Vital Link is pleased to be exhibiting at the following aviation events:
Vital Link Europe Ltd, (VLE) a leading manufacturer of aero engine test facilities, based in Camberley Surrey, is pleased to announce their selection by Piaggio Aero as the “Turnkey” supplier for their new PW200 engine test capability. The PW200 series engine test facility (ETF) will be designed to test the complete range of PW200 engines including the market leading 206 and 207 series which are produced at the Piaggio Aero factory in Finale Ligure, Italy. Piaggio Aero currently holds a 25% stake in the Pratt & Whitney Canada Joint Venture Company P&WC Turbo Engines Corporation.
David Greggor Vital Link Europe’s Business Development Manager said:
“Selection by Piaggio Aero for this project is in recognition of the advantages of the VLE solution and the quality products produced by our experienced personnel. We are delighted to be selected for this important project which is critical to the success of this engine programme.”
The selection of VLE as the ETF supplier follows on from their recent successful projects for the P&WC PT6 series and other turboshaft projects for Rolls-Royce GNOME and GEM engines.
Vital Link Europe Ltd are exhibiting at Farnborough this year as a member of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) stand H1/B18.
Throttle System Upgrade
VLE recently completed a FADAS™ throttle system upgrade of a European turboshaft test cell. This key military facility has been serviced and maintained by Vital Link for a number of years and this most recent upgrade will reduce test time, improve reliability and ensure many more years of test cell serviceability. Pictured is VL’s latest addition to the quadrant range which can be configured as a single or multiple unit to operate virtually any gas turbine. The VL series of throttle quadrants and actuators includes ATEX rated actuators for test stand mounting and are ideally suited for test cell retrofit applications.
Vital Link Europe Ltd. has successfully completed cross correlation of its recent PWC PT6T test cell upgrade at Euravia Engineering in Lancashire, UK. Vital Link was contracted to upgrade a PT6A test cell to enable it to test the larger PT6T 'twin-pac' range of engines. This included the installation and commissioning of a new Dynomometer, a fully electronic throttle system, three overboard Oil Cooling Systems, and a state of the art Vital Link FADAS™ control system.
Main features of the project upgrade include support for a wide range of PT6T variants, removable and interchangeble test carts, dedicated overboard oil cooling systems as well as a full FADAS™ suite of data acquisition software which provides instant engine data information on a custom designed GUI as well as straight forward communication with the OEM's Performance Program. Vital Link also utilised its newly developed electronic throttle system which is capable of precise control, whilst also maintaining optimum response times and travel speeds.
The cross correlation process was a trouble free excercise with PWC providing certification within a week of correlation testing, and the customer is already looking to begin full PT6T overhaul testing in the near future.
Josh Skinner Vital Link Project Manager said:
"The successful outcome of this project has once more demonstrated Vital Link's capability to provide a modern and dependable engine test facility, and we look forward to applying this knowledge and experience on future PWC engines. Whether it is a test cell modification or a completely new build, Vital Link Europe Ltd. has the capability to adapt to the customers requirements and provide a modern and cost effective engine test facility."
Vital Link Turbo-shaft Test Cells – Outstanding Success
With excellent positive feedback from both Test Cell Operators and Engines OEM’s alike, Vital Link’s test systems lead the way in turboshaft testing. Designed to minimize installation time and requiring only simple concrete foundations Vital Link shaft engine test cells can support a range of engines from a wide variety of manufactures.
VL is pleased to announce accreditation to ISO 9000:2008 Vital Link Europe Ltd. has successfully passed the requirements for this new Quality Standard.
Following competitive tendering Vital Link has been selected by a customer to provide our Turboshaft /Turboprop variant FADAS™ Electronic Throttle System as an upgrade to an existing test cell. Key among the selection criteria were the safety features, accuracy, response time and flexibility of the system. The Vital Link solution will provide full engine control to the GE T700 engine and the GE T64 turboprop engines from a single throttle quadrant.
The UK MoD Helicopter Engines Integrated Project Team (HEIPT) has awarded Vital Link Europe (VLE) a significant in-service support contract for the GNOME engine test facility at RNAS Yeoviliton. VLE provided the minimum risk solution to the HEIPT for the support of this critical facility used for to the UK’s search and rescue helicopters and Britain’s front line troops. Minimising facility downtime is a crucial factor in the selection of VLE for this contract with Vital Link Europe, the Design Authority (DA) for this GNOME facility, able to provide a complete support package including scheduled and un-scheduled maintenance, calibration services, initial and follow-on software and spares support.
The Danish Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has awarded Vital Link Europe (VLE) a Contract to provide their new Roll-Royce GEM engine test facility in support their Lynx Helicopter Fleet. The VLE offered system was clearly the best choice solution from a number of bidders who participated in a European Wide tender for this prestigious “Turnkey” Project. VLE are providing the complete facility together with total maintenance and support services. Key features of this portable, modular facility include VLE’s FADAS™ fully automatic data acquisition and electronic throttle systems together with proven test stand dynamometer and support systems.
Vital Link Europe is pleased to announce their selection as the “Turnkey Supplier” to an independent European Engine Overhaul Company to provide test capability for Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop engines including the PT6A and PT6T “Twinpack”. The project includes adaptation of an existing facility and the provision of a new FADAS™ data acquisition system as well as a new dynamometer and drive chain components.
Vital link Europe is pleased to announce that we have now been accredited to the latest ISO 9001-2008 standard having successfully completed our annual UKAS accredited audited.
“Congratulations, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the rest of the Rolls Royce Defence Aerospace, cross calibration team to thank you and the other members of your team, for their cooperation and help throughout the project.
The Rolls Royce team was greatly impressed with the level of knowledge, enthusiasm and professionalism that we have found, without exception, from (Vital Link Europe Ltd) personnel and engineers of all disciplines. These personnel are a credit to your company and we very much look forward to working with you again in the future.”
Best Regards,
Malcom Smith
Senior Project Engineer - Customer Test
Rolls-Royce PLc.