With the SportJet, Sukhoi intends to attract some of the US$600m a year sports air transportation market. This modified Superjet 100 has specialist sports therapy and training equipment on board that can help athletes arrive at their next fixture rested, recovered and ready to win. This is no concept: the SportJet is now the official aircraft of the Russian Olympic Team
The variable lighting in each seat can be set to suit the occupant’s needs, whether rest or stimulation. The adaptive lighting system in the cabin can also reduce the effects of jet lag, and can of course be set to a team’s official colours For full details of SportJet, see http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/916a9f6f#/916a9f6f/112
The seats feature biomedical technology including bioimpedance sensors and pulse oximeters integrated into the armrests, backrest and seat pad, which can monitor physiological and psychological parameters during a flight. A wearable diagnostic device – the Sportband – also monitors each athlete’s functional state and displays an individual air adaptation index
While the athlete’s seats are fitted with several health-monitoring devices, the feel is of comfort and luxury, rather than a clinical environment
As well as international sports markets, Sukhoi sees great potential in the Russian leisure market, which is growing aggressively. For example, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) has 29 clubs from seven countries that cover eight time zones
A bespoke software system processes the data gained from the in-seat health sensors and generates recommendations for each athlete’s flight program, which is displayed on the IFE monitor
in this zone the team coaches can huddle to watch game footage and plan tactics for the next fixture
For in-depth health diagnosis, athletes can be hooked up to the aeroscan diagnostic capsule, which includes many physical assessment technologies
Injured players can be treated on a multifunctional lie-flat biomedical table, which can be used for physical therapy, including cryotherapy (extreme cold treatments), electrical muscle stimulation therapy, press and lymphatic drainage, and massage – or simply as a flat surface for badly injured athletes to lie on during flight
Adam loves air travel, and since taking on the Aircraft Interiors International brand he has really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the latest aircraft and airline products before they are even launched. Adam co-ordinates the growth of the brand platform, and sits on various panels, including the Crystal Cabin Awards
By Adam Gavine
