Aviation Expo/China 2011 provided an excellent opportunity to “feel the pulse” of this  country’s aviation sector, and enabled Nexcelle to bring its functional integrated propulsion system (IPS) scale model to China for the first time – highlighting some of the IPS concepts planned for COMAC’s C919 jetliner.

There was a high level of energy at the China National Convention Center as today’s executives, managers and engineers were joined by students and young people who represent the Chinese aviation industry’s next generation of decision-makers.

Our IPS scale model literally was scrutinized inch-by-inch as the crowd made detailed inspections, while many attendees took close-up photos – giving it a “starring” role at the show.

There clearly was much energy among the young audience as they asked questions about the IPS’ advantages and wanted to better understand the importance of propulsion system decisions for their country’s newest airliner.

As a member of the Nexcelle team, I look forward to the C919 becoming a reality, allowing generations of Chinese travelers to benefit from the integration propulsion system that we and CFM International are readying today.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

When asked what distinguishes our approach to truly integrated propulsion systems, I usually begin by explaining how Nexcelle benefits from the common operating practices shared with our partner companies – Middle River Aircraft Systems and Aircelle – which have been demonstrated and validated in the business activities of their corporate parents, GE and Safran.

An excellent example is shown in our ongoing relationship with CFM International, the highly-successful 37-year-old joint venture of GE and Safran that has become the reference in successful aviation industry collaboration – on which Nexcelle’s own operations are patterned.

We see daily benefits from these shared practices in our role as the nacelle developer for CFM International’s LEAP-X1C integrated propulsion system on the COMAC C919 jetliner, for which Nexcelle continues to successfully execute its technology roadmap.

This was evident at the most recent CFM International-Nexcelle quarterly session – called the Program Review Meeting (PRM) – which is part of the regular gatherings bringing together our senior leadership for a constant, open, flow of information. The latest CFM International-Nexcelle PRM was held at Snecma’s propulsion center in Villaroche, France, and covered topics ranging from engine and aircraft test plans to certification scheduling – all of which roll into the LEAP-X1C’s master integrated plan.

Such PRMs also allow us to focus on design evolution and tradeoffs, with everyone literally speaking the same language and working as one integrated team, thereby eliminating the barriers often found in a traditional prime contractor-supplier relationship.

Information discussed at these Nexcelle-CFM International PRMs builds on Nexcelle’s own quarterly Program Review Meetings, which are attended by key Aircelle and Middle River Aircraft Systems personnel from management, engineering, production, customer support, contracting and marketing.

The overall flow goes all the way up to the customer level in CFM International’s regular PRMs with COMAC – in which Nexcelle also participates – effectively closing the loop on one example of the effective operating rhythm framed by common operating practices applied across the LEAP-1X program.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

The 2011 Paris Air Show marked another milestone in our company’s fast-paced history, as it was the signing venue for the purchase agreement of Nexcelle’s nacelle system on the GE Aviation GE Passport 20 jet engine.

For this important accord, I put “pen to paper” with Brad Mottier, the Vice President and General Manager of GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation Operation.

We were in good company, as Brad and I were joined by members of our parent companies’ extended family: Vincent Mascré, Aircelle Chairman and CEO; Nate Manning, the President of GE Aviation Mechanical Systems; Chuck Nugent, General Manager of GE Small Commercial Engines; and Jacques Chausse, Commercial General Manager of GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation Operation.

From Nexcelle’s creation in 2008, we have demonstrated the value of bringing together the full resources of our two parents: GE’s Middle River Aircraft Systems and the Safran group’s Aircelle.  Their capabilities enabled us to win the nacelle system for CFM International’s LEAP-X1C on the COMAC C919 airliner in 2009, followed by our selection in 2010 for the GE Passport 20 – which will power Bombardier’s Global 7000 and 8000 business jets.

Nexcelle is well on track in developing the technology roadmap for both engines, and we remain committed to ensuring the GE Passport 20 and LEAP-X1C provide their future operators with all the benefits that come from the integrated propulsion system concept.

• Review my video clip from GE Aviation’s exhibit stand at the Paris Air Show, where the GE Passport 20 engine was depicted in an artist’s concept.

• Read the press release for more information on the purchase agreement signing ceremony for Nexcelle’s supply of the GE Passport 20 nacelle system.

It’s not often that an exhibitor at the Paris Air Show – the world’s largest aerospace industry gathering – can claim to be able to stop the crowds in their tracks.  With our debut of Nexcelle’s integrated propulsion system functional scale model at Le Bourget this week, that’s exactly what we have been doing!

Nexcelle built this model to better illustrate many of the IPS technologies and concepts we are developing, including how the integrated O-duct translates aft for the thrust reverse cycle, and also moves further aft into a maintenance position. Our model helps demonstrate some of this concept’s aerodynamic and weight advantages, as well as its value for maintenance.

In addition, the model illustrates the IPS’ innovative mounting concepts.  From the unique fan cowl mounting structure…to the optimized forward and aft engine mounts…and finally, the thrust reverser attachments to the pylon – the nacelle and engine mount systems result in improved system performance and reduced fuel burn.

Using the scale IPS model, we’ve been able to demonstrate these important features to the industry.

So for Nexelle’s first-ever appearance at an air show as an exhibitor, it’s been a great week for all of the team.

• My video clip from the Le Bourget exhibit hall provides a first-hand look at our IPS functional scale model in action.

The latest quarterly Program Review Meeting (PRM) was held this week in Nexcelle’s home city of Cincinnati, Ohio, marking the 10th such gathering of our company’s leadership team.

Not only was this PRM a numerical milestone, it also confirmed just how far Nexcelle has progressed during a relatively short time in supporting our purpose of: “Inventing smart nacelle systems for tomorrow’s world travel.”

Nexcelle has matured rapidly as a company – starting from its formation as the newest entrant into the world’s nacelle marketplace, then developing the foundation of its operations, and now successfully executing on technological roadmaps for the two major aircraft programs that we have won: COMAC’s C919 jetliner, and the Bombardier 7000/8000 business jets.

Building on the combined strengths of our two parent companies – Aircelle of the Safran group, and GE’s Middle River Aircraft Systems – Nexcelle is proving its capabilities as a key player in supporting the development of new, more integrated propulsion systems.

We are showing the value that Nexcelle brings to the jet engine manufacturers as our teams work side-by-side with them, delivering on its commitment of providing seemless integration.

While still a young company, Nexcelle already has established its reputation in the aviation industry, positioning us for the future. To learn more, come meet our team at this month’s Paris Air Show. We’ll be on the Safran booth at Le Bourget Airport (Hall 2A, Stand A232), with a very special first-hand look at many of the advantages of Nexcelle’s approach to integrated propulsion systems.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

In today’s business world, putting the customer first is a must.  Nexcelle clearly understands this, which is why the customer-oriented focus has been a key element in our strategy from the company’s creation.

Today’s announcement that Mike Long has been appointed as Nexcelle’s Customer Support Director is the latest confirmation of our policy.  He has spent more than 30 years with GE Aviation, and brings extensive senior leadership experience as a customer support manager with airlines in various regions of the world.

Mike fully understands the customer support system, and will use his expertise in creating a network that draws on the strengths and capabilities of Nexcelle’s two parent companies: GE’s Middle River Aircraft Systems and the Safran group’s Aircelle.

With Mike’s appointment, I have completed the Nexcelle executive lineup.  This provides us with a strong management team as we deliver on our commitments for the nacelle systems on COMAC’s C919 jetliner and Bombardier’s Global 7000/8000 business jets, while also positioning Nexcelle for program opportunities in the future.

Please join me in welcoming Mike to the Nexcelle family.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

Showing a company’s capabilities to its customer is an important element of building long-term business relationships.

In this context, I had the pleasure of welcoming GE Aviation’s Brad Mottier and Judd Tressler this month to the Toulouse, France facility of Aircelle – which is one of Nexcelle’s two parent companies.

Brad is the vice president and general manager of GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation Operation, while Judd is the Bombardier program leader. Therefore, they are our customers in Nexcelle’s supply of the nacelle system for GE’s TechX integrated engines that will power the new Bombardier Global 7000 and 8000 business jets.

During their visit to Toulouse, Brad and Judd were able to see Aircelle’s capabilities at this modern facility, which currently handles a range of responsibilities for engine/nacelle integration – or podding, as it is known in the industry.

We also discussed Nexcelle’s development of the TechX nacelle, which is on schedule, as well as unique opportunities that GE/Nexcelle integrated propulsion system (IPS) will bring to the aftermarket.

All of us at Nexcelle look forward to working with Brad, Judd and the GE team as we introduce the IPS concept to the business aviation sector with the TechX and Bombardier 7000/8000 bizjets.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

Our latest quarterly PRM (Program Review Meeting) underscored Nexcelle’s continued progress on the current two nacelle programs, while also demonstrating the maturing relationship with parent companies Aircelle and Middle River Aircraft Systems.

The PRM – held this month in Toulouse, France – was the ninth we’ve organized since Nexcelle’s creation. These meetings provided a key status of Nexcelle’s development programs; the technology roadmap progress, for which we remain on track; along with the manufacturing readiness levels at both Aircelle and MRAS, which now includes the kickoff of long lead-time tooling.

Also part of the meeting’s focus were the advances in establishing Nexcelle’s operating systems, which include our customer services portal, the development of our IT infrastructure, and the set-up of our financial and accounting functions.

A further sign of Nexcelle’s “coming of age” was the participation at this PRM of our full executive team, including Executive Vice Presidents Jan Beseler and Jean-Christophe Dalla Toffola.

All of this demonstrates that Nexcelle is ready to deliver on its commitments for the COMAC C919 jetliner’s integrated propulsion system, as well as for the nacelle on Bombardier’s Global 7000 and 8000 business jets.

Our excellent progress in all areas will contribute to the aviation industry’s growing acceptance of the integrated propulsion system concept, for which Nexcelle will continue its pioneering role.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

Today’s announcement on the appointment of Nexcelle’s two executive vice presidents marks another important step in our creation of a world-class management team that will deliver on Nexcelle’s current program wins and position us for future business opportunities.

The addition of Jan Beseler and Jean-Christophe Dalla Toffola to our executive lineup brings two proven industry veterans with expertise in jet engine nacelle integration and engineering, international partnerships and the supply chain.

Jan comes to us from GE Aviation, where his 19-year career has included executive experience in engine build-up engineering and program leadership, while Jean-Christophe has held vice president positions at Aircelle for partnerships, internal supply chain and small nacelles.

With Jean-Christophe and Jan now integrated in the Nexcelle “family,” my management team is nearly complete.  I will use my blog postings to keep you informed about future announcements.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle

This month’s landmark acquisition of Bombardier aircraft by NetJets includes 20 firm bookings for the new Global 7000 and Global 8000 – an important endorsement for the business jets that will be powered by GE TechX engines equipped with Nexcelle’s nacelle and thrust reverser.

The TechX represents Nexcelle’s second major nacelle system win since our company’s creation, and we are committed to this powerplant’s success.

Nexcelle has completed key design and definition milestones as part of the TechX program. These results are a testament to how well the program is going, and reflects the excellent Nexcelle-GE working relationship in evolving the new 16,500 lb.- thrust-class engine.

Steve Walters
President – Nexcelle