Rockwell Collins is a well-recognized name in the fields of flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, cabin interiors, information management, mission communications and simulation and training. The company has developed a wide portfolio of products and systems that are used widely throughout the aerospace world, from defense applications to private aviation.

At this week's LABACE the company is highlighting some solutions that are aimed primarily at the business aviation sector, covering areas such as flight deck systems, aircraft connectivity, cabin systems and service plans. “This year we are showcasing even more of our business portfolio at LABACE to meet the needs of our customers in the region,” said Fernando DosSantos, director of sales and marketing, Americas for Rockwell Collins. “We are committed to increasing our footprint here in Brazil with broader avionics, cabin, service and connectivity offerings.”

Among the products on show is the Venue cabin management system, which is now installed in more than 1,000 business aircraft cabins. Venue includes high-clarity touchscreen displays that provide intuitive control of a range of systems. Venue runs on a fiber-optic backbone that allows content to be streamed around the cabin, supporting all major high-definition standards, and wireless connectivity that allows personal devices to integrate seamlessly for both information and communications. The system is fully integrated with broadband airborne connectivity systems.

Partnering on Venue is Stage, a subscription-based service that gives passengers access to the latest movies, TV shows, music and magazines, via wireless access points to their preferred mobile devices. Additional add-ons include news and stock market feeds, sports news and weather forecasts.

Rockwell Collins is also displaying its ADS-B OUT-compliant solutions. As part of airspace modernization processes the capability to continuously broadcast GPS aircraft position, heading and velocity information to air traffic control ground stations is becoming mandatory across the globe. The company has a number of solutions to ensure that aircraft meet the new regulations, which begin in 2020 in the U.S. and Europe. Brazilian operators planning to fly to many countries with ADS-B plans should note that the new rules will require this equipment, in order to fly in airspace where ADS-B OUT is mandated.

Around 85 percent of the global business aircraft fleet includes Rockwell Collins equipment. As well as providing the systems, Rockwell Collins also offers cost-effective service plans through its Corporate Aircraft Service Program (CASP), which guarantees high aircraft availability through the maintenance, repair and replacement of the company’s products, allowing for predictable service budgeting based on the number of hours flown.

Three levels of coverage are available, the standard CASP covering the majority of business jets, with pricing based on expected annual operating hours. CASP Essential is tailored for low-hour utilization of turboprops and light business jets, while CASP Elite is a single-source, high-level care program. Rockwell Collins has more than 2,000 customers signed up to its CASP and reports a renewal rate of approximately 90 percent.