PPG Aerospace Program Reduces Airline Delays, Cancellations for Unscheduled Window Replacement

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--June 15, 2001--PPG Industries' aerospace transparencies business, based in Huntsville, is introducing a program for reducing airline service interruptions resulting from unscheduled removal of cockpit windshields and windows.
    According to Raymond L. Mang, global manager, transparencies product support, the Service Interruption Reduction program helps airline maintenance and engineering personnel to correctly identify windshield conditions, and schedule appropriate repair or replacement for cost-effective windshield operation.
    "It is a common misconception that it is better, that is, less costly or more cost effective, to fly a windshield until it fails," Mang said. "But failure never occurs at a convenient time or place. Airlines that fly windshields until they fail can encounter costly service delays and flight cancellations."
    By taking a proactive approach to windshield replacement, operators can substantially reduce those costs, Mang said.
    "The basic intent of the Service Interruption Reduction program is to monitor the condition of windshields, and to remove those with indications of becoming unserviceable before they fail while in service. The replacement is done at the operator's convenience."
    Mang noted that the program also helps airlines avoid removal of good windows prematurely. "By educating an operator's maintenance and engineering personnel to be able to more correctly identify parts that truly need to be replaced, we help the operator avoid losing service life on good windows as well as help prevent unscheduled removal for others."
    PPG's Service Interruption Reduction program has three components:

    1.  Current fleet status is evaluated.
    2.  Mutually acceptable inspection criteria are developed.
    3.  PPG trains maintenance and engineering personnel to evaluate
        windshield condition.

    "We also can provide materials for the flight crew to clarify and illustrate requirements specified in flight manuals," Mang noted. "With our cockpit window pilot guides, for example, flight crew personnel can make educated decisions about whether a delay, cancellation or turnback is needed because of a windshield condition."
    PPG worked with Lufthansa to develop the Service Interruption Reduction program. "Lufthansa has been extremely pleased with the ability of our program and materials to educate its personnel to make the right decision about windshield conditions," Mang said.
    PPG is the world's largest fabricator of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies (transparencies). It is displaying cockpit and passenger-cabin windows at the PPG Aerospace Paris Air Show exhibit June 16 through June 24 at hall 2B, stand H1.
    Information about aerospace coatings, sealants and application systems from PRC-DeSoto International, also part of PPG's aerospace business unit, is available at the PPG Aerospace exhibit as well.
    Internet: www.ppg.com