Spirit AeroSystems unveils test pylon

There's a joke the pylon guys at Spirit AeroSystems like to tell their counterparts in the fuselage division.

They might build the fuselage, but "if you don't have the nacelles and pylons, you're not going anywhere without us," John Pilla, Spirit's senior vice president and general manager of its propulsion segment, said Tuesday.

Spirit unveiled its first test pylon for Bombardier Aerospace's CSeries single-aisle airplane at a ceremony Tuesday morning inside the plant.

The pylon holds the engine to the wing and houses systems such as gas and hydraulic lines. Spirit's work includes designing and building the pylon along with the systems, strut-to-wing hardware and the aft fairing package.

Bombardier is Spirit's first customer for pylons other than Boeing. That meant it had to get to know Bombardier and its requirements, officials said.

It's also Bombardier's first relationship with Spirit, Bombardier vice president and general manager for the CSeries Rob Dewar said.

"When you start a new relationship, you're never really sure how it's going to work out," Dewar said. "I'm here to say, Spirit has gone beyond our expectations."

Spirit was awarded the contract in June 2009.

The Montreal-based planemaker selected Spirit because of its experience and capabilities with pylons, Dewar said.

Bombardier has 260 firm orders and options for the CSeries family of single-aisle, commercial aircraft designed for the 100- to 149-seat market. The number of orders represents the first few years of production, Dewar said.

"We have a lot of momentum on sales going forward," he said.

The first CSeries aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2013.

Spirit, Bombardier and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney worked together to define structural interface points and complete the pylon's design, Spirit said.

The pylon is made of lightweight aluminum, titanium and composite components and is a combination of procured items from suppliers, Spirit-made components and Bombardier-furnished equipment.

The work with Bombardier "cements our position as a good supplier for the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)," Pilla said.

This story was originally published July 13, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Spirit AeroSystems unveils test pylon."