FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW, JULY 19th, 2004 … Hartwell Corporation, a member of the McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group, has received orders from C&D Aerospace to support that company with the development and manufacture of ballistic and non-ballistic decompression latches to be used in crew rest structural venting panel locations aboard the A380.
The new agreement follows a successful collaboration between the two companies last year on the development of cockpit doors to meet the FAA requirements for secure cockpit door retrofitting for aircraft flying within the US. The latches, which were designed to secure the cockpit from unauthorized entry and to release during a cockpit decompression event at .035 Kg/cm2 (0.5 p.s.i.), proved to be popular among operators. The design features a pneumatically activated system, which, with a reservoir, eliminates the need for venting into the cabin. The latch’s simplicity and high reliability made it easier to both install and maintain.
The new decompression latch will be based on the same pneumatically activation system. Deliveries of first units to C&D Aerospace are scheduled for delivery in August ’04.
In recent months, the McKechnie Aerospace Structures and other OEM Groups have won a number of significant contracts from Airbus and A380 contractors. The company engineers and manufacturers a wide range of structural, electromechanical, and other components and assemblies.
The McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group designs, manufactures, repairs, and provides aftermarket support for latches, latching systems, engineered flight control rods, interior and exterior hold-open rods, airframe and engine struts, integrated door and canopy sub-assemblies and systems. Through Solutioneering, the Group works proactively with its customers to achieve the fulfillment of opportunities through pioneering solutions in products and services that deliver enhanced performance and lowest total cost of ownership.
For more information contact Michael King, King Group.Phone: 1.805.423.3056. E-mail: mking@kinggroup.com
