is striving to expand its market share, to increase its cooperation on the current airplane pro-
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STRATEGY ELEMENTS With its strategy „Vision 2020” the FACC AG pursues as a priority the
Address three global markets – Aerostructures, Engine Structures and Aircraft Interiors
objective to further expand its solid position as a highly profitable
Invest in technology, infrastructure and capability
supplier partner for design, development,
Solutions in Composite
Develop a competitive portfolio of products
manufacture and inte-
GOALS
gration of lightweight structures and to consequently strengthen
Grow market share and open up international growth markets
its position as a leader in technology, cost and quality.
Leader in technology, cost and quality Tier-1 supplier
Add value for our customers through the provision of product related services Observe the market with regard to composite applications outside of the aviation industry
grams of its customers and to be active in future airplane programs of current and new customers as a development and production partner. Furthermore, we will be more involved in the growth markets of Asia and Russia, where there is a large business potential due to the sharp increase in their air traffic.
Add value for our customers through the provision of product related services
FACC wants to be established as a key supplier for all OEMs and to further expand its position as supplier of innovative, cost efficient
Increase in value, high profitability and long term growth Global customers, development and production network
and high quality complete solutions. We offer our customers a business model that covers the entire process chain of modern supplier production and risk sharing, active program management, design, development, qualifying, series production, global procurement and customer support. Our worldwide network of locations for engineering production and customer support as well as our wellpositioned supply chain with partners in Europe, the USA, China, Malaysia, India and the United Arab Emirates put us in the ideal position to fulfil the demands of the aviation market as well as possible and to be able to support our customers in their strategies for both internationalization and in fulfilling their counter trade agreements in their sales markets.
Observe the market with regard to composite applications outside of the aviation industry
In the future, composites will increasingly find their way into fields other than the aviation industry, especially in the area of transportation. FACC will carefully observe the trends and where there is need consider entering the market for non-aviation applications. This is where we would like to take advantage of the resulting synergies between non-aviation transportation concepts and aeronautic concepts and aim for increased profitability in the area of aviation. If need should be we will establish subsidiaries that work with composites in the area of transportation.
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Strategy implementation: New composite facility in China The FACC AG has established a joint venture with a Chinese partner to build a composite manufacturing facility in Zhenjiang (about 250 km north-east of Shanghai). As part of its strategy „Vision 2020“, FACC lays the cornerstone for a production plant in China and creates the precondition for supplying the growing aviation market in China, close to the customer. The plan is that the new production facility, after its completion and start-up, will operate as a 100% subsidiary of FACC. “This investment will significantly expand our position in Asia,” says Walter Stephan, CEO of FACC AG. “We are building a modern production facility in Zhenjiang on which our team will work closely together with our customer and see them along in their dynamic growth.”
In the first stage of construction the facility will reach a production area of 16,000 m² and be equipped with a technology that will allow for the production of interior and structural components. Construction is to begin in 2011. Production will start in the fiscal year 2012/13. The investment volume amounts to 85 million Euros. The facility in China is an important milestone for FACC for two reasons. Firstly, FACC will have its own production in US dollars in a growth market, increasing the earning power and profitability of the company on a long term basis. Furthermore, with the decision to establish a subsidiary in China, FACC is taking a further step towards being able to suc-
cessfully continue to act as a global company in a worldwide networked aviation industry. “In addition to the necessity of having cost-efficient production, these measures also help us to fulfill the requirements of our most important customers, to follow them with the production of various components in their important sales markets and to support them in fulfilling their offset commitments,” said Stephan, emphasizing FACC´s strengthened internationalization strategy. “A basic requirement on the aerospace market is that in the future the manufacture of airplanes will to a large degree take place in the regions in which the airplane will be used; and FACC is willing to meet this requirement.”
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Liquid Resin Infusion: FACC setting new standards
It doesn’t always have to be prepreg: particularly in the production of large-scale, thick-walled and integrally manufactured composite components, liquid resin infusion technology has definite advantages. Here too, FACC is a cut above the rest. The name FACC has always stood for outstanding competence in the development and serial production of fibre-reinforced components manufactured from pre-impregnated fibres (known as “prepegs”). For as long as ten years the Research and Development division at FACC has also been working on producing components using liquid resin infusion. The advantage of this technology is that the semi-finished fibre products can be processed over a longer period of time and no autoclave is required.
Two such processes are RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) and RIFT (Resin Infusion under Flexible Tooling). FACC has been using RTM in serial production for over a decade now in the manufacture of centre hinge fittings, an integral composite fitting for connecting the spoiler to the wing, for the Airbus A330/ A340. In addition, the centre hinge fittings for the Airbus A350 XWB are to go into production before the end of this year. A wealth of experience in the fields of tool design, component geometry, material and
process technologies have contributed to the development of this new component, which is currently in qualification.
Ideal for complex components The technique of liquid resin infusion was developed mainly in research projects. “The central issue here is production of complex, partly integral composite components for the sectors of Engine & Nacelle and Structures,” reports
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Gernot Schneiderbauer, who is jointly responsible for development of the resin infusion technology at FACC. He adds that the differences in the materials used in aviation technology required fundamental examinations of dry semi-finished fibre products. These are mainly multi-axial textiles and fabrics of various textures to which thermoplastic binding agents are added. This enables the manufacture of multi-curved preforms and guarantees sufficient stability for further processing. Even the draping properties were investigated and stored in an evaluation matrix. The results, worked up in the course of a research project sponsored by the EU, were utilised first in production of the FACC Integrated Outer Ring, the outer ring in the cold bypass section of a jet engine. Thanks to numerous analyses and research programs, the R&D division of FACC now has comprehensive expertise on liquid resin infusion technology and its particular advantages. This is all the more important when the standard, generally autoclave-based processes for serial production of composite components cannot be used in the
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manufacture of large and integral primary structures with complex geometry.
Trend towards integral construction methods It is exactly these integral construction methods that are winning out over the differential construction techniques in current aviation technology. That means that various components – e.g. shells and their stiffeners, such as frames and stringers – are no longer hardened separately and then bonded or bolted together: increasingly today the shell with its stiffening structure is fully assembled, infused withepoxy resin and hardened in one piece – “all in one shot”. The R&D division at FACC has developed the infusion concept MARI (Membrane Assisted Resin Infusion) and applied for patent registration so that these demands are fulfilled in the highest quality. “It is based on the principle of depth infiltration, i.e. the component is saturated in resin from the surface inwards,” explains Johannes Noisternig, Head of the Research and Development division at FACC, because in the case of high wall thicknesses - which often also vary
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in large components (panel area > 30 m²) - the resin can no longer infiltrate in the x-direction and ydirection. With MARI on the other hand, the widest range of components have already been manufactured perfectly, including geometrically variable panels stiffened with stringers in wall thicknesses of up to 40 mm.
Highest standards fulfilled “In close cooperation with the tool construction division, even the highest geometric quality standards were fulfilled, both in terms of wall thickness and the associated fibre volume content and also of component dimensions, e.g. the distance between the stringers,” according to Gernot Schneiderbauer. The extensive research and development work at FACC thus confirms the advantages of the liquid resin infusion technique, above all in the case of integral production of complex, large-scale structures which also have thick walls. Now FACC’s R&D division must pay particular attention to the stability of the production process and optimisation of the necessary equipment.
FACC already successfully employs the liquid resin infusion technology in production: (from left) Centre hinge fitting for the spoiler of the Airbus A330/A340, integrated outer ring, MS-21 wingbox.
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COMAC C919:
FACC to design, develop and manufacture passenger cabin The aviation market in China is booming. The new civil aircraft C919 is a significant step by the Chinese aviation industry towards covering the increasing demand with aircraft that are also produced domestically. Partnerships with international suppliers – including FACC – guarantee application of the latest technologies.
deck, passenger cabin, entrance area and the on-board galleys and lavatories. The order package also includes development and production of various manufacturing tools and equipment. The contract has an order value of over one billion USD and provides for deliveries over the whole lifespan of the aircraft. Plans are that FACC will deliver the first cabin in 2014. FACC is currently working with a team in Shanghai on the interfaces, technical specifications and definition of the construction spaces. The industrial design is being developed in parallel to this.
The passenger cabin of the C919 has Austrian know-how on board: FACC is a partner of COMAC in the development and production of the complete cabin of the new Chinese medium-range aircraft.
The figures are impressive: China will need more than 4300 new aircraft in the next 20 years to cope with the country’s increasing demand for air travel. Whilst according to experts the aviation industry worldwide can expect an increase in passenger demand of 4.8 per cent per annum, the People’s Republic will achieve disproportional growth rates of 7 per cent or more. Inland traffic in China uses mainly short and mid-range jets – an aircraft segment whose sales numbers are remaining strong worldwide. It is this market that Chinese aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Company of China (COMAC) wants to exploit and it is
developing the new passenger aircraft C919 for this category.
The colours of Austria in the new C919 When the C919 is delivered to an airline company for the first time in 2016 it will also have Austrian expertise on board: FACC has been chosen by COMAC as its partner for the development and manufacture of the whole cabin of the new Chinese mid-range aircraft. FACC’s responsibilities within this project are the industrial design, development, testing, qualification and manufacture of the interior. The interior system includes flight
With the development, definition and manufacture of the whole C919 cabin, FACC is making an important technology leap as cabin integrator, both as regards scope and complexity and in terms of technology and logistics. FACC is thus consolidating its position as a top tier supplier for complete cabin systems. This in combination with the establishment of a local manufacturing location in China, which was agreed as part of the contract, has strengthened FACC’s competitiveness in the market. “FACC has considerable experience and competence in the design, development and manufacture of modern passenger cabins. We want to bring this to the new Chinese C919 aircraft program and design a visually appealing modern inte-
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Mock-up of the C919: From exhibition to exhibition rior conforming to the latest technology and which stands out for a high level of comfort, convenience and well-thought out details,” Gerhard Mörtenhuber, Vice President Interiors of FACC emphasises the services of the company’s interiors sector. “We have been working very successfully with our client COMAC for years now and are proud to be actively involved in the establishment and growth of the Chinese aviation industry.” The Comac C919 is the second twin-engined passenger aircraft to be designed and built in China following the ARJ21. The single-aisle basic version currently in development is designed for short and midrange flights and, depending on the seating design, has a capacity of 156 to 174 seats. The maiden flight of the C919 is planned for 2014, the aircraft will probably go into service in 2016. According to COMAC prognoses, demand for aircraft of the C919 family will amount to over 2300 aircraft over the next twenty years.
The cockpit and front section of the passenger cabin was first introduced to the public last November at the aviation exhibition in Zhuhai in the Southern Chinese province of Guangdong, where it impressed both the national and international public. The image shows leading representatives of COMAC in the main cabin. In March the C919 mockup was a highlight of the National Major Sci-Tech Achievements, a national Chinese technology exhibition in the National Conference Center in Peking which presented the scientific and technical achievements of the government’s 11th five-year plan period. COMAC’s plans are to present a complete cabin at the next Zhuhai air show at the end of 2012. The air show in Zhuhai near Hong Kong has developed in parallel to the disproportional growth of the Chinese aviation industry into one of the largest and most important in the world.
FACC expands relations to China This commission is the second major order awarded to FACC by the Chinese aviation industry. The company first entered the Chinese market in 2004 when it was commissioned by aircraft manufacturer ACAC to develop and manufacture the passenger cabin of the regional jet ARJ21. Upon entry of XAC as majority owner in December 2009, the optimal strategic basis was created for an expansion of the business relationship with the Chinese aviation industry, which has now manifested itself in selection of FACC as development and production partner for the C919 aircraft program.
FACC delivered the first ca-
Mr. Zhou Liangdao, Vice-Chief Designer of Trunk
bin and cockpit components in
Liner and Ms Wu Zhixiang, Vice Team Leader of In-
March and installed them in an
terior System, both COMAC, at the inspection and
engineering mock-up which has
acceptance of the cockpit developed and manufac-
been used for presentations to
tured by FACC.
political
decision-makers
those of the client COMAC.
and
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Dassault Aviation:
Family-pioneer – market leader After 75 years, Dassault Aviation is the last aviation group in the world still owned by its founding family and bearing its name. Founded in 1936 by the French aircraft industrialist Marcel Dassault, the private international group has been profitable ever since. The company has a presence in more than 70 countries across 5 continents and is one of the major players in the global civil and military aviation industry. Making aviation history Born Marcel Bloch in 1892, Marcel Dassault was a true pioneer. One of his first products, the Èclair aircraft propeller, was used by the French army during World War I. In 1928, he founded the aircraft company Société des Avions Marcel Bloch. Refusing collaboration with the German aviation industry during World War II, he was sent to an extermination camp. Miraculously he survived, returned to France in 1945, and started to rebuild his company. He changed his name
from Bloch to Bloch-Dassaut, then to Dassault in 1949. Dassault was the pseudonym of his brother, General Darius Paul Bloch, a member of the French Resistance. The name derives from char d‘assaut, the French word for tank. After the war, Dassault built the Mystère and Mirage military aircraft. Avions Marcel Dassault became known as ‘the’ military aircraft manufacturer in France. The company continued to make history when Charles Lindbergh visited the Avions Marcel Dassault
factory in 1963. The American aviator was part of a team sent by Pan American World Airways, seeking a business aircraft to market in the United States. Charles Lindbergh was so impressed by the Mystère 20 that Pan Am’s newly created business jet division marketed the Falcon 20 (known as the “Fan Jet Falcon”) as the very first business jet on his recommendation. With increasing sales, Dassault and Pan Am established the joint venture company Falcon Jet Corporation in 1972. In October 1980, Dassault purchased Pan Am’s interest in the
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joint venture, making Falcon Jet a wholly owned subsidiary. Until his death in 1986, Marcel Dassault was at the helm of S.A. Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation and led a workforce of 16,000 employees. Today, Dassault Falcon Jet is the US subsidiary of Dassault Aviation. It employs more than 3,000 people in five facilities. With 1,800 employees, the facility in Little Rock counts among the largest completion centres in the world.
Revolutionary aircraft manufacturer Structured to adapt its production to market cycles, Dassault Aviation co-operates with a vast industrial network of high-tech companies in several countries. It is the only group in the world to design, manufacture and sell both combat aircraft and business jets. Dassault Aviation expertly combines powerful entrepreneurial skills with multidisciplinary design optimisation and flexible production facilities. As a renowned architect of complex airborne systems, Dassault Aviation has perfect command of primary sovereign technologies. Customers thus benefit from technological excellence and the in-depth know-how of design and operations that is based on the cross fertilisation of civil and military activities. Worldwide, some 12,000 Dassault employees, as well as 8,100 in France, share their passion for aviation. Dassault Aviation has to date delivered more than 8,000 aircraft and has logged over 25 million hours of flight time. Its aircraft, the
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Rafale, Falcon, nEUROn, Mirage, and the Mystère have become living legends.
A market leader’s secret of success Taking advantage of a distinguished heritage and technological innovations, such as digital flight controls or the head-up display used in the company’s combat aircraft, the Falcon family keeps its nose up in the wide-cabin, longrange market segment. Falcons offer the lowest fuel consumption in their class: for equivalent cabin size and performance, they use about 40% less fuel than their competitors. CO2 emissions are similarly reduced – an important aspect, considering Dassault Aviation is a member of the European “Clean Sky” research project. Over the past 10 years, Falcons have accounted for about 63% of sales generated. In 2010 alone, 77% of the company’s net sales were Falcons. With better technology, better economy, and being better for the environment, Falcon business jets are also renowned for their exceptional good looks. Marcel Dassault used to say: “For an aircraft to fly well, it must be beautiful.” Synonymous with the “Falcon efficiency” and its elegant design, the “Dassault Falcon” is a best seller among top-of-the-range executive jets.
Adding value to perfection Ongoing research and development, improvements and optimisation programmes add to Dassault Aviation’s competitive edge. “The winglet production programme on
which we work together with FACC is an important step for expanding our market presence with the new Falcon serial production,” Didier Bonnefoy, Senior Vice President Industrial Policy of Dassault Aviation, pointed out during an interview held on the occasion of entering into a co-operation with FACC. “The winglet is also one solution for further optimising fuel efficiency, boosting the Falcon’s extended range and associated performance,” Mr. Bonnefoy, a passionate and experienced aerospace engineer, explains. Besides being responsible for corporate and capital investments, Didier Bonnefoy focuses on the Dassault Group’s make-orbuy strategy, ensuring that supplier products fully match the top quality produced in-house. In striving to continuously improve competitiveness, this is strategically important for the company’s international co-operation with build-to-specification partnerships, market expansion, and sourcing new partners in terms of build-to-print and build-tospecification. “As a new supplier, FACC perfectly matches our strategy and policy,” Didier Bonnefoy emphasised. With FACC, Dassault Aviation has not only won an expert to accompany long-term pro-
Didier Bonnefoy is Senior Vice President of Industrial Policy of Dassault Aviation. During an interview with take off the passionate aerospace engineer explains the secret of success of the French aircraft manufacturer.
“To stay ahead, we are working on new, environmentally friendly business jet models, with improved comfort and efficiency.”
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DASSAULT AVIATION – KEY FACTS
Flight path of the future
Dassault Aviation is one of the major players in the global aviation industry with a presence in more than 70 countries across 5 continents. • Products: Rafale, Falcon, nEUROn, Mirage. • Over the past 10 years, exports have accounted on average for 73% of sales generated. • Over the past 10 years, the Falcons have accounted on average for 63% of of sales generated. • Net sales 2010: 77% Falcon, 80% exports. • Nearly 12,000 employees, with over 8,100 in France. • More than 8,000 aircraft delivered. • Over 25 million hours of flight time. www.dassault-aviation.com
grammes, but also a prime partner for innovative processes, and future cost-reducing and green solutions. In a market driven by the US Dollar, this first programme with Dassault Aviation is also an international, efficiency-enhancing solution for exports from Europe. Further benefits derive from FACC’s lean management, solid background, strong international presence, its know-how of composite structures beyond the production of winglets, and the close geographical proximity to France. In the future, Dassault Aviation expects to extend the partnership to include design engineering according to build to specifications.
“Dassault Aviation survived the recent economic crisis without laying-off a single employee! One of our trumps is our flexibility: we have very high levels of competence, but we are a small company with many partners. They support our military activities in France, and our Falcons all over the world. Another asset is our sister company, Dassault Systèmes. We are the world leader for digital product lifecycle management, including design, production and maintenance. Our two fields of activity, business and fighter jets are another plus. Their economical cycles are different. While one field undergoes a crisis, the other is healthy,” Didier Bonnefoy proudly highlights the company’s advantages. Dassault Aviation has always maintained stability in management and shareholding – both are essential for a long term activities in aeronautics. Since 1916, Dassault has gained experiences in all types of aircraft solutions, and has accumulated an unrivalled competence in designing and producing civilian and military planes. Dassault Aviation is the only business jet manufacturer in Europe. Together with its competitors, such as Gulfstream (USA), Bombardier (Canada) or Embraer (Brazil), it leads and shares the highend business jet market. For the 15 last years, business jets accounted for about 70% of the company’s consolidated sales. Didier Bonnefoy states that sales will further increase because business jets
are globalisation tools. “Big countries like China, India and Brazil will be strong future markets. To stay ahead, we are working on new, environmentally friendly models, with improved comfort and efficiency. Already, our Falcons consume 40% less fuel than their competitors.” While the USA is the first business jet market, a lot of business jets are also sold in Europe, Russia, South America and Middle East. Internationally, Dassault Aviation is one of the seven companies to design a state-of-the-art fighter jet. Its market share is between 10% and 15%. In Europe, Dassault Aviation is the only fighter jet manufacturer independent from the USA, as other companies implement American components in their aircraft. Main customers are traditionally countries wanting to remain independent from the USA or Russia. Didier Bonnefoy is optimistic that the civilian aviation sector will further improve, and that the global aviation business, although still well below the buoyant level of 2008, is growing. “The unprecedented wave of order cancellations seems to be over, while the pre-owned aircraft market is beginning to show signs of life. However, this trend must accelerate for the demand in new aircraft to really take off again, because these sales are often financed by the sale of the previous aircraft,” he concludes. Dassault Aviation has made aviation history, and continues to set standards which others follow. Clearly, the family business is on the flight path of the future.
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New order:
FACC manufactures Blended Winglets for Falcon and Hawker FACC’s winglet business segment is continuing its successful course: on the one hand, the cooperation with the inventor of the Blended WingletTM technology, the US company Aviation Partners Inc., was expanded. In addition, Dassault Aviation could be won as a new customer. Along with Boeing and Airbus aircraft, the Falcon 2000, Falcon 900 and Hawker 800 business jets will be flying with Blended Winglets™ from the Austrian aviation supplier. FACC has signed contracts with Aviation Partners Inc, Seattle, USA, the inventor of Blended Winglets™ Technology, as well as with the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation for the production of the fuel-saving, efficiency-enhancing winglets for these business jets. The agreement with Aviation Partners covers the supply of all winglets for the Hawker 800 as well as retrofit-winglets for the Falcon 2000 in-service aircraft. The agreement with Dassault Aviation covers the supply of the winglets for inproduction Falcon 900LX & 2000LX
business jets. This contract marks the beginning of cooperation between FACC and Dassault Aviation. The contracts represent winglet shipsets for 500 business jets. ”FACC and Aviation Partners Boeing have been successfully working together for ten years. During this time we have been able to supply over 3,000 Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft with winglets. The new contracts for the delivery of Falcon and Hawker winglets enable FACC to further expand cooperation with Aviation Partners and strengthen its position as a high-performance competency center for winglets,“ said Martin Boegl, Director of Aerostructures Programs for FACC AG. „We are very proud to welcome Dassault Aviation as a new FACC customer. We are looking forward
to a long, mutual beneficial cooperation, in which we can make use of our comprehensive expertise in the production of winglets and offer our customer high-quality turnkey solutions.” On the business jets Blended Winglets™ provide a fuel and emissions reduction of 5 to 7%. This means a measurable reduction in environmental impact and significant savings of operational costs - benefits that airlines are taking advantage of in times of rising fuel prices. The winglets optimize aerodynamics because they drastically reduce the wingtip vortices. With winglets, aircrafts fly farther, higher and more efficiently. Other benefits include lower engine maintenance, improved takeoff performance and a reduction in noise near airports.
On the Falcon 2000LX business jets Blended Winglets™ provide a fuel and emissions reduction of up to 7%.
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Modern and appealing:
A new passenger cabin for the SSJ100 The Russian aviation industry has major plans for the Sukhoi Superjet 100: as well as the domestic market, the aircraft is also intended to achieve success on the international markets. In cooperation with Western partners, work is currently underway to redesign the passenger cabin of the regional aircraft. FACC is lending design support and is responsible for production of the whole cabin. Alongside technology, cost-effectiveness and environmental issues, a passenger cabin offering passengers optimum comfort, an appealing appearance and which also embodies technical advances can often contribute to an aircraft’s acceptance on the market. Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) aims to satisfy these requirements to the best of its ability and is radically redesigning the cabin of its SSJ100. Playing a leading role in the design and development is Alenia Aeronautica. The Italian aviation group is closely involved with the SSJ100 program in a strategic partnership – it is part-owner of SCAC and the majority shareholder in the Venicebased joint enterprise SuperJet International whose responsibilities include the marketing and delivery of the SSJ100 to the markets in Europe, North and South America, Africa, Japan and Australia.
Efficient production in focus FACC was selected by Alenia Aeronautica as its supply partner in the SSJ100 program. Within the project, FACC is responsible for manufacture of the cabin equipment both above and below deck. The details of the order package consist of a multitude of differ-
ent components from ceiling and sidewall panels, overhead stowage compartments, entrance area and lavatories to the cargo compartment. And FACC has also designed and manufactured the production tools. The scope of FACC’s activities also includes integration of the system to distribute conditioned air and connection of the interior to the aircraft structure. In the first phase of the project FACC is lending support to the development team from Alenia Aeronautica in working out the design and can thus contribute their high technical expertise to the project at an early stage of the development process. Here FACC helps decide on selection of the materials and definition of the manufacturing processes. The focus here is on manufacture-oriented development creating the precondition for an aircraft cabin which on the one hand takes account of the required criteria of comfort, appearance, convenience and safety, but also can be produced more efficiently. This well-engineered design also means that the cabin components can later be manufactured in a considerably shorter time and for a significantly lower cost. This ensures optimal satisfaction of the central task of the development team – the user-friendly design of a modern
cabin at the best possible costbenefit ratio for manufacturer and airline. FACC will deliver the first complete aircraft cabin to the Alenia factory in Venice at the beginning of 2012 and lend on-site support for initial installation. After successful certification of the new cabin, rapid production is necessary with the goal that FACC produces the cabin equipment for six SSJ100 planes in 2012.
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3 questions to Rudolf Hangl Rudolf Hangl (40) is part of the FACC program management team and has design responsibility for the new project SSJ100 aircraft cabin. take off spoke to him during the initial phase of the project about his experience: Alongside the projects for development of various movable parts on the wing and tail unit and of the cargo compartment, the aircraft cabin is the third major commission for FACC in the course of the SSJ100 program. What is the significance of the new project for the company? I see two main points here. On the one hand the project grants access to the Russian aviation market – a growth market since there is a high demand for aircraft in Russia due to the large geographical distances. In addition over the next few years many older aircraft there will be replaced by new, more efficient models. On the other hand, there is the first major collaboration
with Italian aviation group Alenia Aeronautica. Both represent new spheres of activity for FACC and are therefore of considerable importance for FACC. Where do you see the greatest challenge in fulfilling the project? One major challenge is certainly to replace an already existing cabin. Of course there are high expectations upon the new cabin as regards design and styling. In redesigning an existing cabin scheduling is also always a challenge. The SSJ100 is already in service and is already in serial production. Right from the start, the new cabin must be delivered right on the required serial production dates. With Russia, we have opened up another significant sales market in the international market spectrum. How do you assess the development of the Russian aviation industry?
Very good. The country has sufficient resources and – as experience has shown – technicians with excellent training. Of course the reinvigorated Russian aircraft industry still has a few obstacles to overcome. But I personally believe that it will gain importance in the future.
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The best of the best: FACC Supplier Award
Partnerships with the most productive and industrious suppliers play an important role in any company’s long-term success; and FACC AG – like many others - rely heavily on their own world-wide top-notch suppliers. Once again FACC has honoured three of their suppliers for exceptional commitment and exemplary performance with an “Excellent Supplier Award 2010” in Gold, Silver and Bronze. In addition, an organisation has also been chosen to receive a “Special Performance Award” in recognition of their services and total support. The following suppliers have received the 2010 awards: Excellent Supplier Award in GOLD:
PPG Aerospace Located in Hamburg, Germany PPG Aerospace is a world-wide leading supplier of sealants, coatings, aircraft maintenance chemicals, and application systems. Serving manufacturers and providers for the commercial and general aviation industries.
Excellent Supplier Award in SILVER:
Plascore Inc. Located in Michigan, United States of America Plascore is a global manufacturer of honeycomb core and composite structures. Their honeycomb core is specified wherever high strength-to-weight ratio, energy absorption or directional qualities are required. PPG Aerospace is the best supplier of FACC in 2010: FACC purchasing Excellent Supplier Award in BRONZE:
HTP High Tech Plastics GmbH Located in Fohnsdorf, Austria The main business of HTP is the development and production of plastic lightweight components for the aviation industry; specialising in Injection Moulded Parts in particularly for Aircraft Interiors such as window assemblies.
Special Performance Award:
OnTime Logistics Located in Seekirchen, Austria OnTime Logistics are an international and select team of specialists who have redefined the meaning of „quality“ in the transport and logistics sector. Focussed on areas of Express, Special Delivery, Air Freight and Sea Freight, OnTime Logistics continue to provide a world-wide delivery service.
manager Rudolf Leitner hands over the FACC Excellent Supplier Award in Gold to Ulrich Krüger of PPG Aerospace, fltr Steffi Oseloff, Production Planning; Ulrich Krüger, Managing Director ASC Hamburg; Werner Luedicke, Technical Service Manager; Dr. Karen Langner, Technical, Quality and EHS Manager; Dennis Meyerholz, Operations Manager; Jakob Szablewski, Team Leader Customer Service; Rudolf Leitner, Purchasing Director FACC and Evelyn Maisrimel, Purchasing Central Commodities FACC.
The main nomination selection criterion for an FACC “Excellent Supplier Award” is the continuous provision of both High Quality products and reliable adherence to Delivery Requirements. Additional factors also taken into consideration are customer service, flexibility, co-operation and a willingness to develop, accept and implement
cost-saving and process-optimising measures. The „Special Performance Award” is presented to a supplier and/or organisation whose performance cannot be measured by conventional methods, but have consistently shown outstanding commitment to both FACC and its customers.
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Egon Schiele:
Exhibition to mark “10 years of the Leopold Museum” To mark the 10-year anniversary of its opening – the building first opened its doors as a museum on 21 September 2001 – the Leopold Museum is presenting an exhibition in autumn 2011 dedicated to a new presentation of the works of Austria’s most important Expressionist painter, Egon Schiele (1890-1918). Schiele’s works are world famous today and achieve top prices at international auction. His paintings are prized very highly by museums all over the world and attract attention not only for their artistic brilliance, but also for Schiele’s reputation as a “premature genius”. The largest collection of Schiele’s works is to be found in the Leopold Museum in Vienna’s Museum Quarter. Besides his numerous self-portraits, Schiele is famous principally for his nudes, which depict almost exclusively women and children. However, his landscapes and city paintings too are extremely popular.
Major exhibition: »Egon Schiele: Melancholy and Provocation« The exhibition »Egon Schiele: Melancholy and Provocation« is being shown from 23 September 2011. The focus of the exhibition is a ground-breaking new presentation of the masterpieces of Egon Schiele from the Leopold collection. Art collector Prof. Dr. Rudolf Leopold (1925-2010) and his wife Dr. Elisabeth Leopold assembled the most significant collection of Schiele’s works in just a few decades and this exhibition devotes itself to the life and works of Egon Schiele in a density and intensity not seen up to now. More than 200
paintings and works on paper allow viewers to trace Schiele’s path to become one of the most important European Expressionists. But Schiele’s eventful life is also charted in a particularly authentic fashion through a large number of letters and other objects from the artist’s personal possessions.
Sensitive genius and provocateur Egon Schiele is an artist of extremes. The masterpieces of this brilliant painter and illustrator are as provocative today as they were in the artist’s lifetime. Although Schiele died in 1918 at the age of just 28, his work already showed a remarkable maturity and a quiet wisdom. This sensitive artist portrayed with exquisite empathy the deepest human emotions: love, fear and melancholy. Many of his pictures have an aura of great sadness and regret. Yet the means of expression are modern, aggressive, provocative and ruthless.
Self-Portrait with
The exhibition »Egon Schiele: Melancholy and Provocation« is being shown from 23.09.11 to 30.01.12 in the Leopold Museum. Further information under www.leopoldmuseum.org
Striped Shirt, 1910
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The New „Queen of the Skies“ Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. FACC is on board.
On March 20, 2011 the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental made its inaugural flight showcasing the talent and dedication of the Boeing team and its world class suppliers. FACC has partnered with Boeing on this success. We are proud to help it fly. FACC congratulates Boeing and offers best wishes for the future of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
FACC A-4910 Ried/Austria, Fischerstraße 9 Tel. +43/59/616-0, Fax +43/59/616-81000 e-mail:
[email protected], www.facc.at
