London - 05/10/09

TDA Lefebure’s Skypit cable retriever on show at Inter Airport Europe

TDA Lefebure of France, a specialist in power-supply equipment for airports, is presenting its new Skypit 400Hz cable retriever at the Inter Airport Europe exhibition, which is being held in Munich from 6 to 8 October 2009. TDA Lefebure is part of the French pavilion, which is located at Stand 425 (Hall 6).

Skypit is a 400Hz aeroplane cable retriever that can be fitted directly to the embarkation bridge. It offers airport operators numerous advantages in terms of increased security and reduced maintenance costs, as well as improved life expectancy of the equipment and greater ease of use. Skypit, which is designed to be fitted to the passenger bridge, makes use of an exclusive principle, developed by TDA Lefebure, whereby the cable is guided up to find its space naturally in the receptacle.

Skypit can be adapted to all types of 400Hz cables. It allows a direct connection to the electricity network without rotating contact or twisting cables, thus suppressing all contact resistances and eliminating risks of superfluous fatigue. When the cable is returned, the aeroplane connector is entirely retracted into the Skypit, thus offering complete protection from different elements.

Skypit is also equipped with a data concentrator for communication with airport systems. Gathering the cables with this device frees the space under the passenger bridges, making it possible to reduce the risks of damage to equipment, as well as minimising potential risks to ground personnel and vehicles moving around on the tarmac.

The exclusive design concept, which was developed by TDA Lefebure’s engineers, allows the number of rotating components to be reduced, thereby reducing maintenance needs to a minimum – an inspection of the transmission chain and pneumatics is recommended every six months. Furthermore, the replacement of the aeroplane cable is carried out in a maximum of 45 minutes.

As Skypit weighs just 240kg, it is lighter and more manageable than traditional cable coilers. Positioned at the top of the bridge, the traction point absorbs the greatest part of the cable weight and limits its friction with the ground, reducing the human effort needed to handle it. The device can be equipped with a patented anti-tear system to protect the cable, the bridge and the aeroplane from any incorrect manoeuvre.

Skypit has been designed to integrate perfectly with the style of the glass and metal base of the bridges. It has already been chosen by Aeroports de Paris (ADP) to equip the new Terminal S4 of Charles de Gaulle Airport, largely devoted to the Airbus A 380.

About TDA Lefebure

TDA Lefebure, which is headquartered in Nogent Le Roi (in central France), specialises in 400Hz power-supply equipment for use by airport operators.

TDA Lefebure is taking part in the Inter Airport Europe trade show, which is taking place in Munich (Germany) from 6 to 8 October 2009. The company is part of the French Pavilion, which is located at Stand 425 (Hall 6).

For further information, please go to: www.tda-lefebure.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Kate AMBLER – Press Officer

UBIFRANCE Press Office in London

Telephone: 0207-024-3640

Email: kate.ambler@ubifrance.fr

Web site: www.ftpb.co.uk

UBIFRANCE UK #3339