On April 21, 2011-more than 3-1/2 years after first being unveiled to the world-the Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed its first commercial flight. Assembly for all versions of the Superjet is done at the facilities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association in the Russian Far East.

Assembly of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 takes place at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association in the Russian Far East. Photo courtesy Youri Kabernik, Russian AviaPhoto Team

On April 21, 2011-more than 3-1/2 years after first being unveiled to the world-the Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed its first commercial flight. It carried 90 passengers from Yerevan, Armenia, to Moscow, Russia, and took nearly 3 hours. Most importantly, it represented a major accomplishment for the Russian aerospace industry.

The SSJ100 is the world’s newest 100-seat regional airliner, and its progress from introduction to maiden flight has been followed closely. Assembly for all versions of the Superjet is done at the facilities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO) in the Russian Far East. KnAAPO is the largest aircraft manufacturing company in Russia.

Component production for the SSJ100 is done by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association, another aircraft manufacturer. Both companies are expected to produce 70 SSJ100 airframes by 2012.

The SSJ100’s design meets the specific requirements of airlines in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the United States and the European Union. It also meets all Western aviation standards, including those related to airworthiness and ground noise.

Assemblers cut the Spring-Fast grommet edging to length for the specific protective applications in the airframe, then snap it into place with their hands. The edging prevents wire and cable wear. Photo courtesy Device Technologies Inc.

To enhance the aircraft’s operational safety, assemblers at KnAAPO are fitting the SSJ100 with the Spring-Fast wire protection system. Made by Device Technologies Inc., the Spring-Fast system uses NASM22529/2-type grommet edging to prevent wire and cable wear. The edging provides an abrasion-resistant surface area where the wires and cables are located, such as knockouts and panels.

Bee Pitron, a Russian electronics and electrical engineering firm that provides support to Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC), specified the grommet edging. SCAC designs, produces and markets the SSJ100. Approved for use by the Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration, Spring-Fast grommet edging is made from spring-loaded stainless steel encapsulated in a protective polymer coating. The edging comes in thicknesses from 0.02 to 0.25 inch and 25-, 100- or 500-foot reels.

Assemblers cut the edging to length for the specific protective applications in the airframe, then snap it into place with their hands. No adhesives are needed, minimizing worker exposure to hazardous materials and volatile organic compounds.

A major benefit of the edging is that it offers continuous edge protection for 90-degree inside or outside corners, as well as on any size inside or outside radius. The edging also requires no application media, clean up and cure time, or application of heat.

For more information on grommet edging, call 800-669-9682 or visit www.devicetech.com.