Airbus order for Hycom & VIRO engineering

Hycom, a hydraulic systems manufacturer, has secured a mega-order from aircraft manufacturer Airbus, for a total value of 7 million euros. This assignment was developed in close collaboration with Hengelo-based VIRO engineering.
Both parties have already been collaborating for Airbus for several years. Their combined strengths allow to deliver a total solution, from innovative concept development all the way to implementation. Using a common proposal, which focused on cost-reducing concepts, both parties were able to offer Airbus the ideal solution.

The test installations at the centre of the assignment will be used for testing the flap and slat systems of the Airbus A350. The flap and slat systems, which are normally integrated into the wings, will be mounted onto a test frame. The test frames have a length of ca. 30 metres and a height of 6 metres maximum. Similar systems were already delivered previously for the A400M, together with Hycom. The very high requirements for the test installations stem from the high safety requirements established in the aviation sector. The necessary precision and reliability require high-grade mechanical engineering and an extensive analytical validation. VIRO engineering has specialised departments for this.

The A350, which is slated for commissioning in five different versions starting in 2013, must compete with the Boeing 787. With the A350, Airbus, which was created through a consortium of several European aircraft manufacturers to offset the American competition, claims to be able to deliver a passenger aircraft that boasts maintenance costs no less than 10 per cent lower, and 7 per cent lower fuel consumption than the Boeing 787.