The Parker Aerospace Aircraft Wheel & Brake
Division and Piaggio Aerospace have announced that the program aimed at offering
owners and operators of the P.180 Avanti, Avanti II and Avanti EVO the
opportunity to select an alternative retrofit configuration for the wheels and
brakes of their aircraft is now in the advanced stages of development and
certification.
The program was designed last year as a mutual
commitment to provide continuous quality and substantial economic value over the
whole life of the product. Recently completed are the overpressure, radial load,
fatigue (roll), and brake endurance tests, while the final wheel load tests are
scheduled for completion in the month of October. Preliminary physical fit and
static functional checks have been conducted on both configurations of landing
gear of the Avanti and of the Avanti EVO. On-runway braking tests will take
place next year, with final approval and release of the product expected in the
course of 2018.
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Piaggio Avanti Evo | Photo: Paul Cordwell. |
Aircraft Wheel & Brake Engineering Manager
Dan Basch
noted, “Compatible with the most commonly used tires in the field today, the
Parker forged aluminium wheel provides excellent corrosion resistance, as well
as advanced safety features protecting against both manual and thermally induced
tire over-pressurization. Heat shields are included in the design to help
maintain acceptable tire temperatures. The Parker steel brake integrates
seamlessly with existing aircraft normal and emergency hydraulic systems, and
requires no aircraft or landing gear modifications to install. The
high-performance steel brake was engineered to maintain smooth and consistent
operation and even wear across the available life.”
“The customized Parker steel brake was
designed to offer the lowest possible operating costs while still providing
unsurpassed quality,” noted Aircraft Wheel & Brake Business Team Leader
Tom Dorinsky.
“The conversion kit will be offered at a very competitive price and will achieve
a competitive cost per landing. The program will ensure a significant reduction
in overhaul costs, projected to be as much as 70%, offered under a dedicated
Piaggio Aerospace exchange program.”
Aircraft Wheel & Brake General Manager
Jim Stephens
added, “All design efforts were performed with the goal of substantially
reducing the operator’s costs. We are proud to be part of the team partnering
with Piaggio Aerospace to make this cost reduction a reality.”
Piaggio Aerospace Chief Executive Officer
Renato Vaghi
said, “A partnership with an international and innovative manufacturer such as
Parker responds to our positioning plans for our Avanti P.180 at a global level
and will meet our customers’ demands in a highly competitive industry, in
particular in the US, which represents a strategic market for us.” |