Dassault Aviation selects PPG for unique bending and materials expertise
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 22, 2013 — PPG Industries’ (NYSE: PPG) aerospace transparencies group has designed uniquely shaped, lightweight glass windshields and side cockpit windows for the new Dassault Falcon 5X business jet that accentuate the cockpit’s aerodynamics and afford expansive visibility.
AESTHETICALLY PLEASING – A pilot windshield made by PPG Industries for the new Dassault Falcon 5X business jet is looked over by project team members Nigel J. Thomas, PPG segment manager, general aviation transparencies, and Veronica Frain, PPG program manager, aerospace transparencies. The bird-resistant all-glass curved windshield has SURFACE SEAL(R) coating to enhance water shedding without wipers, and the heating system is designed to meet challenging requirements including aesthetics and visibility. The windshields will afford expansive visibility. (Photo: Business Wire)
According to Mark Hood, PPG global market director for general aviation transparencies, PPG is under contract with Dassault Aviation to provide production and spare windshields and side cockpit windows, which are the largest for a Falcon jet.
“Dassault Aviation wanted curved glass transparencies having the lightest weight possible, and our unique bending and materials expertise enabled us to propose designs exceeding their expectations,” Hood said. “We are proud we were selected and look forward to growing our relationship with Dassault Aviation.”
Arthur C. Scott, PPG global market director for commercial transparencies, had been in Hood’s current role when PPG secured the business. Scott said, “This is the first Dassault airplane for which we will supply production cockpit windows, and we are pleased we will be able to join Dassault in creating a great new aircraft.”
The windshields and side cockpit windows are designed with three plies of HERCULITE(R) II chemically strengthened glass to be strong and lightweight and resist impact by a 4-pound bird at 350 knots. The aircraft will not have windshield wipers, so the windshields and windows have SURFACE SEAL(R) coating to enhance water shedding for visibility. The heating system has been designed to meet challenging requirements including aesthetics and visibility.
Hood said PPG has completed qualification testing for Safety of Flight and is ready to begin production to support the program schedule as directed by Dassault. The windshields and windows will be made at PPG’s Huntsville, Ala., plant.
PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer and distributor of aerospace coatings, sealants, and packaging and application systems.
PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Sales in 2012 were $15.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.
Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark and Herculite and Surface Seal are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
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