Page 19 - World Airnews Magazine February 2020 Edition

HELICOPTERS NEWS

THE ACH130 ASTON MARTIN A SOUTH AFRICAN

EDITION SUCCESS STORY

By Johan Steyn
onto luxury leather features, tastefully Aston Martin Vice President and Chief

positioned throughout the cabin. Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said:

he ACH130 Aston Martin Edition, The Stirling Green-themed external scheme, “We have our own set of automotive de-

Tthe fi rst off ering from the recent- which is already flying on the first aircraft, sign principles but in recent years we have
ly-announced partnership between Aston features a painted gradient, which fades down been learning how to apply our principles
into Jet Black on the underside of the helicop-
Martin Lagonda and Airbus Corporate Heli- ter with Skyfall Silver around the cowlings. to other areas of design, such as architec-

ture, motorcycles and now helicopters. This
copters, was revealed today at Courchevel Further external liveries are available with first application of our design practices to

in the French Alps. other Aston Martin paint colours including a helicopter posed a number of interesting

This stylish special edition of the ACH130 Xenon Grey, Arizona and Ultramarine Black. challenges but we have enjoyed working
helicopter comes equipped with a range of Inside, the automotive-inspired cabin, through them. Beauty is of vital importance

four interior and exterior designs gener- which offers a higher level of comfort, is to Aston Martin and to our customers and

ated by Aston Martin which will delight trimmed in Pure Black ultra-suede with a we think the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition

helicopter owners and pilots who appreci- palette of selectable leathers comprising Ox- is an inherently beautiful machine. It pro-

ate the pleasures of possessing and driving ford Tan, Pure Black, Cormorant and Ivory. vided a wonderful canvas for our team to
high performance bespoke luxury cars. On the rear of the front seats the same work on so we now look forward to seeing
The aeronautical designers at Airbus Cor- brogue detailing that is found in a DB11 runs everybody’s reaction.”

porate Helicopters (ACH) and the automo- down the centre of the seat and the doors have Frédéric Lemos, Head of Airbus Corpo-

tive designers at Aston Martin have worked been trimmed with leather to provide passen- rate Helicopters, also commented: “The
closely together for over a year, marrying gers with comfortable touch points during their ACH130 Aston Martin Edition is optimally

ACH’s key values of excellence, quality and flight. By using materials from the Aston Martin positioned in the market for hands-on

service with Aston Martin’s commitment to automotive palette the interior of this special owners who draw satisfaction from person-

beauty, handcrafting and automotive art to edition of the ACH130 sits in harmony with the ally piloting their aircraft and it generates “The introduction of these local supply agreements not only

bring a new level of aesthetics and rigorous interior of Aston Martin sports cars. strong brand-loyalty. In the same way increases the local content attributed to the product, but improves

attention to detail to the helicopter market. Each of these special edition helicopters Aston Martin’s products are cars for drivers erosud Interiors (Pty) Ltd started their journey in 1997 the competitiveness of the Aerosud product internationally. As we

can grow our business with Boeing we will grow the local supply
Available in four external liveries with will have a plaque included on the instru- who relish being at the wheel and they Aand became the fi rst Boeing approved supplier in Africa chain through our SME initiatives, “said Brian Ingram, Aerosud

complementary interiors, the helicop- ment panel which shows the partnership inspire a comparable attachment to the on a B-777 work package for British Airways in 1998. The work supply chain director.

ters are embellished with Aston Martin logos, the registration of the aircraft, the brand. So they are the perfect partner for package required design and engineering, testing, Boeing engi-

signature elements, starting with the iconic edition number and the owner’s name, us in developing this superb new ACH130 neering approval and FAA approval as part of a buyer furnished SUPPORTING THE CUSTOMER DEMAND AND IN CLOSE

Aston Martin wings, which are embossed should they wish to have it included. Aston Martin Edition.” Q equipment (BFE) supply process. PROXIMITY

Today, Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd has a longstanding record of As part of the contract and in support of BCA’s demanding

reliable supply at global competitiveness levels and a working rela- production schedule and delivery lead time requirements, Aerosud

tionship with Boeing Commercial Airplanes for 20 years. has set-up a forward stocking location close to BCA’s operations in

In the past 10 years, Aerosud has delivered more than 700 000 Everett and Renton.

parts and assemblies to Boeing production and final assembly lines Aerosud’s long standing product support partner Vartan with

in the Puget Sound area alone. After a competitive bidding process their extensive international support footprint has been contract-

Aerosud was awarded a five year contract for the production of ed to manage this location in partnership with Aerosud. More

more than 650 interior part numbers for BCA. than 1 000 spare parts are now being held in close proximity to the
The contract was due to start last month with production taking Boeing plant and can be delivered within hour’s notice.

place at the Aerosud facility in Pretoria, South Africa. It is valued at “We are proud to be part of this innovative approach which will

more than (US) $10 million per year. ensure Boeings production ramp up requirements are being met,”

In its quest to negotiate the best possible deal and in support of said Sven Kempf from Vartan.

BCA’s Partnering For Success (PFS) initiatives, this round of com-

petitive bidding was, for the first time, characterised by the BCA STAYING RELEVANT IN SOUTH AFRICA

negotiation team being involved with third party vendors to ensure During the past two years alone, Aerosud has invested more than

the best material prices for the full benefit of BCA. Through its (US) $4 million in plant and equipment upgrades and expansions

deep understanding of the products Aerosud was also able to real- to maintain the required production capacity and technical

ise significant cost savings by recommending alternative materials capabilities, as the international standards and expectations

for certain components. continue to creep upwards, driving higher levels of compliance

“Aerosud is optimistic that the combination of past performance and certification.

confirmed by this contract award and being part of the BCA strate-

gic supplier development programme will lead to future oppor- AEROSUD RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS AS/EN9100 REV D

tunities to significantly increase its SOW to Boeing, said Jan van SURVEILLANCE AUDIT

Loggerenberg, Aerosud business development director. Aerosud is also an active member in developing young talent

As a result of the increased scope and volume of work which the through its artisan training academy and internships for engineers

Boeing contract has brought to Aerosud, the South African supply and technologists, as part of its workforce consisting of 650

and stockist industry is also benefiting. employees, with an average age of 36. The company is also active

The Boeing supply chain to Aerosud is complex and dominat- in the support and incubation of several SME companies in the

ed by US imports of raw materials. The additional volumes have commercial aerospace sector. Q

created the critical mass that justifies the localisation of ‘supplier

agency agreements’ with international manufacturers. Article courtesy: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/

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