With serious uncertainties in their domestic market sparked by federal budget sequestration and the resulting cuts in military spending, U.S. aerospace has more reason than ever to be out chasing new export business. This probably explains why the official U.S. Pavilion in Hall 3 remains the largest national contingent at the Paris Air Show. At more than 44,000 sq ft in size, this year’s pavilion is the largest in the past decade.
According to Kallman Worldwide, which has brought 250 American exhibitors to Paris this year, its clients’ export prospects have been improved by changes to U.S. government export control rules that have streamlined the process of selling equipment overseas. This year the company is debuting its interactive “Aerogare (Terminal) USA” exhibit during the show’s public weekend. The display promises family-friendly events around themes such as U.S. tourism and travel, and the history of flight.
Ahead of the show, the organizer was anticipating 15 high-ranking U.S. government officials to visit the Paris show, including U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin, assistant secretary for manufacturing Chandra Brown and five state governors. Among the planned events at the U.S. Pavilion this week are official opening ceremony and ribbon cutting this morning and a book signing by retired Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
This year, U.S. Pavilion exhibitors are drawn from 34 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Many smaller companies are participating as part of the state pavilions arranged for the following: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington. The states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have grouped together to form a New England pavilion.
Complimentary copies of the Official Guide to U.S. Exhibitors are available at the show this week from Hall 3 Stand D138 or via the show website www.parisairshow.com, where U.S. exhibitors’ products and services can be searched and show appointments requested. Among the exhibitors in Hall 3 with some news to report ahead of the event are the following:
East Hartford, Connecticut-based ACT Robots (Stand B118), which is debuting a new robot programmed to demonstrate several aerospace applications. The new Robotic Cell will feature processes for deburring blades or discs, polishing integrally bladed rotors and blisks to MRO weld blending condition.
First-time exhibitor Aimtek (Stand E140) of Springfield, Massachusetts, is an award-winning, value-added supplier of aerospace-grade welding and brazing alloys. The company manufactures wire, powder, paste, foil, tape and preforms for welding and brazing. It claims that its technology-driven vendor-managed inventory programs have saved customers significant inventory and administrative costs.
Rochester, New Hampshire-based Albany Engineered Composites (Stand C110) is showcasing its 3-D woven advanced composite technology solutions for next-generation aircraft engine and airframe applications, including fan blades, fan cases and other components for CFM International’s Leap engine, Snecma’s open-rotor engine assembly concept and a ceramic matrix composite acoustic engine nozzle for Boeing Cleen program.
Avionca (Stand A132) from Tallahassee, Florida, is launching its new Satlink Max Iridium satellite communications system. According to the company, the 12-pound unit provides operators with global voice communications and ACARS datalink, including air traffic control voice and FANS capability. Avionca also is introducing a improved quick-access recorder service through its new MiniQAR wireless system, which promises near real-time data delivery.
Another Florida company, Commercial Jet (Stand AB131) recently delivered the first passenger-to-freighter conversion of a McDonnell Douglas MD-80SF airliner to Everts Air Cargo. The Miami-based firm is now close to completing a second conversion, which allows for 46,600 pounds of main-deck payload and a 12-position 88- by 108-inch ULD pallet configuration.
Enstrom Helicopter Corp. (Stand A93) is now under Chinese ownership. The Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. has indicated that it will fund new product development and access to the Chinese market. The new owners are also considering plans to do some manufacturing in China to reduce the cost of making Enstrom’s rotorcraft.
Kokomo, Indiana-based Haynes International (Stand B110) is introducing its new Haynes 244 alloy, which promises a strong combination of high-temperature strength, low thermal expansion behavior, thermal stability and good oxidation resistance at temperatures up to 1,400-degrees F (760-degrees C). The company claims that both the yield and creep rupture strengths of the new material is better than that of the existing 242 alloy. These qualities are supposed to deliver better dimensional control, sealing and containment characteristics for aero engine designers.
Jonal Laboratories (Stand B118) from Meriden, Connecticut, also is unveiling a new aerospace material. Its Jonsil SE-3601 silicone combines high strength and high-temperature resistance with a hardness range of 60+/-5 Duro-A. The new compound has passed a flexibility test after being tested for 2,000 hours at 500-degrees F (260-degrees F). Jonal says that the material will extend the temperature range of elastomeric components, such as couplings, seals, clamps, anti-chafing cushions, boots and grommets. It can be made into many product forms, including bellows, bulb seals, gaskets and o-rings.
Sugarland, Texas-based Laversab (Stand B98) has introduced a pair of new automated pitot static testers designed for small jets and helicopters. The Model 6200 is intended for aircraft that are not compliant with reduced vertical separation minima requirements, while the Model 6250 does meet this standard. According to the company, the high accuracy of the pitot output is well suited to checks at low speeds in these aircraft types. The new products include sunlight-readable LCDs, touch screens and a keyboard for ease of use. They can be used to conduct 20 different test profiles with 50 test points, each of which can be stored in the tester.
Precision Sensors (Stand B118) of Milford, Connecticut, is launching its new XP Series Transducers (with ranges of 2,500- to 5,000 psig) for applications such as the monitoring or control of flight surfaces, braking, thrust reversers and landing gear actuators. The company claims that with no internal seals to degrade or cause leakage, the flameproof stainless steel welded design eliminates installation effects. It says that by using polysilcone sensor technology, it has delivered high dielectric strength for improved electronic isolation.
