The Nexcelle joint venture’s business jet nacelle system makes its debut on Bombardier’s Global 7000

 

October 12, 2017

Nexcelle* is in the spotlight this week with the public debut of its business jet nacelle system on Bombardier’s twin-engine Global 7000, equipped with the Passport integrated propulsion system (IPS).

Exhibited at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada is one of four Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicles that are participating in the Canadian-built aircraft’s test and certification program.

The Global 7000 is powered by Passport – the business aviation industry’s first truly integrated propulsion system, which benefits from the close cooperation between Nexcelle, the nacelle system supplier, and GE Aviation, the turbofan engine’s manufacturer.

“Our hand-in-hand working relationship is showing positive results, providing the lightest-weight, most aerodynamically-efficient propulsion system available,” explained Nexcelle President Kenneth Onderko.

Highly-demanding tolerances for the nacelle

He noted that Bombardier has set highly-demanding tolerances for the Passport nacelle’s “steps and gaps” –  the positioning and spacing clearances between such elements as the inlet, fan cowl doors and thrust reverser. As a result, the nacelle system is more aerodynamically optimized, as well as being “tight” throughout the propulsion system’s internal airflow path.

“The steps and gaps requirements are among the most exacting ever, and we’re achieving the goals for these tolerances, contributing to the Passport integrated propulsion system’s overall efficiency on the Global 7000,” Onderko said. “A key selling point for the Global 7000 is the business jet’s performance; and minimizing the steps and gaps contributes directly to performance.”

Another feature of the Passport IPS is the target-type thrust reverser from Safran Nacelles, with a fixed nozzle for lower weight and reverse thrust efficiency. This marks the latest business jet application for Safran Nacelles’ target-type thrust reverser.

“The four Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicles have logged nearly 900 cumulative hours aloft to date, with Bombardier’s test team giving high marks to the nacelle system for its performance and reliability as the aircraft are put through their paces and expand the flight envelope,” Onderko added.

One additional Flight Test Vehicle is now being prepared for its initial takeoff from Toronto Downsview Airport in Canada, which is home to Bombardier’s Global 7000 final assembly line. It will join the other Flight Test Vehicles at the company’s U.S. flight test center in Wichita, Kansas.

With the Global 7000’s development and certification on track for an entry-into-service during the second half of 2018, the initial eight business jets for customers currently are progressing on the Bombardier final assembly line. This is being matched by the ramp-up in manufacturing of production-definition nacelle hardware at Safran Nacelles and Middle River Aircraft Systems.

(*) Nexcelle is a 50/50 company between Safran Nacelles and GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems