TAI to Direct A350 XWB Aircrafts
The first aileron allowing the rotation of A350 XWB aircraft, which has been designed and manufactured by TAI Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), was delivered to AIRBUS at the ceremony held in Ankara with the participation of Undersecretary for Defence Industries Murad BAYAR, TAI Chaiman of the Board Yalçın KAYA, senior executives of AIRBUS, TAI officials and press members.
Speaking at the ceremony, TAI’s Chairman of the Board Yalçın KAYA said: "With the delivery realized today, TAI has once more proven that it is a world player in the aerospace industry. This delivery is the success of TAI’s capabilities and in-time delivery and competitive price policies. I would like to thank AIRBUS for placing their trust in us in new generation aircraft A350 project. With this project, AIRBUS has not only contributed to the qualified employment in Turkey, but also provided the technology transfer by working in close cooperation with TAI engineers during the design phase. TAI,in return, has remained faithful to this trust and proven its capabilities in the international market by in-time delivery of Ailerons to AIRBUS.
Klaus RICHTER, the Vice President of AIRBUS responsible for Supply Chain, also made a speech at the ceremony and said: "TAIhas been the partner of AIRBUS for long years and its contribution to AIRBUS programs has been increasing during years. Today TAI has become Tier-1 supplier of AIRBUS. As a consequence of this close collaboration, we are glad to take the delivery of the first aileronsof A350 XWB aircraft, which have been designed and manufactured by TAI’stalented personnel". RICHTER also added: "A350 XWB, which we have designed with our partners like TAI, will not only turn a new page in the efficiency of airlines with its high technology aerodynamic system, design and technological features, but also offer a more comfortable journey to passengers".
Undersecretary for Defence Industries Murad BAYAR stated that the projects in the civil aviation progress rapidly and an important market has been created related with this matter. "Our annual target in component production and engineering design for our aerospace industry is $10 billion. We are able to reach these figures in a very short time. TAI will deliver 10-12 aileron sets in a month" added BAYAR.
BAYAR also stated that TAI has become the main contractor in the Turkish aerospace industry and the future of Turkey in aviation will be much better.
TAI is the single source for A350 XWB ailerons.
The high-tech component, which was designed and manufactured by TAI, is a vital component of the aircraft for flight control.As long as the aircraft is manufactured, TAI will be the sole source for these components in the world and record a turnover of $500 million in aileron manufacturing. For long range and double-aisled A350 XWB, the first flight of which is planned to be realized in 2013, a big market of 6.425 aircraftsis estimated in the forthcoming years.
