SHOWCASING THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AIRCRAFT INTERIORS WORLD

In spite of a gloomy global economic outlook, the aircraft interiors industry continues to buck the trend. At Aircraft Interiors Expo from 1-3 April more than 500 exhibiting companies from 27 countries will be showcasing the best of what economy, business and first class passengers could be experiencing in the air in months or years to come.

Inflight entertainment

Even inflight entertainment (IFE) products – a significant part of the exhibition again this year with 84 exhibitors involved in this area – are looking to become more lightweight. Panasonic Avionics has created an IFE system that is lighter than its predecessor systems as well as having enhanced performance levels. The eX2 system delivers a 30 to 40 per cent reduction in weight with double or triple the functionality within the same space. Rockwell Collins will be demonstrating a digital version of its programmable audio video entertainment system - dPAVES™. When compared with analogue systems, dPAVES takes up 85 per cent less space, weighs 70 per cent less and uses 75 per cent less power to run it.

Other IFE products in the spotlight include Vision Systems Aeronautics’ independent multimedia system and inflight peripherals company IFPL’s multimedia docking stations that enable passengers to access the aircraft’s IFE system using their own iPod, MP4 player, Zunes or DVD player. IMS Inflight will be promoting its portable media player product line which includes its latest Portable Data Loading technology for high-speed content loading and its next generation Terminal Data Loader.