EYES HIGH
Spring 2017 will be remembered as the time China finally realized the development of a homegrown large passenger aircraft, reflecting its determination to master the key technologies matching the status of a developing power.
For Dubroeucq, it was a great honor to start to work with China in 2014, directly participating in the development of the C919 as integrated propulsion system program director.
"I like doing intricate and difficult things. The more difficult, the more my potential is stimulated," he says.
"If providing engines for a type of newly developed aircraft was one such thing, another one is learning Chinese."
He takes out of a copy of The Great Learning, a Confucian classic on governance, and chants word by word. The Chinese classics "enlighten and calm" him during tight business schedules and trips.
"The Chinese characters are so complicated and difficult, similar to an aero-engine. The more you achieve, the happier and prouder you feel," he says.
The C919 project has taken nine years, but it has helped trigger acceleration of the global aviation industry.
The LEAP-1C engine and nacelle, for example, are an innovative design that is lighter and easier to maintain than current propulsion systems.
"The innovation also lies in the adoption of the integrated propulsion system which includes the engine, nacelle and all relative modules," says Dubroeucq.
The C919's maiden flight also marked the launch of an O-type ducted thrust reverser designed by Safran Nacelles. The reverser can reduce the aircraft's weight, improve the efficiency of thrust reverser and facilitate the maintenance.
SHARING THE FUTURE
Dubroeucq says the Safran team is now eyeing a more challenging and larger aircraft that will be jointly developed by China and Russia.
"Competitive design and technologies are just the beginning. The major challenge stays to win market trust from safe, reliable, and efficient operation," he says.
He says that if the C919 is to compete with Airbus and Boeing, it must be on the same level of technology. "That's exactly what COMAC did by choosing the LEAP Engine. They are on the right track."
To his understanding, the C919 is facing major challenges: the time for its market launch, its operational performance and reliability, as well as brand image building oriented to customers.
"Time will give trust and reliability. Safran gained a global reputation in one century, and we would like to share our experience with China," he says.
China is the world's second largest aviation market and growing fast, and Safran is willing to strengthen cooperation with China's aviation industry through joint ventures and production subcontracting with the major Chinese aviation industry partners.
"We are not working in short term in China. The market is here and we are right here. All we have done is to pave the way to share the future," he says.
