AVIONICS.qxp_Finance 25/01/2022 11:48 Page 1
AVIONICS
An Outlook for Avionics in 2022 What will happen in the avionics industry during 2022? Which types of upgrade will be in demand, and what will drive the demand? Ken Elliott shares his outlook…
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ovid-19 variants, supplychain issues, and workforce migration all directly impact avionics, which complicates any attempt to provide an outlook for the trade in 2022. Nevertheless, we will attempt to do so. One certainty is that whenever there is uncertainty people and companies seek a safe harbor – this holds true within the aviation and avionics industries, too. Indeed, one avionics-related safe harbor worth mentioning is a trend towards less custom equipage and upgrades. During 2022, manufactures will build for predictability, as more customers turn to standard equipment and installations, having greater confidence in product availability, skilled manpower familiar with the tasks, and (presumably) lower cost. Outlook #1: Expect to see a growth in standard factory and third-party upgrades where equipment and parts are available and not ‘custom produced to order’. As the year progresses, factors limiting availability should improve and more custom orders can be taken.
76 Vol 26 Issue 2 2022 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
Where Does Your Aircraft fit in the Forecast?
A forward-look of avionics will likely differ between groups of business jets and turboprops, and their age. Thus, the term ‘legacy’ can be assumed as the period commencing after the expiration of factory warranty. Irrespective of warranty considerations, where the factory and third parties become involved in avionics upgrades is not clear cut. For most legacy upgrades undertaken after the warranty period expires, both Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and third parties will compete in an open playing field. However, some upgrades can only be offered by the factory, regardless of the aircraft’s age. Within the warranty period there are likely to be several factory-only system upgrades – both mandated and optional – which upgrade avionics to the latest version to include new features, and provide product issue resolutions. Within the legacy, or pre-owned aircraft group, there are aircraft that were initially factory-equipped and subsequently had several minor upgrades over the years. There are also those that were recently
upgraded in a significant way. Take, for example, the Bombardier Challenger 604 upgrade from Collins Pro Line IV to Pro Line 21 Fusion: Here the major avionic suite is upgraded impacting large sections of the cockpit and remote equipment. Clearly, those legacy Challenger 604s that remain largely in their existing configuration will have different outlook needs than those with the newer avionics suites, despite the age of each airframe.
Groups can be assumed as: •
New Business Jets/Turboprops and Transport Helicopters - OEM only - Third Party, or both OEM and Third Party www.AVBUYER.com
