Liebherr-Aerospace at ILA Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the 2018 Berlin ILA air show and welcomed more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries.

“She visited our stand and showed great interest in Liebherr’s activities and capabilities in aerospace,” says Arndt Schoenemann, managing director of Liebherr-Aerospace - Lindenberg GmbH and vice president for equipment and materials at the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI).

Liebherr-Aerospace presented its spoiler-actuator valve block, the first 3D-printed primary flight control hydraulic component flown on an Airbus A380 test aircraft. Liebherr-Aerospace representatives also participated in panel discussions on topics including cooperation with Boeing on its 777X program. Liebherr-Aerospace’s highlight in the Career Workshop, organized by the BDLI, involved an Airbus A350 nose landing gear more than 4m tall. www.airbus.com; www.boeing.com; www.liebherr.com

HondaJet Elite increases range, reduces noise

Honda Aircraft Co.’s HondaJet Elite extends the original HondJet’s range by 17% – to 1,437nm (NBAA IFR range) – and features a newly developed engine inlet structure to reduce high-frequency cabin noise. The aircraft’s advanced avionics system incorporates performance management functions to optimize flight planning; automatic stability and protection functions enhance flight safety.

The HondaJet Elite is type certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). www.hondajetelite.com

Boeing recognizes GH Tool & Mold

G.H. Tool & Mold, a Tooling Tech Group company and a supplier of die-cast tooling and machining services, accepted a 2017 Boeing Performance Excellence Award for maintaining a gold composite performance rating every month from October 2016 to September 2017. The company has supplied assembly and support tooling to Boeing for 10 years, receiving the Performance Excellence Award in either the gold or silver category for seven of the last eight years.

Boeing evaluates all its suppliers for quality, delivery, cost competitiveness, and service. Achieving gold status recognition requires meeting delivery and quality targets 100% of the time. This year, Boeing awarded 414 suppliers with the Boeing Performance Excellence Award. Only 85 achieved gold status.

“When you consider that Boeing has nearly 13,000 suppliers globally, the honor in achieving this status cannot be overstated,” says G.H. Tool & Mold President Dave Graves. “We are extremely proud of our team and their dedication to serving customers at this ongoing level of excellence.” www.boeing.com; www.toolingtechgroup.com

OSG USA to distribute SOMTA tools

OSG USA Inc. is now exclusively distributing SOMTA brand tools in the U.S. Founded in 1954, SOMTA is South Africa’s largest manufacturer of round cutting tools, including drills, reamers, end mills, bore cutters, and taps which are available in a wide range of sizes using various materials and quality surface coatings to extend tool life. www.osgtool.com; www.somtausa.com

Global line expands

Bombardier has launched the Global 5500 and 6500 business jets, extending the range of its Global 5000 and 6000 jets by 500nm to 1,300nm. Wings with re-profiled trailing-edge technology and purpose-built Rolls-Royce Pearl engines give the aircraft better cruise performance. A wide cabin incorporates a forward galley with high-end appliances, 4K-enabled entertainment system, and multiple- position Nuage seating.

Bombardier has renamed its flagship Global 7000 business jet the Global 7500, noting its increased range and enhanced performance.

The Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engines powering the Global 5500 and 6500 are the first of a planned engine family for business aviation. The Pearl is the sixth new civil aerospace engine introduced by Rolls-Royce in the past 10 years. It combines technologies derived from Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 technology demonstrator programs with features from the Rolls-Royce BR700 business aviation jet engine to support ultra-long-range corporate jets.

The Pearl 15 (shown above) will deliver up to 15,125 lb of thrust – up to 9% more thrust during take-off than the BR700 – but will be 2dB quieter, offer 7% improvement in specific fuel consumption (SFC), and have low NOx emissions – all while propelling passengers at Mach 0.90.

A new-generation engine health monitoring system introduces advanced vibration detection, and the Pearl incorporates advanced remote engine diagnostics and bi-directional communications that allow remote engine-monitoring reconfiguration from the ground.

The engine, developed at Rolls-Royce’s Center of Excellence for Business Aviation engines in Dahlewitz, Germany, received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in February 2018. The engine is currently undergoing flight tests at Bombardier’s Flight Test Center in Wichita, Kansas, supporting the planned entry into service at the end of 2019. www.businessaircraft.bombardier.com/en; www.rolls-royce.com

Anca names group CEO

Dr. Christopher Hegarty became group CEO on July 1, 2018, succeeding Grant Anderson FCAM. After eight years in the role at Anca, Anderson retired at the end of June.

“Having worked with Chris over the last year, I am confident of his vision for Anca and know his global experience and in-depth understanding of manufacturing will ensure a strong future for our business,” said Anca Co-Founder Pat Boland.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and an M.Sc., Hegarty received his doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He spent five years working for McKinsey and Co. in Zurich, Switzerland. Hegarty has experience working for machine tool manufacturers in Europe and Australasia, including more than 15 years as CEO or general manager. He joined the Anca group in July 2017 as the engineering manager of CNC machines, and was recently appointed to general manager of that division. www.anca.com