Astronics (Booth 214) has come to NBAA 2018 with a range of announcements, but its main theme is to build the Astronics brand coincident with it reaching its 50th anniversary. Until last year, the $1 billion company marketed itself as 11 different companies.
Its Astronics Luminescent Systems (Astronics LSI) unit has been granted FAA PMA approval for its new LED landing and taxi lights, which can replace traditional filament-based lights that have much shorter lives. “Airframe manufacturers, airlines, and private owners can now incorporate these lights onto new and retrofit aircraft to take advantage of the life-cycle cost savings,” said James Kramer, president of Astronics LSI. The lights come in three industry standard sizes: PAR 36, 46 and 64.
The East Aurora, New York-based company’s Astronics Max-Viz subsidiary has meanwhile seen its Max-Viz 2300 enhanced vision system (EVS) installed and certified by Sikorsky on a new S-76D helicopter. According to Tom Geiger, business unit manager, the company has shipped more than 3,000 EVS applications.
Astronics also is showing its FliteStream T-310 satcom connectivity equipment at its NBAA booth, as well as a cabin mockup showing its mood lighting and how lighting, seats, and IFE devices can be controlled through a handheld device. In addition, it is demonstrating its "Li-Fi" (like Wi-Fi but with light) concept, which it believes could increase Wi-Fi data transfer speeds in the cabin.
Matthew Harrah, president of Astronics Aerosat, explained to AIN that the FliteStream T-Series uses its Rexolite Lens technology for high efficiency. “We’ve developed our tail- and fuselage-mounted antenna systems provide maximum performance across the full range of Ku-band satellite technologies.”
He added the company continues to have direct relationships with Satcom Direct and Inmarsat. For Satcom Direct’s new SD Xperience, launched this week at NBAA 2018, Astronics is the tail-mount antenna supplier.
