take
F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
off
12.08
New Project
Passenger Cabins for
Legacy 450 and Legacy 500
Airbus A330/A340
Serial Production of Flap
Track Fairings Started
On the Road to Success
FACC Interiors with Strong
Growth in Turnover
Technology for Innovative
Engine Composites
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F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N EEDITORIAL
Dear readers,
At the beginning of this year, the changes in the ownership structure of FACC were issues for inves-tors, partners and the media. Now an important milestone has been reached, and a new, promising partner has been found. The ACC Kooperationen und Beteiligungen GmbH has bought 48.125% of the company shares, thus creating a very good foun-dation for healthy growth for FACC. The investor and the board agree on the goals: to strengthen the excellent position of the company as a development and system supplier for the aviation industry; well directed expansion; and a further increase in corpo-rate value. This is the news at the end of a bidding process that lasted months and that marks an important milestone in the development of FACC. Dr. Hannes Androsch, co-partner of the ACC Koopera-tionen und Beteiligungen GmbH and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FACC AG, has written an article about his confidence in the perspectives of FACC and the company strategy.
The Interiors division of FACC is weathering the current adverse financial crisis well - it is developing extremely well. Various new projects, new customers and a consistent expansion of the market position allow the turnover of the division to continue to grow, and will also do so in the future. In an interview with take off, Gerhard Mörtenhuber, Vice President Inte-riors, speaks about the reasons for this success.
Another milestone was reached by the employe-es of Facility 3 in Ort, Austria. They began serial pro-duction of the flap track fairings for the Airbus A330 and A340 after a development phase of only 12 months and carried out the first delivery on schedu-le. We congratulate them on this milestone and in this issue report about the details of the project.
Further highlights of the last months were the expansion of the collaboration with Boeing on the new Boeing 747-8 program and the delivery of the 1000th outer bypass duct for the BR710 Rolls-Royce engine. Read more about this and other topics on the following pages.
The editorial team hopes you enjoy our new issue.
Andrea Schachinger Editor
PS.: We welcome your comments.
[email protected]
CONTENTS
Published by: FACC AG, Fischerstraße 9, A-4910 Ried/Austria. Editorial Staff: Walter Stephan,
Bernhard Matzner, Andrea Schachinger. Photos: Peter M. Mayr AIC Vienna, Alois Furtner Ried, Embraer São José dos Campos, Boeing Seattle, ACAC Shanghai, Bombardier Aerospace Montréal, Andreas Friess/picturedesk.com, Vienna Paint Wien, Oskar Pointecker Mehrnbach, shutterstock.com, FACC Ried. Design and Composition: Oskar Pointecker, 4941 Mehrnbach.
03
No Relief in Sight
04
Ownership in FACC
A Company Geared to the Future
06
New Project:
Passenger Cabins for Legacy 450
and Legacy 500
07
FACC Interiors Division
On the Road to Success
09
Bombardier Learjet:
FACC Delivers the 200
thLearjet
Passenger Cabin
10
Airbus A330/A340:
FACC Started Serial Production
of Flap Track Fairings
12
New Boeing 747-8:
FACC Delivers Wing Components
14
Milestone:
1000
thOuter Bypass Duct
for a BR710
15
Everyone Waltz!
The Viennese Opera Ball
Cover: FACC employee Johannes Probsteder during the installation of
a BR725 Duct on a CNC measuring machine. The examination of all demanded measures of the duct is performed fully automatic.
NO RELIEF IN SIGHT
>>The current plight of the econo-my, especially in the world of finan-ce, leads us to expect turbulent times. These will accompany and influence FACC AG in its new era – in our last issue we reported about the new company structure. The United States, Europe and Japan are now in a recession and the crisis is holding important financial insti-tutions in its grip, causing a notice-able shortage of availnotice-able capital. Effects on the aviation industry have so far not made themselves felt. If one considers the information of our customers, their sector still seems to be unaffected by the crisis. The order books of the airplane manu-facturers have once again grown this year. At the end of October the incoming orders at Airbus and Boe-ing were over 1,400 planes and sur-passed by far the planned 900 air-plane deliveries in 2008.
However, all other signs indicate stormy times in the aviation industry as well. As a supplier we want to be prepared in good time and in the right way. At present the facts are as follows:
– Air traffic: Compared to last year, in September the number of pas-sengers worldwide fell by just under 3%, within America by 8.2% and in Asia by 6.8%. – Fuel: The fuel prices are under $50
USD per barrel and reduce the necessity for fuel-efficient air-planes. Individual airlines have already announced that they will postpone the delivery of new
pla-nes and continue to use older, less efficient planes.
– Profit situation of the airlines: Fal-ling fuel prices are basically good news for suffering airlines. At the same time, the question must be asked in how far the global drop in air traffic could undo this bonus. – Available assets: Market experts
assume that due to the credit crunch, already in 2009 around one third of new airplanes, i.e. $20 billion USD worth of planes to be delivered, will have to be financed by airplane manufacturers, since many financial institutions shun the financing of airplanes. – The strengthening US dollar: The
exchange rate of the dollar is basi-cally good news for FACC AG. However, due to currency hedging already transacted, this will not yet be effective and will weigh itself on business results of the coming years. In the mid-term range a strong US dollar will bring noticeable relief.
Given all these factors, one can assume that 2009 will be a great year for airplane deliveries. For the following years, however, we are anticipating a reduction of the pro-duction rates for the established air-plane families. We consider it a compensation that the A380, Boe-ing 787 and the ARJ21 programs, the last of which successfully car-ried out its first flight on November 28th, which have been greatly
effec-ted by delays, are really getting into
full gear. As a result, our production volume will continue to increase.
The implementation of targeted measures, together with our strong backlog and the new reliable ownership structure, make us confi-dent that our joint efforts will enable us to master the numerous challen-ges that the difficult market environ-ment brings.
Walter A. Stephan
Chairman of the Board and CEO FACC AG <<
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F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N EThe business year of 2008/09 set a decisive change of
direction for FACC and will present a turnaround in
revenue. The year before we were forced to cope with a
loss on our balance sheets that took the company to the
limits of financing.
>>This negative development had several causes. Time and again we were confronted with technical delays in production and delivery of new airplane models such as the Airbus A380 or the Boeing Dreamli-ner 787.
As a supplier for these models, FACC had to get involved in their development from the very begin-ning and this meant a great financial strain. The returns on this invest-ment have therefore been delayed. However, due to the long product life of airplanes and the reliability of the models, a high return flow can be counted on over a long period of time.
In addition, we had recently been confronted with a dollar that had become weaker and weaker. It hit rock bottom on July 15, 2008, with a rate of $1.599 to the euro. This situation put us in a troubling positi-on, since our revenues are on a dol-lar basis, while around 50% of our costs are in euros.
Lastly, there were – and still are – many internal problems to solve. The over-riding goal is maximum cost efficiency and the best possible quality assurance. Thus the amount of reworking, for example, must be reduced to a minimum as quickly as possible.
At FACC there has also been a change in the ownership structure. The shares of the Fischer Group were taken over in June 2008 by the ACC Kooperationen und Beteili -gungen GmbH. They now have a 48.125 % share of FACC, just like Austrian Salinen AG. The remaining shares are owned by Stephan GmbH. The present owners want to expand FACC AG into a company strong enough for the future. The new owners expressed their commitment by increasing the com-pany’s capital stock. This step strengthened our key customers’ confidence in the company, which in turn freed us from the pressure of having to look for a strategic invest-ment partner.
Under the present conditions the company strategy is based on solid ground. All measures taken should make it possible for us to break even at the end of the current business year and to once again achieve positive results in the future. The strategy of FACC is aimed at further expanding our position as a reliable and competent partner of the world’s leading airplane manu-facturers. This is to be achieved pri-marily through innovations as well as high quality standards at compe-titive prices and the expansion of
“The returns on investment in the A380 and Boeing 787 models have been delayed. However, due to the long product life of airplanes and the reliability of the models, a high return flow can be counted on over a long period of time.”
Dr. Hannes Androsch Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FACC AG
OWNERSHIP IN FACC –
our product and service spectrum. FACC should be positioned even stronger than ever as a supplier of total solutions.
At present our company is already one of the fastest growing technolo-gy and quality leaders on the global market for passenger planes. FACC has reacted to the above-average longtherm growth of the aviation sector with a consistent growth stra-tegy. In this context we benefit from the fact that lightweight construction keeps gaining in importance in the aviation industry. Manufacturers of airplanes and engines are
increa-singly prepared to contract signifi-cant parts of their supply chain to first tier suppliers.
The reconstruction of the organiza-tional structure into profit centers will also strengthen our competitive-ness and profitability, as well as assure the quality of our compo-nents and our reputation for reliabili-ty. This in turn will contribute to an uninterrupted capacity utilization of our facilities.
FACC AG will continue to be an attractive employer as we offer our employees interesting and above all
secure jobs. Even when times are getting tougher due to the financial crisis and its real economic effects, we have no reason to dread the future.
I would like to thank our customers for their confidence in us, our employees for their dedication and our works council for their con-structive cooperation.
Dr. Hannes Androsch
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FACC AG <<
ACC Kooperationen
u. Beteiligungen GmbH
48.125%
Austrian
Salinen AG
48.125%
Stephan GmbH
3.75%
FACC AG
In June 2008 the ACC Kooperationen und Beteiligungen GmbH took over the shares of the Fischer Group. The present owners want to strengthen FACC AG for the future and have shown their commitment by increasing the com -pany’s capital stock. Ownership structure chart of FACC AG
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6 F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
>>During the 2008 Farnborough Airshow, Embraer awarded FACC with the contract for the develop-ment and production of the passen-ger cabins for their two new Legacy 450 and 500 business jets. The con-tract includes the manufacturing of the linings of the main cabin, the cockpit and the cargo compart-ment, all furnishings ranging from the galley to the lavatories, bulkhe-ads, as well as the pocket table.
In August FACC began the detail development of the passenger cabins for the Embraer business jets. At present, in the so-called “joint definition phase”, FACC is working together with the customer and other program suppliers on the configuration of the planes on site
at the Embraer headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos. This is being carried out in an entirely digital pro-cess using a virtual mock-up, CATIA V5 software and the most modern analysis, simulation and visualizati-on technologies. In close collabora-tion with Embraer and the individual program partners, FACC technici-ans are developing and defining the interface to the aircraft, the installa-tion process and the draft design of the various cabin elements. Accor-ding to the contract, FACC will deli-ver the first complete cabin for the Legacy 500 model to Embraer at the end of 2010. The interior for the Legacy 450 will follow a year later.
“Our business relations with our customer Embraer are still very new,
but are developing extremely positi-vely,” said Gerhard Mörtenhuber, Vice President Interiors of FACC AG. “The foundation of this relati-onship is the optimal and most effi-cient co-operation of the Embraer and FACC engineering teams in the development of new products and programs. We want to use our com-prehensive technological expertise to contribute to the success of the two new Embraer business jets.”
The current contract is already the fourth contract that Embraer has awarded FACC within the last two years. In addition to the two Legacy models, FACC also equips the Phenom 100, Phenom 300 and Lineage 1000 business jets with lightweight interior components.
Two years ago Embraer chose FACC as a supplier for the first time. The successful
collaboration of the two companies is now being expanded. FACC is developing and
producing the passenger cabins for the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s new Legacy
450 and 500 business jets.
NEW PROJECT:
Passenger Cabins for Legacy 450
and Legacy 500
“The new Legacy contract and the other projects with Embraer will significantly help the Interiors Division -which could more than double its turnover in the last fiscal year – to continue to grow with respect to turnover and employees,” Mörten-huber had to say about the pleasing developments for this division of the company.
Legacy 450 and Legacy 500
The two Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 business jets have been completely newly developed by Embraer and complete the executive jet sector
portfolio of the airplane manufactu-rers, whereby the mid-size Legacy 450 will have a range of up to 4,260 km and the super mid-size Legacy 500 a range of up to 5,560 km. The interior, designed by the BMW Group Designworks (USA) in co-operation with Embraer for the two planes, poses a quantum leap in the deve-lopment of business jet interiors and will offer the passengers unsurpas-sed comfort and style. It is unique with its roomy cabin stand-up cabin (1.82 m tall) and a stepless floor, flat throughout, that makes the cabin comfortable to walk through. <<
FACC Interiors Division
ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Considerable growth in turnover, numerous new projects, expansion of the market
position and new customers: the Interior Division of FACC is growing extremely
successfully. take off spoke with Gerhard Mörtenhuber, Vice President of FACC
Interiors, about the reasons behind this success.
take off: Please give our readers
a short overview of the Interior Divi-sion.
Mörtenhuber: The interior division
develops, qualifies and produces complete passenger cabins for the largest airplane manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer. Depending on the custo-mer’s wishes, we are in the position to be involved in a project already at the beginning of the development phase by carrying out the industrial design or merely take over the pro-duction of components. In the last years a clear market trend has become apparent that is moving steadily in the direction of vertical
cabin development and cabin inte-gration. We follow this trend and increasingly act as a complete solu-tion provider covering the entire value added chain - from cabin design and development, qualifica-tion and certificaqualifica-tion to manufactu-ring, installation and customer sup-port
take off: Since its divestment eight
years ago as a separate operation, how has the Interiors Division deve-loped? What were the highlights?
Mörtenhuber: Eight years ago we
were in a crossroad situation, namely “grow or give way”. After intensive discussions with the
owners, customers and our management we opted for the for-ward strategy, which at the time was not self-evident. In hindsight, we see that the interior team really stood behind this step and were totally committed. I am completely convinced that this was the actual success factor and why it was ack-nowledged by the market and rewarded with contracts.
take off: How does FACC cope
with the rapid ramp-up of aircraft production, especially of the A320 family for which FACC produces lar-ge cabin components? Which mea-sures have been taken to increase production of interior components >>
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8 F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
in the course of the hike in Airbus production?
Mörtenhuber: The development
phase of the A320 cabin went hand in hand with the development and start of production of three other airplane cabins; with the introducti-on of new projects for Embraer; and particularly with the escalated pro-duction ramp-up of the cabin for the Bombardier Challenger 300 busi-ness jet. The combined implemen-tation of all these programs was the real challenge. Problems that arose were recognized on time, communi-cated openly and successfully sol-ved. In the course of the develop-ment and the ramp-up of the new A320 Enhanced Cabin, a series of improvements in logistics and pro-duction processes were put into place. Furthermore, each producti-on process was carefully tested to see which would be the most effi-cient. Step by step these improve-ments are being put into place in every program. All of these new pro-jects can only be managed if the cooperation between the customer, the FACC team and suppliers works. It is also important that our owners are supportive during diffi-cult phases.
take off: What are the main reasons
for the successful growth of the divi-sion?
Mörtenhuber: There are always
several factors that lead to success-ful growth. The actual challenge was not the strategic focus and the planning itself, but their implemen-tation. A branch that demands more and more flexibility, that is increa-sing the pace and at the same time has distinct conflicts of goals more than ever calls for an organization that is shaped by team competency and the ability to form a consensus. In spite of diverse issues, we have fulfilled many of our tasks, but are still working on some improve-ments.
take off: What are your strengths as
compared to the competition and on the market in general?
Mörtenhuber: I would like to
ans-wer this question with feedback from our customers. Our customers see our strengths above all in our technological innovations, our flexi-bility as well as in the high level of quality of our components. take off: Airplane manufacturers
are reducing their supplier base at the same time that they are transfer-ring more and more tasks to the suppliers. Where does FACC Inte-riors stand in international competi-tion? What are the prospects for FACC?
Mörtenhuber: The consolidation of
the supplier base in cabin furnis-hings differs widely as to how far advanced it is. While the consolida-tion in the area of cabins for com-mercial jets is already very advan-ced, there is still a strong segmenta-tion in the business jet area. Howe-ver, the trend on both sides is the same – our customers concentrate on their core competencies, the development of the entire plane and integration. This is why they are passing over to the supplier more
complex and comprehensive jobs in other areas. This development has been apparent for years and for a long time FACC has been working on establishing itself structurally. In our product portfolio we see oursel-ves in the upper segment.
take off: China is plainly the
emer-ging market in aviation. FACC is involved in the ARJ21 project. What is your assessment of the further market development in this emer-ging market?
Mörtenhuber: The significance of
the emerging markets, above all China, is beyond dispute. It is in the offing that on the long run a new balance between the established players in the West and the emer-ging ones in the East will materiali-ze. FACC sees itself as an integrati-ve part of the entire market and showed this quite early with its commitment to the ARJ21 project. take off: What are the future
research and development plans in the interior area?
Mörtenhuber: The continuous
furt-her development in all areas, not only on the component, is a must in every industry. We always try to keep an eye on the entire process chain. In the area of classic R&D we are concentrating on materials and processes as well as design innova-tions which lead to either more effi-ciency, reduced weight or lower costs.
take off: As far as the future and
goals of FACC Interiors go, what do you wish for the long-term future of FACC?
Mörtenhuber: I can answer this
question objectively, since it is important for everyone. In my view the ultimate goal is a long-term and sustainable perspective in running our business, and a solid position among the top three interior manu-facturers.
"We increasingly act as a complete solution provider covering the entire value added chain – from cabin design and develop-ment, qualification and certification to manu-facturing, installation and customer support."
Gerhard Mörtenhuber, Vice President FACC Interiors
BOMBARDIER LEARJET
FACC Delivers the 200
th
Learjet Passenger Cabin
By delivering the 200
thpassenger cabin for a Learjet 45 XR
(45-376) to Bombardier Aerospace in August 2008, FACC
has reached an important milestone. In Wichita, the 200
thcabin was installed in a business jet which was then
deli-vered to Tiara Air LLC. in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Tiara Air
was quoted at the time of delivery for their aircraft as
sta-ting that they “particularly loved the interior of the aircraft”.
>>The long lasting and ever expan-ding partnership with Bombardier is an important foundation in the suc-cess story of FACC’s interior sector. This began six years ago when the Canadian aircraft manufacturer gave FACC an order to start the serial production of interiors for the Learjet 40 and 45XR business jets. This event would mark the first time that FACC would enter into the business jet market segment for air-craft interiors.
In order to support the needs of the Learjet production line, FACC Solu-tions, Inc., the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of FACC, opened the Wichita Kansas facility in October of 2005. This facility has been respon-sible for the final assembly of the Learjet interior components, deli-very of the final product to Learjet’s
receiving personnel, production line support, and FACC’s liaison for design and production issues at Bombardier’s Learjet facility. Since the start of the program, the high demand for Learjet aircraft in the business jet market has allowed FACC to constantly increase the production rate to around 60 air-planes annually. FACC is responsi-ble for the production of the entire cabin of both the 40 and 45XR Lear-jet’s, from the ceiling and sidewall linings, to forward partitions, to the exclusive custom cabinets. Based on this model of success Bombar-dier further decided to expand its cooperation with FACC and since 2006 FACC has been the system integrator of the passenger cabin of the Challenger 300 business jet. <<
David Watson (l.) hands over the 200thpassenger cabin for a
Learjet 45 XR to Kevin Wilson, Bombardier (r.)
The FACC Solutions, Inc. (FSI) Wichita Team: (From Left to Right) Blake Jones, Technician; Brian Harvey, Administrations Manager; Dave Watson, Operations Manager; John Pasquale, General Manager; Remon Shaw, Technician; Chad Hilton, Technician
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10 F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
AIRBUS A330/A340:
FACC Started Serial Production of
Flap Track Fairings
Beginning October FACC handed over the first flap track
fairings for an A330-200 to Airbus. The wing components
made of composite materials were delivered to the facility
in Bremen where the wings of the long-range planes A330
and A340 are assembled. Meanwhile, the serial production
of the wing components is in full swing.
>>FACC celebrated the program milestone with a small ceremony at facility 3 in Ort im Innkreis, Austria, where the flap track fairings are being produced. FACC employees celebrated the start of serial pro-duction together with representati-ves of Airbus Germany.
In September 2007, FACC signed a contract with Airbus for the pro-duction of the flap track fairings for the Airbus models A330 and A340-200/-300, as well as the design and procurement of the production tools. The serial production of the wing components was started after a mere 12 month development pha-se. After reaching the monthly rate of nine ship sets in March 2009, around 100 additional employees will be working on the project at FACC.
Per wing, FACC produces four flap track fairings of different dimensi-ons. The largest fairing is 6.88 m long, 0.52 m wide and 0.85 m high. The aerodynamic fairings contain numerous technical systems
neces-sary for flight operations, for whose integration FACC, as a system inte-grator, is responsible. These include channels for emergency fuel drai-ning lines.
In addition to supplying the A330 and A340 models, FACC also pro-duces flap track fairings for the Air-bus A380. The contract expands the cooperation with Airbus and enables FACC to implement their existing expertise acquired from the deve-lopment and integration of the tech-nologically complex system for the wide-body plane A380 in the A330/A340 program in an optimal way, and further expand their core competencies in the area of aero-structures. <<
The successful FACC team and representatives of Airbus celebrated the milestone of the first delivery of the flap track
fairings for the Airbus A330/A340 family (Picture above from left to right): Hannes Schlosser – FACC; Günter Döhle, Peter Simonis, Christian Schäfer, Kathi Hohn, Alexander Nonnen – each Airbus; Matthias Hacker, Robert Machtlinger –
The development and production of flap track fairings are core compe-tencies of FACC AG. As a develop-ment and production partner of Air-bus, FACC has introduced different innovations, advanced materials and improved aerodynamics, which contribute towards reducing opera-ting costs of the planes. The goal of FACC is to optimize the structure of this aerodynamic sophisticated
wing component while simultane-ously reducing weight and thus reducing air drag, noise, weight and fuel consumption. Through an opti-mal choice of materials in the com-ponent lay-up, the static and dyna-mic requirements are specifically fulfilled. Innovative sealing concepts and advanced paint systems allow for excellent surface properties and efficient aerodynamics. Along with
an additional reduction in weight, newly designed mounting and adju-sting mechanisms also guarantee simple assem-bly and easy access for maintenance work, as well as sufficient freedom of movement during flight.
Flap Track Fairings: A Core Competency of FACC
Robert Machtlinger
Vice President Structures FACC AG “The signing of this contract to supply all future needed A330/A340 flap track fairings further establishes the success-ful partnership between Airbus and FACC. FACC can expand its position as a system supplier for Airbus for complex surface structures and once again suc-cessfully apply the acquired sys-tem expertise.”
Bernhard Buchmayer
Group Leader Production FACC AG “The decision to produce the flap track fairings for the A330/A340 planes in the structure facility in Ort was made on short notice. That is why it is all the more remarkable to note the excellent performance of each individual on the project team and in pro-duction that was necessary to be able to deliver the first sample to the customer on schedule. I am convinced that this team will be able to manage the upcoming ramp-up. I would like to thank everyone who made this suc-cess possible.”
Matthias Hacker
Project Manager
Hannes Schlosser
Program Manager Development Airbus Structures, both FACC AG “In only one year after starting the detail development phase, we were able to deliver the com-plete first sample set to Airbus. This could be described as an outstanding achievement and an amazing success of which we can all be very proud. We are especially pleased that the entire FACC / Airbus project team met all challenges with the necessary team spirit. The program manage ment would like to thank every single person who worked on the project for the extraordi-nary support and the good team work.”
provide significant design input and could already ensure an ideal base for cost-efficient and high-quality production in the development pha-se. “Our years of experience in the production of these components for the previous 747-400 model were definitely an advantage,” stated Franz Ahammer, project manager at FACC. However, higher static stress and the expectation of the customer to keep the weight at the same level required FACC to come up with a new design for the 747-8. “The new part design is essentially based on our expertise that we acquired on the 787 program, in particular on the spoiler of the long-range air-plane,” said Ahammer. One diffe-rence between this generation of the 747 and the previous model is that the articulated cove panel is not made of one single fibre glass panel, but two panels - one out of glass and the other out of carbon material. The two-panel concept instead of the previous design, as
well as the additional use of carbon fiber, makes for better static perfor-mance of the component, thus meeting higher stress standards.
Testing Phase Has
Success-fully Begun
In mid-December 2008, FACC com-pleted all preparations for producti-on - the development and procure-ment of the lay-up tools, the com-plex assembly and milling equip-ment and the comprehensive hard-ware package - and produced two test parts. In the course of the sub-sequent test phase, the parts were used for testing, which proved that they were failure free. This guaran-tees that the components will with-stand the forces and loads during flight. At the same time FACC is already producing the first article components and is performing all activities towards part qualification by the customer and the aviation authorities. The delivery of the parts to the Boeing plant in Everett,
With the 747-8, Boeing has put a wide-body jet on the market that has the special
advantage of being eco-friendly and very comfortable. The latest model of the 747
family utilizes the most modern technology of the 787 Dreamliner. One of the many
innovations comes from FACC.
NEW BOEING 747-8:
FACC Delivers Wing Components
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12 F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
>>For the new 747 generation, Boeing is once again relying on the tested and approved services of FACC. In May 2007, the American airplane manufacturer chose FACC as supplier for the articulated cove panel. FACC will produce the com-ponents for the 747-8 Freighter and the 747-8 Intercontinental, just as it did for the 747-400, and is also responsible for the development, production and procurement of the production tools and metal fittings.
Cost-efficient Production
The new long-range plane is deri-ved from the Boeing 747-400, but has a fuselage that is six-meters longer, a new, elegant cabin, wings that are more aerodynamic, and will have the modern, efficient engines of the 787. Due to the enhanced design of the wings, Boeing has completely redesigned the articula-ted cove panel, whereby FACC engineers, working closely together with Boeing designers, were able to
“FACC has been a supplier for Boeing’s 747 pro-grams since 2000. Due to the positive feedback during years of collaboration, Boeing has once again chosen FACC as a partner, this time for the new 747 generation. Our design input has resul-ted into a cost-efficient production as well as a high-quality product.”
Franz Ahammer
Wash., pre-assembled by FACC and ready to install, will begin in early 2009. “According to the new contract for the 747-8, FACC is also responsible for the installation of the entire hardware package and will deliver a ready-to-install panel,” is how Franz Ahammer explains the difference between this and the conventional component of the 747-400 and also emphasizes the advantages of the extended co-operation. “This way Boeing saves time in the final assembly of the air-plane. FACC, on the other hand, profits from a much higher added value.” In spite of the substantial amount of metal parts, the compo-nent of over 3.3 meters long and 2 meters wide weighs only 89 kilo-grams and thanks to the optimized composite laminate, FACC was able to meet the requirements of higher stress at the same weight. The arti-culated cove panel is an aerodyna-mic wing panel that covers the area between the wing surface and lan-ding flaps on the upper surface of the wing adjacent to the fuselage. During flight and particularly when deploying the landing flaps, the component is exposed to a multitu-de of forces, which makes the high load capacity of the component necessary. <<
The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and the 747-8 Freighter are the new high-performance members of the 747 family. The model num-ber 747-8 was chosen in order to emphasize the technological simi-larities of the 787 and the new 747. The 747-8 utilizes the innova-tive technologies of the 787 to considerably improve the efficien-cy and the functionality of the 747-400, at the same time improving fuel consumption and reducing emissions and noise. The newest family of 747 planes complies with the wishes of the airlines for a pas-senger plane that serves the
mar-ket for planes with 400 to 500 seats.
Boeing began production on the first 747-8 Freighter in August 2008. The first freighter will be delivered to Cargolux the third quarter 2010 following assembly and flight test. The first 747-8 Intercontinental passenger jet deli-very is planned for the second quarter of 2011. Since the pro-gram began in November 2005, eleven customers have so far ordered 106 Boeing 747-8 Inter-continentals and Freighters.
New Eco-friendly Boeing 747-8
Technical Characteristics Boeing 747-8
Seating 467 passengers in a three-class configuration
Engines (Thrust) GEnx-2B67 (66,500 pounds)
Maximum Takeoff Weight 975,000 pounds (442,255 kg)
Range Intercontinental – 8,000 nmi (14,815 km) Freighter – 4,420 nmi (8,185 km)
Cruise speed Mach 0,855 (Intercontinental) Mach 0,845 (Freighter)
Wing span 224 ft 7 in (68.5 m)
Length 250 ft 8 in (76.4 m)
TAKEOFF
16
take
off
14 F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
flow (bypass flow or secondary air flow) past the core engine. The fan works like a sheathed propeller and produces around 80% of the pro-pulsion, depending on the model.
Innovative Technology
for Efficient, Eco-friendly
Engines
For years, and in cooperation with engine manufacturers, FACC has been intensively researching the area of engine and engine nacelle components. The focus of the R&D is on improving the efficiency and environmental soundness of new engines that feature reduced fuel consumption and produce less noi-se and pollutants. By using more
composites in engines, the total weight and fuel consumption of the aircraft can be reduced. Due to their design, their material properties and the processes used, composite components can significantly mini-mize the noise levels of planes. In the production of engine nacelle components, FACC uses innovative manufacturing processes that are unique in Europe, among others a special technology for the proces-sing of acoustic, noise-absorbing surfaces for engine nacelles. << >>Since October 2001, FACC has
been producing these weight-saving, sound-absorbing compo-nents for the BR700 engine family. Just a few months ago Rolls-Royce further expanded its cooperation with FACC by awarding the compa-ny with a contract for the supply of the outer bypass ducts for the BR725 – the newest of the BR700 engine family, still in the develop-ment stage. This new contract boosts FACC’s market leadership in the development and production of engine nacelle components using advanced composite technology.
In turbofan engines, the outer bypass duct channels the outer air
MILESTONE:
1,000
th
Outer Bypass Duct for a BR710
The long and successful partnership between FACC and the engine manufacturer
Rolls-Royce is celebrating a significant milestone: In September FACC officially
handed over the 1,000
thouter bypass duct for a BR710 engine to Rolls-Royce. The
outer bypass duct was delivered to the Rolls-Royce plant in Dahlewitz, Germany.
Arrived in the four-digit range: The FACC team celebrated together with representatives of Rolls-Royces the delivery of the 1000thouter bypass duct for a BR710 engine.
EVERYONE WALTZ!
The Viennese Opera Ball
mand coined by Johann Strauss: “Everyone waltz!”, and the guests twirl in three quarter time in the nostalgic ambience of the Opera House.
The Opera House during
the Ball
During the ball the Viennese State Opera House is open from cellar to attic – fully accessible to all. In the Schwind foyer above the main for-mal staircase the Casinos Austria install a casino every year, expressly for the ball guests. Myriads of restaurants, champagne bars, oyster bars and even a wine tavern cater to the guests.
A Ball Dances around
the World
The Viennese Opera Ball exists not only here in Austria. Viennese balls are held in many cities such as New
York and Dubai, as well as in Istan-bul, Zagreb and Kuala Lumpur, part-ly sponsored by the Vienna Opera Ball in order to guarantee the origi-nal Viennese flair. << >>Once a year, the stage and stalls
of the State Opera House are turned into a huge dance palace for one night. The Viennese Opera Ball, which was first held in 1935 as a charity event, is today among the largest and most successful dance events that is attended by local and international celebrities and VIPs. Whether they are rich, beautiful, important or just there, the elite from politics, business and culture meet there and mingle with a dabb-ling of stars and starlets.
The ball is opened with the classic Fächerpolonaise, whereby around 160 dance couples from the youth committee enter the ballroom to the melody composed by Carl Michael Ziehrer. After obligatory song and dance performances, it is traditional that the dance floor is turned over to the ball attendees with the
com-Coffee houses, the Sachertorte and the Opera Ball – three things that inevitably are
connected with Vienna. On the last Thursday of the carnival season the social event
par excellence of the Austrian ball season is celebrated: the Opera Ball.
The Vienna State Opera, with its nostalgic atmosphere is the venue of the annual Opera Ball.
A MEMORABLE DAY:
On Friday, November 28, 2008 the ARJ21 took to the skies, a key step in China’s ambitious aviation program.
With value-added innovations, FACC is proud to support the ARJ21 commercial aircraft program in delivering
a high-quality passenger cabin.
FACC AG
A-4910 Ried/Austria, Fischerstraße 9, P.O.Box 192 Tel. +43 / 59 / 616 - 0, Fax +43 / 59 / 616 - 81000 e-mail: [email protected], www.facc.co.at