Developer and supplier of advanced technologies for the global aerospace industry, Astronics Corporation has made three announcements this week. The first is that the company’s subsidiary, Astronics AeroSat, has received the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Validation of Supplemental Type Certification (VSTC) for its satellite communications (SATCOM) connectivity system. Specifically, the VSTC validates the FliteStream F-310 connectivity system and its new ARINC 791-style AeroShield radome and adapter plate system. Complete data for this inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFE&C) solution is available in CAAC VSTC0870.
In other news, another subsidiary, Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification (CSC), has shipped more than 10,000 cabin wireless access points (CWAPs) to enable inflight connectivity systems on aircraft. According to the company, this milestone means that Astronics’ CWAPs serve as the most broadly accepted 802.11ac CWAPs in the market today.
Finally, the company’s Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) subsidiary is now providing its new wireless charging module (WCM) for integration into several suppliers’ seat models, which will be named in due course. The first integrations are scheduled to roll out on aircraft in early 2019 and Astronics AES is also working with additional seat suppliers to outfit wireless charging programs that will occur later in 2019 and beyond.
The 15W WCM was introduced in April at Aircraft Interiors Expo, and the company is reporting widespread recognition for the device as a desirable option for charging passengers’ electronic devices (PEDs). Airlines are anticipating the passenger demand for wireless charging and in response, seat manufacturers are integrating this unit into their seats and furniture to provide quick charging of Qi-enabled wireless devices such as mobile phones and tablets from Apple, Samsung and others.
Mark Peabody, President of Astronics AES, commented, “Astronics AES envisioned the wireless charging module to augment existing EmPower products offered today. This is becoming a reality as it provides airlines another way to give passengers all the comforts of the home or office right at the airline seat. The wireless charger can be integrated with existing EmPower products offered from Astronics or from IFE suppliers using Astronics power supplies in their IFE offering.”
