Interiors Archives

FAA approves JETMS Completions to modify and maintain Phenom 300 seats

By Satu DahlFeatured, Interiors, MRONo Comments

Aircraft interior, exterior, and completions company JETMS Completions has received the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the Embraer 505 Phenom 300 maintenance and modification.

JETMS Completions says it now holds capabilities for all three supplement type certificates (STC) from FAA, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Agency (CAA). The newly approved seat modifications for Phenom 300 include headrest, backrest, seat base foam and cover replacements, arm cap renewals and refurbishments and seat base panel refurbishments, as well as painted surfaces refurbishments.

“After 18 months of hard work and application submissions to EASA, CAA and FAA, we have finally achieved and received the FAA STC validation for the Phenom 300 type light business jet seat modifications,” said Kevin Hann CEng FRAeS, Head of Design at JETMS Completions. “This is a very big step for us and we are extremely happy to be able to proceed with interior completions for the Phenom 300 jets.”

August 4, 2022

SAUDIA and SAEI join Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance

By Satu DahlFeatured, Insights, Interiors, MRONo Comments

The Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance (IAMA) is welcoming Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) to the alliance.

The companies bring additional high-profile Middle East and North Africa voices to the diverse group of stakeholders advocating for modifications completed via Supplemental Type Certifications (STC).

“We are extremely pleased to welcome SAUDIA and SAEI to our growing community,” said Nina Schulz, IAMA’s Managing Director. “With each new member, the alliance grows stronger as we take on board their distinctive operational challenges and utilise them to help perfect the IAMA Rulebook. Our sincere ambition is to represent the needs and strengths of the global aviation modification market, so we are striving to attract stakeholders from every corner of the world.”

As a subscriber, SAUDIA gains access to the alliance’s burgeoning resource library and the IAMA Rulebook, which cover an extensive range of topics, including asset preservation, de-modification, right to use and the complexities around STCs.

Syed Masroor Hasan, SAUDIA’s Assistant Vice President, Aircraft Engineering, commented: “To build our service capacity, we are growing our fleet of aircraft and are focused on offering an enjoyable passenger experience—which includes operating seamless schedules. Our decision to become an IAMA subscriber is motivated by this expansion. We are delighted to join a growing number of airlines recognising IAMA’s valuable contributions to the aviation modification market.”

SAEI is the technical arm of SAUDIA and the prime consultancy and fulfillment organisation for SAUDIA’s modification campaigns. It serves regional and global clients from a network of more than 50 locations worldwide and is expanding into its state-of-the-art MRO operation at King Abdul-Aziz Airport.

“As part of our airworthiness transformation initiative, we are expanding our capabilities by implementing a design office,” said Ahmed S. Aseeri, SAEI’s owner of airworthiness engineering programme initiatives.

August 2, 2022

FIA2022: Supernal unveils eVTOL vehicle cabin concept

By Satu DahlDesign, Featured, Insights, InteriorsNo Comments

Supernal revealed its initial eVTOL vehicle cabin concept at Farnborough International Airshow on Monday 18 July.

The unveiling provided the first look at how Hyundai Motor Group is integrating automotive capabilities to develop the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.

Supernal has partnered up with Hyundai Motor Group’s design studios to create the cabin concept as it works to certify its eVTOL vehicle for commercial use in the US from 2028, and in the EU and UK shortly after.

“In order for Advanced Air Mobility to become a wide-spread mode of transportation, every detail – from the passenger experience to regulations and infrastructure – needs to be addressed from the start and work in lockstep with one another,” said Jaiwon Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “Leveraging Hyundai Motor Group’s mobility capabilities, Supernal is investing time and resources upfront to ensure the industry can scale to the masses in the coming decades and reach its exciting potential.”

“Supernal is partnering with Hyundai Motor Group’s top automotive designers to develop our eVTOL vehicle for manufacturability and wide-spread public acceptance,” Shin added. “We are taking the time to create a safe, light-weight commercial eVTOL that provides our future passengers with the security and comfort they find in their own cars.”

Supernal’s five-seat cabin concept design utilises the automotive industry’s reductive design approach to create the light-weight interior cabin which is made of forged carbon fiber and features ergonomically contoured seats with a cocoon-like environment for passengers.

SUpernal says its deployable seat consoles mimic automobile centre consoles and provide a charging station and stowage compartment for personal items. It also has grab handles built into the cabin doors and seatbacks assist with ingress and egress.

Cabin lighting includes overhead lights inspired by automobile sunroofs which adjust with the various stages of flight to emulate a “light therapy” effect.

The cabin concept also incorporates materials such as advanced recyclable carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic, durable plant-based leather, recycled plastic fabric and responsibly sourced woods, and the seat frame utilises excess raw material from the airframe manufacturing process.

July 19, 2022

FACC inaugurates high-tech cabin interiors plant in Croatia

By Chloe GreenbankAirlines, Design, Featured, InteriorsNo Comments

Following a soft opening of its latest production plant in December 2021, FACC has officially inaugurated the €15m high-tech plant in Croatia where it is manufacturing lightweight components for aircraft cabin interiors.

The ceremony was attended by 400 guests as well as FACC’s entire Croatian workforce, with a highlight being a helicopter show by Austrian aviation icon, Felix Baumgartner (best known for jumping to Earth attached to a helium balloon from the stratosphere), who landed in front of the building before officially opening the new plant. He was joined by FACC CEO, Robert Machtlinger, Pang Zhen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic.

Planned in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute, the new factory is situated close to Zagreb. The local infrastructure, proximity to highly trained experts and universities in the surrounding area with highly qualified specialists in many fields as well as the logistical connections to FACC’s corporate headquarters were all contributing factors to manufacturing cabin components for business jets and commercial aircraft at this particular location.

“After the successful start with more than 170 employees, we plan to expand the workforce of the plant to around 600 employees within the next four years,” said Macthlinger.

During the official opening of the factory, the next expansion phase of the site was revealed. Expansion stages two and three, which will be started with immediate effect, will see a threefold increase in the size of the plant.

June 29, 2022

Causeway Aero unveils lightweight SFL panels for aircraft interiors

By Satu DahlFeatured, InteriorsNo Comments

Causeway Aero Group has announced that it has developed unique light-weight Semi-Flexible Laminate (SFL) panels for aircraft interiors.

The panels provide improved levels of thermal protection, allowing bulky insulating blankets to be removed which could result in up to a 25% weight saving. There may also be a modest increase in cabin dimensions, as the company says the panels could be fitted closer to the aircraft inner skin.

The SFL panels have a vac-formed core with laminates on either side, according to Causeway, and the cabin side can be decorated to suit customer requirements. The panels’ anti-bacterial coating would be ideal for air ambulances.

Causeway says it sees a market for the technology in smaller passenger aircraft, military transport aircraft and helicopters. The product’s launch customer is Britten-Norman and Causeway says it is actively working to design and produce a new modern interior for the BN-2 Islander, including sidewalls, ceiling and cockpit area.

The nine-seat aircraft has been in production since 1967 and continues to sell, particularly to remote areas where its impressive performance allows it to operate from very short and basic airstrips.

Causeway says the new interior can be installed during production or during a retrofit under a minor STC.

June 21, 2022

Latitude Aero reveals new VVIP collaboration project

By Satu DahlAircraft Interiors Expo 2022, Featured, InteriorsNo Comments

Aircraft interior modernisation company Latitude Aero is rethinking the VVIP passenger experience with a new project which involves a highly customised all lie-flat, closed door suite for Boeing 737-800.

The company says the project is a collaboration with an industry leader in aircraft management solutions. The retrofit addresses individual passenger needs, privacy, comfort, and varied priorities in flight experience with 30 individual closed door lie-flat suites. The 1-1 configuration maximises user privacy and gives each flyer direct aisle access.

Each forward-facing passenger suite is equipped with a large table surface, extra storage, personal color-controlled LED lighting, and full streaming capability powered by ultrafast high-speed Wi-Fi. Pods are also outfitted with an iPad Pro, AC outlet, USB-A, and USB-C, doubling IFE/ISPS options.

“Knowing that you have a secluded and productive space, which is both calming and functional, provides our customer with a VVIP passenger experience,” says President & CEO Kelvin Boyette. “When people are comfortable, they are better able to sleep, work, or accomplish whatever they hope to during travel time.”

The seats and pods are fully outfitted with leather-wrapped trim and finish tailored to finite specificity. Thin lines and careful stitch detailing give passengers a touch of subtle luxury within their personal nook. One of America’s oldest and most respected leather tanneries was selected to be the exclusive leather supplier on this aircraft.

According to Latitude Aero, the retrofit project is the first of its type, with two additional aircraft to follow and seven more planned in the near future.

June 15, 2022

Pexco Aerospace’s AirShield enters final stage of FAA certification

By Satu DahlAircraft Interiors Expo 2022, Featured, InteriorsNo Comments

Pexco Aerospace has announced that its AirShield technology, which is designed to prevent airborne germs and odours entering passengers’ personal space, has entered the final stage of certification with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The company has been granted a Project Specific Certification number and its engineering team will spend the next 30 days completing further on-wing testing of AirShield onboard A320 aircraft, with a view to receiving final certification in July 2022.

The company has spent the last two years developing both the design and performance of its AirShield technology and completed extensive on-wing tests in collaboration with different carriers, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

Jon Page, President of Pexco Aerospace, said: “Airlines recognise that privacy and hygiene are now equally important to the in-flight experience as comfort and safety, especially on narrowbody aircraft where passengers are much closer together. As an industry we cannot ignore that the world has changed and cabin interiors need to evolve with passenger needs and desires. AirShield is part of the next generation of wellbeing technologies that are reshaping how we fly – and we cannot wait to show it to the world at AIX.”

June 14, 2022

Bucher to showcase new aircraft cabin products at the Aircraft Interiors Expo

By Satu DahlAircraft Interiors Expo 2022, Catering, Featured, InteriorsNo Comments

Bucher will be displaying new innovations at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg next week. These include a 16g “Bionic” aircraft cabin partition wall in full production specification and an ultralight foldable baby bassinet which can be attached to any bulkhead monument.

Bucher says the company’s lightweight partition solutions enable airlines to reduce weight, lowering emissions and saving fuel, and are the latest in a line of products integrated into Airbus A320 family aircraft and in service with many airlines worldwide.

The baby bassinet can be reduced to a small handbag in size, resulting in more than 50% space savings. This offers more flexibility in the use of storage space for cabin crew, but still provides maximum sleeping comfort for babies.

Bucher will also be unveiling a number of enhancements to its innovation galley. These include integrated inventory and power management systems, as well as a new integrated induction charging station for beverage carts which has been developed in cooperation with SkyTender Solutions.

Bucher will also be showcasing customisable branding elements for galleys as well as a compact self-service counter including a continuously adjustable roller blind for off-service hours. The company’s new “Olympia” premium class swing-up food tray table will also be displayed along with the company’s wider portfolio of tray table solutions and high-end supports for tablets.

Bucher’s insulated in-flight trolley ARCTICartTM and the first in-flight service cart with high-performing insulation will also be on display with new design in half-size and full-size versions for the first time.

Beat Burlet, Chief Executive Officer of Bucher commented: “This new range of innovations we are unveiling reflect Bucher’s ambition to develop products that enable airlines to enhance the passenger experience in their aircraft cabins. We are delighted to be returning to the Aircraft Interiors Expo in 2022, and look forward to showcasing our proven portfolio of products to airlines from across the globe.”

Bucher is located at booth 5D60 in hall B5 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo.

June 10, 2022

KLM unveils new Premium Comfort cabin class

By Satu DahlAirlines, Featured, Interiors, SeatingNo Comments

KLM has unveiled its new Premium Comfort Class offering. The Dutch carrier says its intermediate cabin offers more space, luxury, service options, comfort and privacy than Economy Class at lower prices than World Business Class.

The new class allows KLM to meet the evolving needs and wishes of leisure and business travellers. According to the airline, Premium Comfort is an entirely new in-flight class with its own cabin, offering new type of a seat in addition to distinctive service and catering concepts. The seats were designed by Collins Aerospace together with specialists at KLM Customer Experience and are lighter than previous designs.

KLM’s Premium Comfort Class will vary from 21 to 28 seats depending on the aircraft type and will have wider than standard seats, more legroom, a larger screen and a footrest. The seats in the Premium Comfort class can also recline further than Economy Class seats. The reconfiguration work of the cabins will be carried out by KLM Engineering & Maintenance at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Boet Kreiken, Executive Vice President of KLM Customer Experience said: “We have great expectations for this new Premium Comfort Class, based on extensive market research. The new class will meet the wishes of business passengers as well as leisure travellers, strengthening KLM’s standing as a global network carrier offering an appealing and varied range: World Business Class, Premium Comfort and Economy Class. It also reaffirms our partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France and Virgin Atlantic on North Atlantic routes, where we can now combine all products on all routes.”

KLM’s Premium Comfort catering concept includes one or two hot meals depending on the duration of the flight on intercontinental services, and there will always be a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian dishes. Passengers will also be offered coffee, tea, liqueur and ice cream and a variety of snacks and cocktails will be served between meals.

May 30, 2022

Aircraft Interiors Expo announces an innovative planning platform

By Satu DahlAircraft Interiors Expo 2022, Design, Featured, IFEC, InteriorsNo Comments

Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), the global event dedicated to the aircraft interiors industry will be returning to Hamburg, Germany, from 14-16 June 2022 with an innovative new show planning tool called AIX Connect.

The new tool is designed to help key airline buyers meet exhibitors during the show so they can build business connections and discuss new projects. The event organisers say the tool will play a pivotal role in facilitating the industry’s desire to source the latest cabin innovations, technologies, in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions by facilitating targeted business connections based on specific product requirements.

Major OEMs such as Boeing and Airbus, as well leading suppliers 3M, Acro Aircraft Seating, AD Aerospace, BAE Systems, EnCore, MGR Foamtex, Jamco Corporation, Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik, Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Recaro are among companies confirmed to exhibit at the show.

Polly Magraw, AIX Event Director, said: “Connecting people to make new business contacts and source the right products is the cornerstone of Aircraft Interiors Expo. As we emerge from the pandemic, we know that suppliers and airlines are eager to return in-person to save time and resources in their efforts to fast-track the industry’s recovery and seek the latest cabin innovations to enhance the passenger experience.

“We can’t wait to see the results of these incredibly important meetings as we support the aircraft interiors industry by facilitating networking with targeted business connections, as well as meeting all of their needs at the event with AIX Connect Lounge and concierge service; building connections has never been easier.”

May 25, 2022

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