Michelin NZG for Virgin Atlantic

By Patrick Raleigh ERJ On-line news editor

Clermont Ferrand, France-Michelin Aircraft Tyre has signed a five-year “exclusive contract” to equip the Virgin Atlantic fleet of aircraft. The deal includes supplying NZG radial tyres for the Virgin's Airbus A340-600 aircraft, the Groupe Michelin firm said 27 Feb.

Six of the Virgin's 311-seat A340-600s are currently equipped with NZG radials, a number that is now expected to rise to ten by 2006, according to the French tyre maker's statement.

The use of NZG technology on the Airbus 340-600 “fulfils the aircraft manufacturer's requirements in terms of weight, performance and damage resistance,” Michelin commented.

The contract extends an existing relationship between Michelin and Virgin, which included cooperation to secure Airbus approval for the NZG radial tyres, according to Michelin.

NZG tyres use a high-modulus reinforcement ply material, which limits stretch of the rubber tread during service making it more burst resistant on landing or take-off.

Michelin has declined to provide details of the new reinforcement material, though industry sources say para-aramid fibre is a likely component.

Michelin launched the NZG tyre in early 2001, as part of a successful project to restore Concorde's certificate of airworthiness. The certificate had been withdrawn soon after the crash of one of the supersonic jets, near Paris, in July 2000.