Managing bleed air

Meggitt Fluid Controls has won a multi-million dollar contract from Embraer to develop and produce the pneumatic bleed air system for its executive Legacy 500 midsize and 450 midlight jets.

The Legacy 500 will take up to 12 passengers including two flight crew and will have a maximum range of 3,000 nautical miles (5560 km) with four passengers.

The Legacy 450 can carry up to nine passengers including two flight crew and will have a maximum range of 2,300 nautical miles (4260 km) with four passengers. Both jets will have a maximum operational altitude of 45,000ft (13,700m).

The pneumatic bleed air systems, consisting of two regulating and seven shut-off valves and a pneumatic system controller, will manage the bleed air from the engines’ high and low pressure outputs for temperature and pressure control and maintain anti-ice systems and the aircraft’s cargo, cabin and cockpit environments. The controller will manage the system’s mechanical fluid control devices, ensuring system safety and integrity.

The systems will be developed and manufactured in Meggitt Fluid Controls’ facilities in North Hollywood and Corona, California. The Legacy 500 will enter service in the second half of 2012 and the Legacy 450 in the second half of 2013.

Separately, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems (MABS) has won the contract for the 14in main wheel, two-pair carbon brake, 6in nose wheel and brake-by-wire brake control system for the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets.