Paris Air Show goers came prepared for more than just scorching hot weather. They arrived with an open mind, or as the French say, esprit ouvert, to be inspired by the aerospace innovation the Paris Air Show delivers to the world. Audiences blinded by the sun and the outstanding air acrobatics could take a break and walk the cool exhibit halls filled with displays highlighting industry advancements from seemingly every major aircraft manufacturer and supplier.
The sheer size of Le Bourget air field, museum and many exhibition halls makes it difficult, if not impossible, to see everything. There isn’t enough time to walk every last display. However, most schedule their day to see the amazing flight demonstrations.
Embraer Eagle Takes Off
The Embraer commercial E195-E2 airliner flew over Le Bourget in its inaugural international flight demonstration. The aircraft stood out because golden eagle face on the nose cone and “profit hunter” on its side to reinforce the Brazilian plane’s efficiencies aimed at boosting airlines’ profits. Embraer also debuted two other top aircraft in their class: the military KC-390 medium transport and the Legacy 450 business jet. All three are “fly-by-wire” planes which means an electronic interface is used instead of conventional manual flight controls.
New Technology Accelerating Aerospace Innovation
Companies showcased advanced technology such as Additive Manufactured parts, 3D printing machines, composites, and robotics. Walking through hundreds of exhibits, like those from global 3D printing company, Stratasys Ltd., additive manufacturing world leader, Renishaw,and supplier, Hutchinson, featured great engineering feats. Design and performance improvements from composites and additive and subtractive manufacturing technology continue to support industry evolution. Many leading companies like engine maker Pratt & Whitney Canada, Boeing and Airbus announced details during the show of their investments in new materials and technology that have changed the way they imagine, design, test and build their awe inspiring aircraft and systems.
Virtual Universes & Innovation Centers Add New Value
Visitors to the Dassault Systèmes booth and chalet learned more about the ways the digital transformation supports product development and advanced manufacturing. Lines formed as attendees sought to experience augmented virtual reality to interact with true to life virtual 3D models.
The Dassault Systemes 3rd Insiders’Breakfast brought together three partners in its 3DEXPERIENCE Center network to share the value this network of innovation labs delivers to industry and academia:
3DEXPERIENCE Center at Wichita State University
Gerardo Olivares, Ph.D., Sr. Research Scientist & Director, National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
Now open
3DEXPERIENCE Center at Hamburg
Roland Gerhards, Managing Director ZAL Tech Center Research & development
Grand Opening July 18-19, 2017
3DEXPERIENCE Center at Karnataka
Priyank Kharge, Minister of Information Technology & Biotechnology, State of Karnataka, India
Grand Opening to be determined
The guests along with Michel Tellier, VP Aerospace & Defense and Jeff Smith, Aerospace & Defense Ideas Lab Director, Dassault Systèmes, described how these new centers for aerospace innovation bring new value to industry. The Centers bring together industry, academia and regulatory authorities to improve methods for developing advanced systems and new materials and implementing manufacturing 4.0 technology.
Until 2019
Like all things, 52nd Paris Air Show comes to an end. We must go home. The quirky conceptual vehicles that hover or fly move to the next show. The graceful Airbus and Boeing jumbo jets, and show stopping, Dassault Rafale and the Lockheed Martin fighter jets return to their missions. At least video and images captured the aerospace innovations and the excitement. All is burned into our memory until we can experience it again next time.
