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

Introduction Conclusion Certification Challenges Engineering Challenges Testing Challenges

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Agenda

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

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Introduction

• Armstrong Aerospace
• Integrator Expertise
• Aviation Technical Consulting
• Engineering
• Certification
• Manufacturing/Kitting

for the installation of Navigation, Communications, Connectivity and IFEC systems onboard commercial aircraft

• Anthony Pilcher

Engineering Manager

• Lufthansa Technik
• Integrator and MRO Expertise
• Aviation Technical Consulting
• Engineering
• Certification
• Kitting
• Installation
• Maintenance
• f Avionics, Cabins and IFEC Systems

for commercial and VIP aircraft.

• Stephan Schulte

Product Manager

Who we are…

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Why Wireless IFE?

• Wireless IFE systems became of increasing significance lately
• What do airlines want?

Wireless IFE offers operators all of these features. What does wireless IFE offer that “traditional” IFE systems don’t?

Business

• Low cost
• Minimal weight
• Plus: cabin technologies follow proven concepts from COTS/home products
• Idea: make you feel comfortable during your onboard experience

System/ Operation

• High reliability
• Minimum power consumption
• Ease of installation, maintenance (and potential

removal), e.g. minimally invasive mod of airframe

Passengers

• Improvement of passenger offering
• Virtually all passengers within reach

also translate into low costs

Conclusion Certification Challenges Engineering Challenges Testing Challenges

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Agenda

Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Concept in a Nutshell Introduction

Wireless IFE Architecture

Wireless IFE architecture is a simple concept

Set of Wireless Access Points (WAPs)

But wait, there’s more…wireless IFE plays well with complementing modules.

3 2 3 1 1 1 1

Access Point(s)

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NAS / Server

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Crew Panel(s)

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Provisions

Managed NAS (Network-Attached Storage, hosting content) / Server Crew Panel/Terminal Minimal aircraft interface, brackets, cables/harnesses

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Complementing Modules

• 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. Wireless IFE doesn’ ’ ’ ’t have to go to the party alone.

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What About Drawbacks?

• Challenges are significant to operators, integrators and system providers
• Main Challenges:
• Testing
• Engineering
• Certification

Challenges are numerous, unique, and exit in all phases of integration. No substantial ones, but there are certainly challenges.

• No installation without all three
• Single-source integration strategy requisite to overcome repetitive

challenges throughout three-faceted process

Concept Completion Testing Engineering Certification 7

Conclusion Certification Challenges Engineering Challenges Testing Challenges

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Agenda

Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges

Testing Challenges

• Logistics
• Testing duration, equipment, team and locations

Communication and setting expectations are essential. An exercise in competing objectives

• Practical Limitations
• Aircraft configurations
• Equipment compatibility
• Interferences
• Mitigating actions
• Local Communication Regulatory Bodies
• Licensing and adaptive test plans

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Conclusion Certification Challenges Engineering Challenges Testing Challenges

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Agenda

Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Testing Challenges Engineering Challenges

Engineering Challenges

• 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. It isn’ ’ ’ ’t just throwing a couple access points on an aircraft

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Engineering Challenges

• 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. No tunnel vision, …

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Conclusion Certification Challenges Engineering Challenges Testing Challenges

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Agenda

Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Engineering Challenges Certification Challenges

Certification Challenges

• CAA/NAA Harmonization in process – still room to go
• Wireless IFE Newness = Lacking Policy/Regulation
• Part 25 (aircraft) / Part 91 (operator) Split
• Passenger-Only vs. Crew-Use Systems

Established relationships, early coordination, and consistent communication overcome regulatory challenges. Harmonization would be nice.

tomorrow today

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Conclusion Certification Challenges Engineering Challenges Testing Challenges

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Agenda

Introduction Concept in a Nutshell Conclusion Certification Challenges

Conclusion

• 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
• Requires expertise
• Experience leads to expertise
• Lack of experience leads to guessing

… and make a great addition or alternative to commonly-used wired systems. Wireless IFE systems have tremendous operator value and appeal …

Expertise Experience Guess Guess

Trend History tomorrow yesterday

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Conclusion

Effective solution requires global experience as well as innovative and multi-faceted ideas designed to overcome challenges in all integration phases.

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Thank you for your attention!

More Questions? Please contact us: Stephan Schulte stephan.schulte@lht.dlh.de Anthony Pilcher anthony.pilcher@armstrongaerospace.com

APEX TC Meeting • 22-23 May 2012 • Burbank, CA USA 18