(Cary, N.C. – Oct. 28, 2016) – LORD Corporation – a leader in the management of vibration, noise and motion control – will showcase its leading-edge cockpit control inceptor that is featured on the Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) next week.
Having logged their first flights in November 2012 and December 2013, respectively, the midsize Legacy 500 and the mid-light Legacy 450 are the first jets in their classes to replace conventional controls with full fly-by-wire technology. Although LORD Corporation has worked with Embraer for many years on multiple platforms, the Legacy 450/500 program is the first LORD Fly-by-Wire Systems France (FbW) experience with Embraer.
LORD FbW supplies the complete cockpit control inceptors suite, including two side-sticks, two pedals, one throttle control unit, the flap/slat lever, as well as the speed brake unit. LORD Corporation’s cockpit control solutions are compact and lightweight, and can be seamlessly integrated into cockpit designs. The inceptors enable safer flights, reduce pilot workload and enhance pilot comfort. Further, they provide functional and ergonomic interfaces between pilots and various aircraft systems. LORD flight control inceptors can be tailored to sidestick or yoke based cockpit layouts.
The simulator creates a realistic cockpit environment for both a pilot and a co-pilot that includes noise, instrumentation, as well as the flight panel. With the support of Microsoft flight simulator
software and a very large LCD screen, participants will feel as if they are really in the cockpit of this fixed-wing aircraft. During flight operations, all controls and inceptors are real field products. The pilot can pre-select the aircraft position, choose a weather condition and even light the cockpit.
“The Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 are the first aircraft flying with the full range of our inceptor capability,” said Pierre Bettini, Business and Program Manager, LORD Corporation. “The throttle control quadrant as well as rudder and brake pedal units have been customized with Embraer. We are confident this technology emerges as a solution for other aircraft programs as well.”
LORD completed the acquisition of SKF’s Fly-by-Wire Systems France unit (FbW) in June. Based in Saint-Vallier, France, FbW designs and manufactures cockpit controls, sensors, dampers and electromechanical actuators primarily for fly-by-wire systems on commercial fixed-wing aircraft. FbW enjoys a history of innovation in its field beginning with its collaboration with Airbus for the first introduction of fly-by-wire technology on the A320 commercial jetliner. Its innovative product line is highly complementary to LORD capabilities in mechanical, electromechanical and dynamic systems.
The acquisition positions LORD FbW for further expansion into new markets and regions, and provides LORD a major aerospace engineering and manufacturing presence in Europe. Under LORD ownership, FbW will continue to operate out of its current location in France while retaining its current workforce.
To experience this technology first-hand, visit LORD Corporation’s simulated cockpit at booth 1244 at NBAA-BACE.
About LORD Corporation
LORD Corporation is a diversified technology and manufacturing company developing highly reliable adhesives, coatings, motion management devices, and sensing technologies that significantly reduce risk and improve product performance. For more than 90 years, LORD has worked in collaboration with our customers to provide innovative oil and gas, aerospace, defense, automotive and industrial solutions. With world headquarters in Cary, N.C., LORD has approximately 3,100 employees in 26 countries and operates 19 manufacturing facilities and 10 R&D centers worldwide. LORD actively promotes STEM education and many other community engagement initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.lord.com.
