Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

JetBed (Booth No. 1135) is expanding its line of inflatable aircraft beds. CEO Gary Bosstick told AIN that the company will soon launch products for Embraer executive jets and Pilatus PC-12 turboprops. 
JetBeds are available for most Bombardier, Cessna, Falcon, Gulfstream and Hawker business jets at prices that range from $5,000 to $6,000 each. The beds weigh less than 20 pounds and deploy from an integral carry bag when placed on an aircraft floor between two facing single seats. The mattress inflates in less than a minute with the aid of a portable and rechargeable battery pump. Mattress pressure may be changed by adjusting a valve and deflates by inserting the pump filler nozzle into the valve, folding the head and foot planks over it, and rezipping the bag. 
Bosstick, a Citation CJ3 ­owner- pilot, developed JetBed after being frustrated with his lack of choices with regard to inflatable mattresses for his aircraft. “I wanted my wife and kids to be able to lie down in back and take a nap. In little jets there is no way to get your back straight, never mind trying to lie down and sleep.” After “kicking around some ideas for four or five years,” Bosstick contracted with a manufacturing partner to produce his design. 
While he guards the specifics of JetBed technology, Bosstick does identify the fabric as a high quality “ballistic nylon” that does not stretch and is mated with “a precisely applied special formula urethane.” Some of the fabric technology is proprietary. It meets FAR 25.853(a) flammability standards, he said, Electronic welding is used to manufacture the units and tolerances are precise. “A variation of as little as three thousandth of an inch in the tooling can lead to a defective product,” Bosstick said. 
“This is not like an air mattress you buy at [a discount retailer]. There is no sensation of differential pressure anywhere on a JetBed. When you lie on it, it is like lying on your bed at [a nice] hotel,” he added. 
Bosstick said exact measurement is the key to constructing JetBeds that fit each aircraft type precisely. “We get the seat dimensions from the OEMs, but that is not sufficient,” he said, comparing the process to custom tailoring. “You can give a tailor some basic dimensions and get a suit based on that, but it is not like going to Saville Row and having the tailor measure you and then lay the fabric on your body.” 
For that reason, JetBed personnel go aboard each aircraft and take measurements not of just the seats, but also of the adjacent structures. JetBeds “have to fit all sorts of little things that escape people’s attention,” Bosstick said.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

JetBed is more than a mattress

JetBed (Booth No.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Enhanced sound and 4K visuals added

Duncan Upgrades Falcon 900EX With New CMS System

Jessica Reed

Initial purchase of five terminals was announced at EBACE 2025

Falcon Charter Fleet Pioneers Gogo HDX in Middle East

Amy Wilder

Gogo CEO details STC progress, mixed-fleet compatibility, and Europe growth

Gogo Pushes Global Coverage with Galileo HDX Antenna

Matt Thurber

JetXP offers uncapped speed and new service enhancements

Viasat Improves Satcom Coverage in Middle East, South America

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company's fleet, air charter, and sales activity rise

Global Jet Reports Growth across Divisions

System supports multiple input and output formats

Innovative Advantage Unveils New Signal Converter Box

Lightweight soft-case design tailored for bizjets

Aeromedic Unveils Regulation-compliant First Aid Kits

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

NBAA Convention News 2010

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics