"Aviation is one of the traditional and strategic branches of Czech engineering and we still have space to grow. The Czech Republic is one of the seven countries in the world that can develop aircraft engines. Domestic companies supply components for the world's top, ie companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier or Embraer. For example, PBS is one of only four companies in the world that is certified for the development, production and maintenance of EASA auxiliary power units," Milan Macholán, director of PBS Velká Bíteš says.
See also: Part I of the interview
- How expensive is the development and production of a new aircraft engine?
An aircraft engine is fundamentally costly, especially its development, including long-term tests. It represents amounts in tens to hundreds of millions of crowns.
- What are auxiliary power units used for and where do they find their use?
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is basically a turbine engine that is started by a built-in electric starter. Upon start-up, it generates electrical power to the main onboard systems during pre-flight preparation. It also generates compressed air to start the main engines and supplies clean air for air conditioning. After starting the main engines, the APU is in most cases switched off and further serves as a backup source for possible emergency situations.
APU Sapphire produced by PBS in various configurations is built in several types of civilian and military helicopters. They are applied, for example, in a civilian helicopter Z8 fitted with engines of American production or in Russian helicopters Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-171, which are among the most successful and most widespread helicopters in the world in terms of the number of pieces sold and the number of countries. The countries where the above-mentioned helicopters fly are more than 60, and these helicopters have proven very successful, for example, in natural disasters in saving lives and property.
PBS APU Sapphire has also found use in several types of training light combat aircraft. One of them is the L-159 ALCA, used by the Army of the Czech Republic or, for example, Draken International for the training of American pilots. They also found their use in the L-39 Albatros, which is one of the most widespread training jets in the world. The American market enjoys great popularity in civil aerobatic flying. Currently, there are still more than 250 Albatros in operation. PBS is involved in the development of several systems for the new generation of this aircraft, designated L-39NG.
- The PBS engines are also used in unmanned vehicles. How interesting is the UAV market for PBS from the business perspective?
Extremely interesting. It is thanks to the growing interest in UAVs that the demand for our engines is growing. The very first application of our best-selling PBS TJ100 engine was already in 2004 UAV, specifically the training target Diana from the Spanish company INTA. Currently PBS is preparing projects for possible future cooperation with European defense technology manufacturers. An example is the Swedish state institution FMV, which PBS supplied its jet engines for testing this year. In case of successful verification of parameters, Czech jet engines from Velká Bíteš will be used in Swedish unmanned systems.
- What PBS products are the most popular abroad?
The best-selling PBS product is the APU Safir 5K / G MI auxiliary power unit, which is designed for Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters. In 2019 we plan to produce its 1000th piece and we expect the same milestone for the PBS TJ100 jet engine. After 15 years from its delivery to the first customer, this year, PBS TJ100 will also be delivered with a serial number of 1000. In total, more than 7,000 turbine equipment for the aerospace industry has been manufactured in PBS since the 1970s, and the company has become the market leader in this performance category. I can say that PBS is profiling as a specialist in rotating machines. Our turbines rotate at speeds of up to 350,000 rpm.
- At the aforementioned IDET, you said that PBS does not want to “stagnate” on existing aircraft engines, but you want to develop new engine types in the future. What are your ideas?
Our great advantage is various custom modifications of existing engines. For example, PBS TJ100 has more than 20 customer modifications. In our further development, we try to inspire precisely all individual customer requirements, which move us further. Development of a new jet engine is running, it significantly exceeds our currently the most powerful engine PBS TJ150.
See also: IDET 2019 - International Defence and Security Technologies Fair in Brno
- Earlier this year, PBS began mass production of the most powerful PBS TJ150 turbojet engine for European and Asian markets. What is the interest from the market so far?
This year we have shipped the first PBS TJ150 engines to end customers. Recently, the American company Sonex Aircraft came with an expected innovation. It introduced a plan to develop a two-seat version of the small jet SubSonex Personal Jet, which is powered by our PBS TJ100 engine. The new JSX-2T will bring a number of design improvements, and in addition to the PBS TJ100 jet engine version, the PBS TJ150 version may also be available.
- Keeping up to date with the global technological advances in the aerospace industry can only be the cutting edge of research and development. How important is this area for the PBS?
Own development and quality background plays absolutely key role in the success of PBS. Our development and production is placed almost completely under one roof in Velká Bíteš. Of course, we also cooperate with universities like the BUT or ČVUT, but also with the Institute of Materials Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, with which we currently deal with grant projects related to research of new materials and material analysis. Our Precision Casting Division thus manages to develop alloys with better performance and deliver longer-lasting products.
- PBS is one of the largest employers in the region. How do you manage to find new people during the period of minimum unemployment?
The situation on the labor market is, of course, problematic for most employers, but there is never enough quality technical staff. In order to be successful in the search, we strive to be more visible and actively address candidates. We also motivate our existing employees with rewards for recommending suitable candidates. Of course, we provide our employees with a number of benefits, such as the 7.5-hour working day.
We also try to “educate” our future employees. One of the basic features of our HR strategy is working with talented university graduates and apprentices of our Center for Practical Training, which is the main partner of the Secondary School of Jan Tiray in Velká Bíteš. As a result, we provide quality teaching facilities to future metalworkers, mechanics and adjusters as well as founders who, after graduation, join the PBS.
- In your opinion, is the aviation industry an attractive field for potential employees?
Definitely yes. Aviation is one of the traditional and strategic branches of Czech engineering and we still have space to grow. The Czech Republic is one of the seven countries in the world that can develop aircraft engines. Domestic companies supply components for the world's top, ie companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier or Embraer. For example, PBS is one of only four companies in the world that is certified for the development, production and maintenance of EASA auxiliary power units.