PPG to develop larger cabin-window assemblies for Gulfstream G650 jet

13-Apr-09

US-based PPG Industries' aerospace transparencies business has been awarded a long-term contract by Gulfstream Aerospace to design, develop, test and manufacture cockpit windows and window assemblies for the Gulfstream G650 business jet, which offers the longest range, fastest speed, largest cabin and most advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet. A new PPG plastic material that resists crazing to maintain optical clarity will be used on the passenger-cabin windows, which, as aviation's largest, will provide passengers with better viewing and afford a brighter cabin with more natural light, according to Arthur Scott, PPG global sales director for commercial original-equipment manufacturing (OEM) transparencies. The proprietary PPG plastic will be laminated to stretched acrylic for increased stiffness and assembled with an inboard coated glass panel that can be heated for antifogging. The side cockpit windows are larger than those on in-production, large-cabin Gulfstream business jets to enhance visibility for the pilot and copilot, Scott said. PPG will produce the cockpit windows and complete window assembly at its Huntsville aircraft products plant for delivery to Gulfstream's Savannah (Georgia, USA) facility. PPG is able to produce cabin windows at facilities in Sylmar (California, USA) and Casaletto (Vaprio, Italy). Volume deliveries are expected to begin in 2011. The contract calls for PPG to supply complete cabin-window assemblies ready for aircraft installation to help Gulfstream reduce the total parts per aircraft by half. The PPG cockpit and cabin windows are designed to enhance aerodynamics and safety for the G650 business jet, while withstanding the aircraft's high cabin pressure, Scott said. PPG has also previously produced the cockpit windows for every Gulfstream aircraft built since the Gulfstream I apart from supplying coatings and sealants.