Although in-flight entertainment provides a much-needed distraction for passengers, it’s also crucial for making the most of in-air time for executives facilitating business meetings and multimedia presentations.
Modern in-flight entertainment systems include a wide variety of media:
- audio entertainment, usually with the assistance of headphones, compatible with XM Satellite Radio and iPods
- video entertainment through large screens at the front of the cabin or personal television sets, offering movies, direct-broadcast satellite television as well as video games
- moving-map systems
- in-flight Internet connection for Web browsing, text messaging, cellphones, and emailing
- satellite telephones
- wi-fi
- mobile phones
Because of the amount of wiring needed, risk of voltage leaks and possible arcing issues, safety is a major concern in creating an in-flight entertainment system. To contain these potential problems, the in-flight entertainment system is typically isolated from the aircraft’s main systems. And in the U.S., a company’s product must pass all of the applicable requirements found in the Federal Aviation Regulations for the FAA to certify it safe and reliable.
FAA regulations mean that once the electronic equipment is approved for installation and use, it’s properly labeled and that its design is appropriate to its intended function. And to ensure that it doesn’t alter the safety or function of the aircraft, the in-flight entertainment system must be independent from the aircraft’s main power source and processor.
Here’s a list of companies that make components for or full in-flight entertainment systems:
- PS Engineering Inc. makes affordable systems that are designed specifically for single/twin/turboprop aircraft. It produces a family of IFE systems from which customers can choose.
- Flight Display Systems manufactures more than 100 aircraft LCD monitors and in-flight entertainment products that include moving maps, cabin management systems, high-definition LCD screens and monitors; mounts; amps and splitters; audio/video; and retrofit/upgrades.
- Rosen Aviation is a leader in the design and manufacturing of quality flat-panel displays, source equipment and accessories for the aviation industry.
- Alto Aviation designs and manufacturers premium cabin audio systems for corporate aviation fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, as well as 135 and 121 operators. The company’s complete line of products includes custom amplifiers, entertainment loudspeakers, subwoofers, page/chime loudspeakers and surround sound systems for any aircraft cabin.
- IntheAirNet creates next-generation, in-flight aircraft entertainment and information systems using a Web-based technological approach and Internet business model. IntheAirNet offers a reliable, complete solution for customers requiring Internet passenger and crew information, ubiquitous entertainment, intranet communication and on-board transactions.
One company, U.K.-based BlueBox Avionics, has released bluebox Ai, a portable in-flight solution that combines the iPad with the company’s proprietary security technology to protect “early-window” content, such as movies cleared for in-flight showings but not yet for pay-per-view, 10-DVD or digital sales. The company chose to combine its technology with iPad because of its long battery life and the fact that it can be loaded with games, magazines, ebooks, custom apps and video for each aircraft. Because iPads are wireless, new content can be loaded to the devices at any time. Individual iPads would also weigh less than built-in entertainment units.