SIGMA has commissioned its new multi-cell engine test facility

Citation

(2001), "SIGMA has commissioned its new multi-cell engine test facility", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773daf.006

SIGMA has commissioned its new multi-cell engine test facility

SIGMA has commissioned its new multi-cell engine test facilityKeywords: SIGMA aerospace, Aero engines, Gas turbines

SIGMA aerospace, a member of Vector Aerospace Corporation, earlier this year commissioned its new, multi-cell gas turbine engine test facility at Pyestock, Hampshire, UK (Plate 2). The facility incorporates the most-up-to-date engine test and diagnostic technologies currently available in Europe.

Aviation and industrial turbine repair and overhaul is experiencing rapid growth world-wide and this is creating increased demand for facilities and services. Vector Aerospace recognises the opportunity this presents and continues to position and invest in its drive to become the world's leading independent repair and overhaul provider.

Plate 2 SIGMA aerospace has commissioned a new, multi-cell gas turbine engine test facility at Pyestock, Hampshire, UK

The facility's test beds are correlated to test engines from SIGMA's current engine lines which include: Rolls Royce T56 turboprop and 501 turbine series of aero and industrial engines, Rolls Royce Dart turboprop engine and the Rolls Royce Conway jet engine. In addition, testing is also performed on the Honeywell ALF 502 and LF 507 engines for Honeywell and a number of other third party customers.

With a view to future growth, SIGMA has designed the facility to accommodate a variety of turboprop/turboshaft engines up to 10,000 shaft horsepower and turbofan engines of up to 40,000lbs thrust. The broad range of thrust engines includes the CFM 56 series, IAE V25 00 series, BR 71 0 series, PW 203 7 series, PW JT8D series and Rolls Royce Spey and Tay.

Commenting on the investment in the facility, Stephen Jones, managing director of SIGMA said:

The company has been in the engine overhaul business for 65 years and has an unparalleled track record. In 1999, we tested 772 engines and, in the last 20 years, over 3,000 Allison engines have passed through our workshops. Since joining Vector in 1998, our turnover has increased by 30 per cent and this facility will help us maintain a healthy growth pattern. The enhanced capability of our new facility will allow SIGMA aerospace to play an ever-increasing part in Vector's dynamic and rapidly growing aerospace group. This investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to our customers and the industry.

The official opening ceremony of the facility was held on 24 January 2001 with speeches of welcome being given by Mark Dobbin, chairman and chief executive officer of Vector, with the response by Stephen Jones, managing director of SIGMA aerospace. The thrust cell was opened by Group Captain Graham S. Evans, team leader, Air to Air Refuelling & Communications Support, Royal Air Force, by starting a Conway engine from the RAF's VC 10 tanker fleet; the turboshaft test cell was formally opened by Major General Robert De-Witte, director of Support, Belgian Air Force, who then started a T56 engine.

The test facility was designed, engineered, constructed and commissioned, as a fully turnkey operation, by MDS Aero Support Corporation of Canada, world leaders in the provision of engine test facilities and test systems for aviation and industrial gas turbines. Stephen Jones acknowledged the efforts of MDS and also the co-operation received from DERA during the move to the new facility. "The hard work of all involved minimised the disruption to our customers and we greatly appreciate their efforts", he said.

Further details available from SIGMA aerospace. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8688 7777; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8688 6603; E-mail: siones(@sigmaaerospace.com