Cavotec, a leading supplier of innovative power solutions, and leading airport equipment innovator, said it has completed a two-week series of intensive trials of its patented 'PCAir Caddy' with leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

Commenting on this technological breakthrough and implications on the region,  Thomas Widegren, executive chairman of Cavotec Middle East, said: "We at Cavotec are extremely proud with this successful development as this proves that we are always at the forefront of innovative energy saving technology."

"We are confident that our PCAir technology will be used to cool aircrafts in the region especially the A380. At Cavotec we are always keen on bringing to the region the highest technology, simple application and lowest negative environmental impact.” 

In normal circumstances It is very difficult to cool an aircraft on the ground using conventional systems as the inlet temperature should be at least -5C, however, the Cavotec PCAir system is unlike any other air-based technology on the market, expanding dry compressed air to produce 100m³/min preconditioned air at -25C° at the inlet.”

When in a parking position, a pilot will likely run the plane’s APU (auxiliary power unit) to cool the aircraft, as often times conventional systems are ineffective.

On average, a plane’s APU can burn anywhere from 200 to 600 liters of fuel per hour, generating pollution at the airport and consuming costly fuel which should be used to fly the plane – not cool it on the ground.

The Cavotec PCAir system provides a dual benefit of reducing pollution and putting expenses, making it beneficial to all airport constituencies: the airlines, airport operators, and the surrounding local communities.

The culmination of in house testing and the two week trials at Airbus proved that the Cavotec PCAir system operates effectively, having successfully delivered -25C° ‘dry air’ in environments with ambient temperatures of up to 40C°.

Most importantly, the PCAir system was tested on and cooled in under 30 minutes Airbus’ largest wide body aircraft, the A380, proving the system’s adaptability for the entire range of Airbus fleet.

Cavotec has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Airbus, supplying in ground supply systems for its production hangars and delivery positions, including those for the A380 programme.

Earlier this year Cavotec won an order to supply 12 in ground utility systems for the new Airbus A320 Final Assembly Line in Tianjin, China.

In addition, Cavotec has supplied the in ground supply systems for the Airbus A400M production hangars in Seville, Spain, and produces a full range of tow bars for all Airbus aircraft types.

At the moment the final commissioning of the 26 gate Cavotec installations within Concourse 2 in Dubai International Airport is being done, pop-up technical pit systems for 400Hz and PCAir supplies.-TradeArabia News Service