Emteq was one of the first business aviation suppliers to introduce LED lighting to the private jet cabin, and with the U.S.-based company leading the way, LED has become the standard in cabin lighting, from washroom to cockpit, to reading lights and emergency signage.

At the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Florida, in early November, Emteq introduced its Quasar II, a smaller package that is lighter in weight but offers the same light intensity as its earlier version. It also has the advantage of operating on both 28V-DC or 115V-AC and provides two-inch node resolution to allow clearer and smoother lighting control.

It was also designed with the Emteq’s cabin lighting protocol, making it a “smart-light” by eliminating the requirement for a separate control unit.

Quasar II incorporates all the advantages of the company’s earlier technology, including:

•Full spectrum LED mood lighting, which captures the nuances of white light to 32 pre-set lighting modes, from sunset/sunrise to 100 percent dimming capacity, and permits programming to fit the desired ambiance, whether it is dining or working or preparing for sleep.

•Daylight, which is a system allowing the passenger to adjust the cabin wash light through multiple shades of white, controlled through the cabin management system.

•Quasar Flex, which is easily customizable to meet any customer demand and is perfect for curved-edge designs, from credenzas and galley surfaces to lavatory mirrors.

Emteq program manage Kyle Alban said that with the growing use of “curvilinear” cabin design, Quasar Flex has been gaining popularity. “In the past the designers would have to take rigid Quasar in smaller sections to follow a curve, but it resulted in unwanted shadows and uneven lighting,” he explained. “Quasar Flex neatly solved that problem.”

Another recent advance is the company’s flat-panel LED lighting where the panels are evenly lighted with no hot spots, so they are ideal for shower walls, tabletops and bulkhead panels. These have also been used in a conference table so that the backlighted alabaster stone inlay seemed to glow. While it is currently available only in white, it can also be made available in full spectrum. “We just haven’t had a client ask for it yet,” said a company spokeswoman.

Emteq has expanded well beyond the usual up-wash and down-wash lighting and is now providing everything from custom-built lamps to sconces, chandeliers, reading lights, logos, symbols and emergency signage. “The possibilities and applications for lighting are endless,” said Alban. “With resolution of two inches, we can simulate anything, even a waterfall.” Technology has moved well beyond simple cabin lighting and designers are considering the type of lighting and how it can be placed to enhance the cabin décor and function as the owner selects fabrics and colors. “Lighting is a crucial element in setting the cabin ambiance. Being able to change that lighting in flight, and even program it, really enhances the flying experience,” she added.

Emteq’s lighting possibilities interface seamlessly with systems of other providers, from Honeywell to Rockwell Collins. Also, eConnect interfaces nicely with suppliers such as Rosen and Alto. “We like to play nice with everybody… we think the client should have a choice,” said Albano.

Emteq had its start in 1996 in New Berlin, Wisconsin, in the basement of founder, president and CEO Jerry Jendusa. Today the company has nearly 500 employees worldwide, from its New Berlin headquarters to Bachenbulach, Switzerland, to Taubaté in Brazil.