New Cabin Modification Options from AIX 2019

Lufthansa Technik has debuted a new heating system for floor panels called HeatNOW, which uses a self-regulating heated coating that prevents hot spots and damage resulting from thermal affects. LHT says the thin and flexible design of HeatNOW’s heating pad is easy to install, maintain and exchange, and the system will be offered as a readily assembled complete installation kit for different aircraft types. HeatNOW is currently being tested for approval in Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft. 

The company also introduced three new solutions for USB charging which promise simple installation. The first is installed in the passenger service unit (PSU) within the overhead panel and uses the untapped energy of reading lights. LHT says it requires no additional installations, so it is approximately 50% lighter than competing products. The second USB charging solution features smart illumination and LHT says it is easily attached to any kind of seat, so it does not affect existing aircraft seat certification. The final option creates opportunities for airlines to generate ancillary revenue through displaying advertising or giving passengers the option to pay for recharging.

Trenchard Aviation Group has launched a digital on-wing maintenance system called Atlas On-Wing, which it says can significantly reduce paper-based tasks and planning. The web-based application logs tasks assigned by an airline, assigns them to specific engineers and aircraft, and records completed tasks and associated data—which is then sent back to a web portal.

Atlas On-Wing includes functionality for instant messaging between engineers and managers, single part request collaboration, offline access via digital tablet and customizable customer portal to look at present and past works. The company says functionality for tracking both live and historic jobs creates more accurate performance and time management reports while streamlining communications.

Astronics and HAECO Cabin Solutions have collaborated to integrate the former’s SmartTray PED holder technology into the in-arm tray tables of the latter’s Vector economy seat. SmartTray, which has more than 11 patents covering PED holders on an assortment of tray table types, enables passengers to use their PEDs in a hands-free environment while gaining tray space. Initial installations of the SmartTray in Vector seats has already begun and the companies say units are currently flying on a large international carrier’s A350 equipment.

Collins Aerospace debuted its 2019 Crystal Cabin Award-winning M-Flex Duet monument, which creates new service options for airlines without reducing seat count. The M-Flex Duet utilizes an aircraft’s doorway as a self-service social zone or cabin attendant working area. The compact monument is stowed during taxi, take-off and landing and then unfolded to stretch across the doorway during flight. Collins says that because the M-Flex Duet fits within standard monument footprints, it can be easily installed as a line-fit or retrofit solution. The M-Flex Duet will launch later this year.

Diehl Aviation bills its flexPSU product as an “intelligent, moveable, modular, scalable and flexible” solution which can be fully integrated on the bottom side of luggage bins. The retrofittable solution features a rail-based assembly and connection design, which Diehl says can be installed and configured in minutes by hand. No discrete wiring is required, since flexPSU uses powerline communication over the rail system. The company will offer standard and high-performance versions of the flexPSU, which it says are easily interchangeable.

HAECO Cabin Solutions debuted its new Eclipse Cabin, which it says helps to “bridge the gap between premium economy and lie-flat business class seats.” The Eclipse Cabin uses a staggered and angled seating arrangement that HAECO says increases privacy and comfort while opening up additional space for stowage and passenger count.

HAECO’s launch customer is an unnamed Middle Eastern airline, which will install the Eclipse Cabin and begin flying it in 2020. According to HAECO, the cabin concept—which can be used on both Airbus and Boeing aircraft—has a lead time of as little as six months, depending on various factors.