AviTrader MRO Magazine 2017-05

Cabin solutions II
26
Cabin
fever
A number of factors are considered before a new interior is executed.
Photo: Boeing
In the second instalment of our cabin solutions feature, Keith Mwanalushi continues to analyse
the aircraft interiors market with the key players.
I
n the April edition of AviTrader MRO, a number of issues affecting
the cabin interiors sector were discussed and various
opinions have continued to trickle in. In relation to any given
cabin reconfiguration project, Dave Jackson, Managing Director
of 328 Support Services stresses that aircraft operators will often
focus on the project cost, initially. “Companies tend to work with a
number of different suppliers in order to get prices down, but they
often forget that adding multiple sources to the project may create
unexpected delays.”
Jackson stresses the main issue is dealing with too many companies
for the project. He warns that co-ordination between the parties
can sometimes be difficult especially if one is involved in manufacture,
another one in certification and a third one with installation.
“You need always to make sure that all parties involved will meet
their respective deadlines otherwise the entire project could be delayed.
The perfect option would be to have a single company capable
to deliver the entire project by itself, including part 21G design
approval, part 21J production approval and part 145 maintenance
and completion approval,” he reckons.
328 Support Services has recently worked on several Bombardier
50-seater CRJ-200s, including a conversion from a regional airline
configuration to a state-of-the-art 10-seat VIP layout. The aircraft
was fitted with the latest CMS/IFE technology based on Emteq’s
eConnect & eQuation Cabin Power©, a system which allows passengers
to use their own personal electronic devices (PEDs) to connect
and control the cabin systems. The technology also offers LED
cabin lighting, window shades and entertainment and provides
220VAC for power to recharge PEDs during the flight. Video and
audio content is streamed via WLAN. “As an OEM, we are also constantly
improving the Dornier328 with the use of new technology or
material to continue the legacy of this aircraft that are still currently
in service globally,” Jackson indicates.
MAC Aero interiors Ltd (t/a MAC Interiors) has been offering interior
solutions to the Aerospace market for more than 50 years
including lavatory upgrade kits. Mark Radford Sales and Marketing
Director feels the key issues before initiating a project are the time
frames which are given to work on it. He says it’s vital to determine
the location where the cabin reconfiguration process will be taking
place, either in-house [at the company’s UK base] or in a different
location preferable to the client.
“Also technical issues which may already surround the project, and
taking into account any other technical issues which may develop
throughout the project. Another key issue is the competence of the
workers, depending on their skill level which will secure the work
be completed on time and to a high quality,” Radford explains.
Mac Interiors possess certifications including EAS145, EASA21J and
EASA 21G.
In terms of lavatory kits MAC Interiors provide kits to enhance and
upgrade the interior of aircraft lavatories. The kits include components
that replace the OEM’s parts. Parts include, replacement
AviTrader MRO - May 2017