Cabin enhancements are in high demand, and Duncan Aviation (Booth C9125) is seeing noteworthy trends among clients, starting with “a marked increase in the number of interior requests that personalize aircraft interiors to the operator's tastes and usage,” Lori Johnson, marketing communications manager, said on the eve of the gathering. This represents “a change from the more generic and conservative trends in aircraft interiors we have seen since 2009,” she added. The personalization is expressed in elements such as brighter colors, custom carpets in larger-scale patterns and custom seat designs that use two-tone leathers, quilting, welt cord and contrasting stitching to provide unusual patterns and looks.

Illumination is playing a larger role in interior design, such as colored and color-changing upwash and downwash lighting in the cabin, and for spotlighting design and interior elements including cupholders, galleys, wine coolers and even lavatory elements. Alternative finishes, such as carbon-fiber material, painted finishes and metal and leather on cabinets are also becoming more popular.

Some changes are directly related to technology advancements, Johnson said. Inflight entertainment (IFE) and connectivity upgrades put strains on aging cabin management systems (CMS), many of which are incompatible with new technologies. This creates demand for CMS upgrades, which in turn drive cabin design changes to integrate new touchscreen switch panels, larger HD monitors and carry-on devices.

Connectivity Options

Duncan’s Citation CJ3 Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion flight deck upgrade, in development and showcased at last year’s NBAA in a jet on static display, has been STC’d, and Duncan is updating more CJ3s. The upgrade provides a new aftermarket option for meeting coming mandates while enhancing user experience—especially important for CJ3 operators as many of these models are owner flown.

Connectivity is another highly sought cabin enhancement. With its STCs covering business jets from all major OEMs, Duncan has installed more than 600 Gogo Business Aviation ATG Wi-Fi systems, providing airborne internet access over the U.S. and portions of Canada and Mexico. Now Duncan is developing STCs for Gogo’s new 4G service and Wi-Fi equipment, covering installations in half a dozen series of Bombardier Challengers and Globals, Gulfstreams and Dassault Falcons. 

Duncan engineers are also providing operational support and design direction to SmartSky Networks, which is developing a 4G LTE-based high speed airborne connectivity network capable of supporting real-time internet access, video streaming and video conferencing.

Duncan is offering an ADS-B installation scheduling program, allowing operators to reserve an ADS-B upgrade slot at one of its satellite avionics facilities from now through 2019. Of Duncan’s 454 STCs, 37 are for ADS-B solutions, covering more than 100 aircraft models, Johnson noted.

A collection of videos and photographs illustrating its interior refurbishments, cabin upgrades and exterior paint designs are on display at the company's booth (C9125), where Duncan experts are on hand to answer all cabin upgrade questions and discuss interior enhancement options.

Customers can also learn about the company's other services that it is showcasing, such as maintenance, parts and aircraft sales and acquisitions.