«Energy. Industry. Regions» Magazine , issue 4, May of 2006
Engineering services in the aircraft industry and airport technologies are the main line of activity of Progresstech. This Russian company is part of Progresstech Group, which marks its 15th year anniversary this year.
In 2005, according to the annually updated ranking of Deloitte auditors, Progresstech entered the top 500 (108th place) most effectively developing engineering companies of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and thus confirmed its solid reputation in the international high technology market.
Progresstech takes an active part in the implementation of a project for a special economic technical and commissioning zone in Dubna, one of the first four such projects now in progress in Russia.
The start-up of Progresstech engineering service company in the aircraft industry is connected with the design department for project engineering established in 1999 that dealt with designing of units, parts and systems of Boeing aircraft of various models.
Indisputably, the business reputation of Progresstech played a very important role in taking the decision on the part of Boeing management. By that time, Boeing and Progresstech had been cooperating for five years. The first order, made by Boeing, was the complex research that allowed making an international certification of the Boeing 777 landing gear. The practical result of the work was the update of the ICAO procedures for evaluation of how the landing gears impact on airfield pavements, and how to enhance the airfield operability of this airplane.
On December 14, 1999, the first group of engineers consisting of six people was accepted in the Progresstech Design Center. Now, over 600 highly skilled design and stress engineers are employed here, and they perform works on design and evaluation of airframes according to statements of works provided by other companies that develop and manufacture aircraft, such as Sukhoi or Boeing. Among our customers in this segment of the market, there are also large suppliers of component parts for aircraft such as Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
In 2005, with the participation of the Progresstech engineers, the projects of design documentation on the Boeing 747-400 were successfully finished to convert the passenger version into a special large cargo freighter B747 LCF intended for transportation of large-size parts of the most advanced Boeing 787 ex-works to the final assembly plant in Everett.
The Boeing Company governance specially noted the activities of the Progresstech engineers who work on the project of Boeing 737-900X, the heaviest model of the entire Boeing 737 series. The work terminated, the participants were awarded with appropriate certificates. The Progresstech experts successfully fulfill design jobs on development of the new generation Boeing-787.
In 2005, the Progresstech Engineering Center also gave an impulse to development of a new direction, Manufacture Engineering where almost 40 manufacturing engineers are already employed, and their number will be increasing.
May of 2005 became the beginning of works on projects executed by request of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Corporation. Now, they develop engineering and strength analysis packages to design documentation for the regional aircraft RRJ, including fuselage and wing, cabin air conditioning system, LG hydraulic brake system and fuel system.
An important agreement was signed at the ÌÀKS-2005 Airshow on cooperation between Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, Boeing and Progresstech that allows to effectively and jointly use the engineering resources and the available infrastructure of the companies in the area of design and manufacture of civil aircraft. This agreement secured the already existing mutually beneficial exchange scheme of engineering resources.
An agreement was signed between the non-profit partnership Integrated Aircraft Manufacturing Consortium and Progresstech that will allow using the Progresstech facilities to implement the prospect projects of the Consortium, and to perform tasks on the personnel training, projects management, mastering modern systems of computer-aided design engineering, organizing high-efficiency production.
The company also renders engineering services in the field of airport technologies. A complex of research work was executed by request of the Transport Ministry of the Moscow Region, that involved the assessment of environmental impact of the Moscow Aviation System (MAS) airports, including the state and experimental aviation airports, on the adjacent areas. The research covers all the sides of the problem: noise, emission, electromagnetic radiation. Now, Progresstech, properly speaking, is the monopolist on this point and is able to consider any complicated situation in the field of aviation ecology.
In 2002, a specific study of the state and prospects of the complex development of the ÌÀS airports was carried out. Presented were a forecast for the major tendencies in their development and a concept of the airports reconstruction and a hub creation in MAS.
Developed on request of East Line Company was the Domodedovo Airport development master plan till 2020 and 2050.
One of the most interesting trends was the evaluation of the infrastructure of Russian airports in order to answer the question whether they could serve as alternate airfields for the aircraft operating the cross-polar routes. This work to accept the challenge of the twin-engine aircraft operation along cross-polar flights in compliance with the ETOPS rules was done by Progresstech jointly with the experts of the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the Federal Aviation Administration of the USA, Boeing Company and several major worldwide airlines.
Five years ago, Progresstech became a representative of Continental Airlines (USA) in Russia and CIS countries to give consulting services on various issues, including the regular and charter flights within the Russian airspace. In 2005, Progresstech made accreditation for Continental Airlines in Russia and CIS countries.
The principles of Progresstech staff forming should be specifically mentioned. The first employees of the company were some specialists of various Moscow research institutes and design offices, who became unemployed at the beginning of the economic reforms. Nowadays, the company is staffed by not only Moscow residents but also those who came from other cities of Russia such as Kazan, Nizhni Novgorod, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Taganrog, Bryansk, Miass, Irkutsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Also a lot of specialists who have joined the company came from the CIS countries: Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Beloruss. The company helps them in formal registration and provides additional funds for dwelling rent. A special program was adopted to create conditions for such specialists to buy apartments in and around Moscow. The lead managers of the company have an opportunity to improve their skill level, including the MBA. degree at prestigious Universities of the USA.
The other way to implement the personnel policy is recruiting the higher school graduates. Progresstech concluded some contracts for undergraduates’ training with Moscow Aviation Institute (State University of Aerospace Technologies), Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, Moscow State Technical University n.a. N.E. Bauman, St.Petersburg State Polytechnic University. The short-range plans include cooperation with the Department of Aeromechanics and Flying Engineering of Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Kazan State University, Kazan Institute of Aviation for training engineers in the field of strength analysis of flying vehicles.
The company intensively trains its engineers in all necessary aspects, beginning from the basic course of CAD-systems to the programs of advanced training on aircraft design. A considerable part of the engineers improves their English language skills.
The company develops great plans for the future and looks forward to new orders. Progresstech having serious achievements in the engineering services to be rendered in the aircraft industry and airport technologies is confident of its future development.
Radio Russia, «Ðàäèî Ðîññèè», Natalya Bekhtina “At First Hand” Talk-Show (13.03.2009, 12:30)
In his interview given to Radio Russia Vladimir Kulchitsky, President, Progresstech Group of Companies brought up issues on the prospects of the Russian aviation construction industry. What are these prospects under the economical crisis conditions?
Collected articles of The Committee on Aviation Fuels and Oils, Airport Assosiation of CIS Civil Aviation, S.A. Usanov, D.M. Lukin (February 2009)
In developing separate buildings and facilities the designers have met challenges to select appropriate equipment and obtain the customer’s approval thereof, have studied planning options and details of equipment location within the building and its connection to engineering system networks. Such considerable project complying with national and worldwide norms and standards could be executed owning to the effective team working by the Customer – Vnukovo Invest Company, the Operator – Vnukovo Fuel Supply Company and several specialized design entities.
V.A. Kulchitsky, "Airports. Progressive Technologies Magazine" (December 2008)
In anticipation of possible risks during the transient period from socialistic to free market economy, our company tried to diversify maximally its activity.
Airports International Review, Russian edition, Sergey A. Usanov (November 2008)
Designing is among a priority and dynamically developing lines of Progresstech, Ltd. activities. The services on designing buildings and facilities are rendered by the Progresstech department – Airports and Infrastructures Design Department and also design offices of other members of Progresstech Group of Companies.
N. B. Vasiliev, Russian Aviation News & Information Server Avia.ru (September 2008)
It is highly important to immediately initiate forming of the modern regulatory system, reforming of the project expertise system and personnel training.
Research & information publication “Presidential Councelor”(November, 2007)
This October Progresstech-Dubna was given a status of resident of technology-innovative special economic zone (SEZ) in Dubna (Moscow Region) where it has been forming the Consulting and Engineering Center for aircraft construction and airport technology industry since 2006.
What does it mean for the company to become a resident of the Special Economic Zone? What social and economic results Progresstech-Dubna wishes to have in realizing the project? These questions were asked by the editors of the research & information publication “Presidential Councelor” to Dr. Vladimir Kulchitsky, Professor, President and Chairman of Governing Board of Progresstech Group of Companies.
“Air Transport”, Valery Tseyukov, (August, 2007)
Working at every project we try to keep up to date. The company name itself calls for this. ProgressTech, this is always progressive solutions and technologies.
Air Fleet, Sergey Bystrov (May, 2007)
Progresstech is an integrating structure being a part of aviation construction and civil aviation. We ensure the interests of both the civil aviation and aviation construction industry. And being a patriot of both industries I’d like to tell that we need the best civil aviation in Russia and the best civil aviation will be when the best air carrier appears, while the best air carrier will appear when it gets the best airplanes.
Profile Magazine, Andrey Annenkov (February, 2007)
Our democracy shall be guarded by an enlightened monarchy. We have no alternative here. Without enlightened monarchy our democracy is degenerating at once into a bare vertical line of authority. However surprising, of course, but an enlightened monarchy (not literally) shall exist here to guarantee the compliance with laws and the constitution of a jural state. And if now the very top authority levels should not support the high-tech export, then believe me, I just don’t know what could happen to my business.
FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMY Magazine ( November – December, 2006)
We have never thought in a narrow way and always proceeded to new tasks based on the opportunity to implement the skills as accumulated in the company.
Valery Tseyukov, Vozdushny Transport (Air Transport) (October, 2006)
In his interview published by Vozdushny Transport newspaper Prof. Vladimir Kulchitsky named the main problems which face the airports in the course of their development and identified the challenges to be immediately solved thus allowing to achieve the best results from investments in civil aviation ground infrastructure development.
Igor Veletminsky, "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" ('Russian Gazette') (September 5, 2006)
The Progresstech Group of Companies President has staked on development of the Russian market of intellectual property services
www.politcom.ru (May 26, 2006)
The major risk for our company is political. If the federal power follows such a policy that gains less and less confidence, then who would wish to award us with long-term intellectual property development projects?
Interviewed by Sergey Bystrov, «Air Fleet» (April, 2006)
Prof. Vladimir Kulchitsky in his interview reviewed a staggering development of the company: “Progresstech is a multi-component structure. Nowadays only Progresstech engineering services organization includes three departments, namely Airports and Infrastructure Design Department, Aerospace Engineering Department and Research, Certification & Consulting Department. Involved in the project activities are about 800 highly skilled engineers, including 100 engineers in the airport planning and design, 600 engineers in the aircraft design and 100 experts in the civil aviation consultancy.
Pavel Palchikov, «Rossiiskaya Gazeta» (Russian Gazette) (15 December, 2005)
Recently an event of outstanding importance has occurred in Moscow: CJSC «Sukhoi Civil Aircraft» and OJSC «Aeroflot — Russian Airlines» have announced a firm order for delivery of thirty Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) aircraft. Under the Contract Aeroflot orders thirty RRJ95 in basic configuration. The total deal is valued at approximately 820 mln USD at list prices.
Roman Dorokhov, «Vedomosti» (December 5, 2005)
The Russians have extended their presence in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 annual ranking. The Russian companies, Aplana Software, Progresstech and RosBusinessConsulting have got listed in the 2005 ranking as published last week. However the Russian experts think that the Russian companies'a share in the ranking shall be much larger.
Pavel Palchikov, «Rossiiskaya Gazeta» (Russian Gazette) (November 23, 2005)
«Rossiiskaya Gazeta» published two critical articles entitled «Brain Drain Remedy» on 30 June, 2004 and «Intellectual Product from Russia» on 3 August, 2005. They put emphasis on an urgent necessity to actively proceed to the creation of engineering service centers since this new trend opens for the Russian economy a real opportunity to accelerate its development. So we have asked some public officers, noted scientists and businessmen to share their opinions on expediency for Russia to participate in the worldwide division of labor as well as on means and ways to improve the national education quality.
Andrey Zuzin, Federal Construction Market (October, 2005)
Holding «Progresstech Group of Companies» comprises several companies sharing a common idea of development and implementation of innovative state-of-the-art technologies in various industries.
Vladimir Shytov, «Civil Aviation» (September, 2005)
The future of the Russian economy, this is the inexhaustible topic generating a great number of disputes and comments. However it is very seldom that theoretical projects are realized into concrete works. Most of such projects remain non-realized. With rare exception... Among these exceptions are really the Progresstech Group of Companies activities:
Valery Tseyukov, «Air Transport» (August, 2005)
MAKS 2005 International Aviation & Space Salon has been marked by a series of signed contracts and agreements. Among such significant contract was an Agreement on Cooperation signed by Sergey V. Kravchenko, President, Boeing, Russia/CIS, Viktor V. Subbotin, Director General, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, and Vladimir A. Kulchitsky, President, «Progresstech Group of Companies» Holding.
Pavel Palchikov, «Rossiiskaya Gazeta» (Russian Gazette) (August 3, 2005)
At present our country has unique opportunities for integration into a unified worldwide system of research studies, information technologies and engineering services, that is determined a priori by a high level of national scientific and intellectual potential. What are the ways of its efficient usage to eliminate the Russia?s dependence on the oil-and-gas production and make Russia a major player in high-tech industry and outsourcing?
Valery Tseyukov, «Air Transport» (May, 2005)
Implementation of the scientifically-based concept of airfield pavement construction and rehabilitation as realized by JCS Progresstech, Ltd. at the civil aviation airports in Russia shall allow to build an extra runway annually with no additional funding.
Nikolay Vasiliev, Alexander Polyakov, «Airports. Progressive Technologies» (December, 2004)
Decision on establishing the Progresstech Design Center was taken in October of 1999 in the course of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes officials' visit to Moscow when Thomas Schick, Senior Vice President and Robert Spitzer, Vice President and Sergei Kravchenko, President, Boeing-Russian and CIS had a meeting with the Progresstech top management.
Pavel Palchikov, «Rossiiskaya Gazeta» (Russian Gazette) (June 30, 2004)
The today?s integration of Russia into the international division of labor system is going on somewhat insipidly, slowly and in many respects spontaneously, and taking into consideration at that, Russia has not yet exhausted its scientific & technological potential, heavy stocks of relatively low-cost raw materials and energy resources, high manpower resources, especially in the exact sciences and engineering and technological area…
