Parker Aerospace's Flight Controls Certified for Gulfstream

The fly-by-wire actuation system developed by Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin Corp., has been certified as part of the type certificate Gulfstream received from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Gulfstream G650 business jet.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.'s ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650 received FAA certification in September. Gulfstream and the Parker Aerospace Control Systems Division have been working together since the program's launch to design and certify the G650's fully digital, fly-by-wire flight control system, which includes the world's first 3-axis business aircraft electric backup hydrostatic actuation (EBHA) subsystem.

EBHAs are electrically controlled actuators that are primarily hydraulically powered by one of the G650's two hydraulic systems, with electric power as a backup. The EBHA subsystem is self-contained, operating in the event of certain failure conditions, essentially eliminating the need for a third hydraulic system found in traditional aircraft system architectures. These actuators provide enhanced aircraft safety and flight control availability because of the different power sources.

Parker provides EBHAs for all the G650's primary control surfaces, including the elevator, rudder, aileron, and outboard multi-function spoiler. In addition, Parker provides electrohydraulic servoactuators (EHSAs) for all of the G650's primary control surfaces as well as remote electronics units, motor control electronics, and tubing assemblies. The flight control actuators are manufactured at the Parker Aerospace Control Systems Division facility in Ogden, UT, with the electronics manufactured at the division's headquarters in Irvine, CA.

The G650's fly-by-wire flight control system delivers many benefits, including flight-envelope protection, passenger comfort, increased redundancy, and reduced maintenance. As noted by Gulfstream in a recent statement, "the system is the result of extensive testing, leading to a redundant fly-by-wire system that exceeds certification requirements."

Parker Aerospace helped make business aviation history when the G650 completed flight with EBHA mode in December 2010. It became the first business aircraft to control flight using an electrically powered, fly-by-wire, EBHA backup flight control actuation system.

"Parker is thrilled to have its components on the now-certified Gulfstream G650," says Greg Crowe, vice president of operations Parker Aerospace. "We are proud to be a part of this game-changing aircraft and showing what our advanced, fly-by-wire flight controls can achieve."

When flight with EBHA mode was completed, Pres Henne, senior vice president of programs, engineering, and test, said, "The system performed flawlessly. There was no difference in handling qualities between the electrically and hydraulically powered modes."

Edited from 4-Traders.