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May 22, 2002
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Wednesday
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Rabi-ul-Awwal 8,1423
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Firm claims making high-security cockpit door
By Our Correspondent
PARIS, May 21: Airbus, which is the world’s largest producer of commercial aircraft, said on Tuesday that it had produced a high-security cockpit door that will soon equip all the airliners it manufactures.
It has also announced the creation of other high-tech equipment and communications devices keyed to allowing crews to deal better with future hijack attempts.
A company spokesman said the cockpit door - which protects flight crews from unauthorized entry - had also just gained the certification of the Joint Aviation Authority, a certification that, in the words of the spokesman, “now paves the way for the door certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States,” a qualification that is expected to be approved “within the next few weeks.”
The door, adds Airbus Executive Vice President of engineering Alain Garcia, “is also compliant with a situation of rapid decompression,” another major fear of the airline industry, in the wake of Sept 11.
Moreover, he notes, “We’re very proud to be the first large manufacturer of aircraft to have achieved this status.”
The new cockpit door, which will now go into production and be available for standard fittings as of August - in time for the first anniversary of the World Trade Center attack - “protects the crew from unauthorised entry,” says Mr Garcia, “and also features a reinforced and bullet-proof main door panel, as well as an escape panel, electrical door latch, an electronic entry pad located in the cabin, as well as a warning light and buzzer in the cockpit.”
In addition, notes Mr Garcia, “a toggle control in the cockpit enables the crew to control access to the cockpit and secure the door in case of need.” Mr Garcia chose not to have to define what he meant by “in case of need.”
According to Patrick Gavin, Airbus executive vice president for customer services, “Airbus engineers have designed a solution which can be easily introduced onto our aircraft, while minimising the burden for our customers and operators.”
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