CABIN Electronics 1.qxp_Finance 17/05/2022 11:20 Page 1
CABIN ELECTRONICS
What’s New in BizAv Cabin Avionics for 2022? Ken Elliott reviews new Business Aviation avionics for corporate aircraft cabins, including several important considerations beside the products themselves…
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abin electronics cannot be experienced in isolation, and when an aircraft has been modified in piecemeal stages, it shows. When an owner enters the cabin it has to feel right. There should be a singular feeling of satisfaction – and today’s discerning buyer and savvy seller know exactly what that means. Where possible, upgrade the cabin electronics in conjunction with lighting and interior. A side benefit of which is easier access to hidden wiring and components, when interior panels, furnishings and headliners are removed for the wider upgrade. In the past, cabins of all sizes were equipped to provide business tools and entertainment throughout for passengers who boarded with nothing other than a briefcase and Walkman. That has since evolved into passengers providing their own individualized experiences, using personal devices, while being virtually connected to the cabin. However, new aircraft seem to remain a few steps behind the latest high-tech innovation on the street. That’s because corporate aircraft take years to develop and bring to market. The engineering, design and approval of cabin systems cannot be a last-minute addition, so by the time initial aircraft production begins, the avionics, including cabin systems, may lag by up to five years. Ironically, some legacy pre-owned aircraft are flying with later technology than new production aircraft. Upgrades to pre-owned aircraft takes less time to engineer and certify, and may only apply to a single serial number, rather than a
74 Vol 26 Issue 6 2022 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
complete production run. A further challenge for new aircraft to remain ahead of the pack results from them having a Cabin Management System (CMS). Traditionally, these were complex, integrated systems which were cumbersome to update and prone to obsolescence. The situation has improved lately, as OEM designers actively seek to future-proof their CMS designs. Overall, CMSs remain at an advantage, providing the blended cabin experience that comes with a completely integrated system. These are implemented in parallel with the overall interior, where placement, material, color and ergonomics are all factors in the design.
Aircraft Size Matters
Based on their overall size, corporate aircraft are manufactured with small, medium and large cabins. Larger cabins have several zones, each with its own set of cabin electronics, and often using similar components throughout. There will be a central management of the overall cabin, via the crucial addition of a master control. Medium Jets, Light Jets, and Turboprops will require less central management and may work well with a master chair and secondary bench seat control, limiting cabin zones to two. Real estate and weight limits are at a premium in smaller aircraft, so you can expect to see less space-absorbing avionics, such as amplifiers and wide-dimension monitors. Small and medium size cabins easily lend themselves to www.AVBUYER.com
