April 10, 2016 – Rockwell Collins’ PAVES passenger service system (PSS) has been certified by EASA for Airbus A330 aircraft. The company teamed with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) to design, install and achieve the supplemental type certificate (STC) as part of a cabin upgrade for A330 from AERCAP.
Rockwell Collins’ PSS is a standalone reading light and cabin crew call system with USB charging ports that replaces discontinued or unsupported systems. According to the supplier, depending on the system it replaces, PAVES PSSs can bring weight savings in excess of 1,000 lbs. The systems can operate as an independent system or with a variety of passenger entertainment solutions, including wireless, connectivity or overhead IFE, while requiring less power to operate than legacy systems and having improved reliability.
In a very limited timeframe, the AFI KLM E&M Part 21 team designed and certified a solution to integrate this promising system on the A330 at its hangar in Amsterdam, with the support of Rockwell Collins team on site.
“Obsolescence of legacy reading light and cabin call systems, which are required to sell a seat, will soon become a reality that many airlines have to face,” said Greg Irmen, VP and general manager, flight controls and information systems for Rockwell Collins. “The innovative installation approach that AFI KLM E&M and Rockwell Collins took during this upgrade and resulting certification makes avoiding obsolescence easy and will more than pay for itself in the long run.”
