Fly-by-wire control

Parker Aerospace has been selected as the exclusive supplier for a fly-by-wire flight-control system for all new Bombardier Aerospace widebody aircraft programmes.

Fly-by-wire flight controls replace the conventional hydro-mechanical flight-control system that uses a series of pulleys and/or rods to directly control flight surfaces.

With fly-by-wire flight control, pilot inputs are interpreted by on-board computers to ensure that the signals being sent to the control surfaces optimise the aircraft’s performance.

Parker Aerospace will develop a complete generic fly-by-wire system that will then be customised and manufactured for each aircraft program, starting with the CSeries.

Parker estimates that the deal could generate revenues of $3.5bn (£1.75bn) over the life of the programmes.

The five-abreast CSeries aircraft – launched on July 13 2008 – are designed to meet the needs of the 100- to 149-seat commercial aircraft market, estimated by Bombardier Aerospace at 6,300 aircraft, and represent more than $250bn (£125bn) in revenue over the next 20 years. Bombardier expects to be able to capture up to half of this market.