Stephan Schulte Lufthansa Technik Anthony Pilcher Armstrong - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Stephan Schulte Lufthansa Technik Anthony Pilcher Armstrong Aerospace APEX TC Meeting • 22-23 May 2012 • Burbank, CA USA

Agenda Introduction Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges Certification Challenges Conclusion Conclusion 1

Introduction Who we are… • Armstrong Aerospace • Lufthansa Technik • Integrator Expertise • Integrator and MRO Expertise • Aviation Technical Consulting • Aviation Technical Consulting • Engineering • Engineering • Certification • Certification • Manufacturing/Kitting • Kitting for the installation of Navigation, • Installation Communications, Connectivity and • Maintenance IFEC systems onboard commercial of Avionics, Cabins and IFEC Systems aircraft for commercial and VIP aircraft. • Anthony Pilcher • Stephan Schulte Product Manager Engineering Manager 2

Why Wireless IFE? What does wireless IFE offer that “traditional” IFE systems don’t? • Wireless IFE systems became of increasing significance lately • What do airlines want? • Low cost Business • Minimal weight also translate into low costs • High reliability System/ • Minimum power consumption Operation • Ease of installation, maintenance (and potential removal), e.g. minimally invasive mod of airframe • Improvement of passenger offering Passengers • Virtually all passengers within reach • Plus: cabin technologies follow proven concepts from COTS/home products • Idea: make you feel comfortable during your onboard experience Wireless IFE offers operators all of these features. 3

Agenda Introduction Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges Conclusion 4

Wireless IFE Architecture Wireless IFE architecture is a simple concept � Set of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) � Managed NAS (Network-Attached Storage, hosting content) / Server � Crew Panel/Terminal � Minimal aircraft interface, brackets, cables/harnesses 3 1 1 4 1 Access Point(s) 1 NAS / Server 2 Crew Panel(s) 3 Provisions 4 3 2 But wait, there’s more…wireless IFE plays well with complementing modules. 5

Complementing Modules Wireless IFE doesn ’ ’ ’ ’ t have to go to the party alone. • Enhanced System Capability • Connectivity • Ground Operation / Gate Services Link • Daily-Content Updates • Electronic-Flight Bag (EFB) • In-Seat Power (ISP) • Airline-Distributed Devices Wireless IFE provides strategic operator flexibility for passenger offerings. 6

What About Drawbacks? No substantial ones, but there are certainly challenges. • Challenges are significant to operators, integrators and system providers • Main Challenges: • Testing • Engineering • Certification Concept Testing Engineering Certification Completion • No installation without all three • Single-source integration strategy requisite to overcome repetitive challenges throughout three-faceted process Challenges are numerous, unique, and exit in all phases of integration. 7

Agenda Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges Conclusion 8

Testing Challenges An exercise in competing objectives • Logistics • Testing duration, equipment, team and locations • Local Communication Regulatory Bodies • Licensing and adaptive test plans • Practical Limitations • Aircraft configurations • Equipment compatibility • Interferences • Mitigating actions Communication and setting expectations are essential. 9

Agenda Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges Conclusion 10

Engineering Challenges It isn ’ ’ t just throwing a couple access points on an aircraft ’ ’ Customized design to suffice individual needs • • Airline-operation requirements • Regional/National or cultural requirements CWAP Installation Design Requirements • • Where? • How? • How many? Required environmental aspects • • Heat/cooling, space, pressure, power, etc. • Adjacent equipment Unique takes on a whole new meaning. 11

Engineering Challenges No tunnel vision, … Smart design leads to easy maintainability • • Smart design includes operational consideration • Leverage airline affiliation and keep your airline friends close • Always consider the power of crew unions Do leased fleets need to look any different? • … and you’ll find success. Smart design equates to success. 12

Agenda Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges Certification Challenges Conclusion 13

Certification Challenges Harmonization would be nice. • CAA/NAA Harmonization in process – still room to go today • Wireless IFE Newness = Lacking Policy/Regulation • Part 25 (aircraft) / Part 91 (operator) Split • Passenger-Only vs. Crew-Use Systems tomorrow Established relationships, early coordination, and consistent communication overcome regulatory challenges. 14

Agenda Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges Certification Challenges Conclusion Conclusion 15

Conclusion Wireless IFE systems have tremendous operator value and appeal … • Concept: wireless IFE systems are simple to integrate and certify • Practice: this is not the case • Path to completion is rocky, not well-traveled • And there is more adventure to come • Challenges are new, unique, and replace those of wired IFE systems Learning curve is long, steep and constantly changing • Precedence is not well-established • Guess Requires expertise • Experience leads to expertise Expertise • Experience • Lack of experience leads to guessing Guess Trend yesterday tomorrow History … and make a great addition or alternative to commonly-used wired systems. 16

Conclusion Effective solution requires global experience as well as innovative and multi-faceted ideas designed to overcome challenges in all integration phases. Thank you for your attention! 17

More Questions? Please contact us: Stephan Schulte stephan.schulte@lht.dlh.de Anthony Pilcher anthony.pilcher@armstrongaerospace.com 18 APEX TC Meeting • 22-23 May 2012 • Burbank, CA USA