Whittaker Controls Introduces Quick Disconnect Dry Break for Aircraft Ground Fueling

Business Wire, August 3, 2004

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Whittaker Controls, a unit of Meggitt Aerospace Equipment Group, has announced the introduction of its new F1516 Quick Disconnect Dry Break product for use in aircraft ground fueling operations.

Arnold Thomas, Whittaker's Product Support Manager, ground fueling, said, "Our new Dry Break product will reduce maintenance costs and make it easier for users to gain access to internal strainers on the Whittaker fueling nozzle. The strainer can be removed and checked without any residual fuel spill. Maintenance time will be reduced. It's a win-win situation for the refueler and the airlines."

The F1516 product, designed for under-wing fueling, is a self-sealing disconnect swivel and strainer assembly and was designed specifically for commercial fueling operations using Whittaker's F116 and F117 single point refueling nozzles. The lightweight assembly is compact and yet rugged enough to withstand high flow commercial fueling operations. When disconnected from the nozzle, the F1516 is strong enough to withstand periodic hydrostatic testing of refueling hoses to 300 PSI.

Whittaker also announced the addition of three new distributors for its extensive ground fueling product line bringing the Company's total number of U.S. distributors to 13. The new distributors are: Aero Paradise, Inc., Cocoa, FL, tel. 321-638-4015; Industrial Distributors, Inc., Denver, CO, tel. 303-375-9070; and Lang Engineering Equipment Co., Inc., San Leandro, CA, tel. 510-483-1212.

Editor's Notes:

Additional technical details describing the Quick Disconnect Dry Break can be obtained from Arnold Thomas, Whittaker Ground Fueling, tel. 818-765-8160.

Whittaker Controls, based in North Hollywood, CA, for more than 60 years has been a market leader in the design, development and manufacture of a broad range of fluid control devices and systems for commercial and military aircraft, as well as industrial applications. The Company is one of the leading producers of aircraft ground fueling products and systems that are used worldwide.

Whittaker is a unit of Meggitt PLC. Meggitt PLC (MGGT.L), headquartered in the United Kingdom, is the parent company for an international group of companies operating in North America, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia. Recognized for its specialized engineering skills, Meggitt is a world leader in the aerospace, defense and electronics industries.