A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Germany’s Idair (Booth T95), developer and manufacturer of in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) and cabin management systems (CMS) for VIP airliners, announced winning contracts for a trio of head-of-state aircraft—two B777s and a B787 for two undisclosed customers—this week at EBACE 2019.&nbsp;

 


Its tailored IFEC/CMS for the 777s incorporates&nbsp;4K UHD displays, overhead surround and in-seat audio, window shades control, a dynamic lighting system, moving map, and audiovisual on demand. It is operated through an intuitive graphical user interface, “allowing passengers and crew to experience an easy and elegant method of controlling the cabin environment with seamless accessibility from mobile devices,” according to Idair.

 


The company provided&nbsp;identical systems for two 777s delivered in the second half of last year. “This award underlines the positive results of our previous installations and deliveries,” said Idair managing director Alan Cumming.

 


Meanwhile, Idair's system for the 787 Dreamliner features Wi-Fi access, wireless and wired Ethernet, passenger device integration, and a satellite broadband internet solution, delivering an experience that passengers would expect in a home or office environment on the ground, the company said.

 


Content of Idair’s IFE systems&nbsp;can include the latest cinema releases, music, and games, along with a wide range of TV channels. The communication system supports onboard use of passengers’ mobile and personal devices, and the&nbsp;surround-sound audio features an advanced trim panel speaker sound distribution system that turns side-walls and overhead panels into speakers, delivering a wider frequency response than traditional loudspeaker systems.

 


Meanwhile, its highly customizable, true 3D moving map incorporates real satellite imagery and includes chase-plane views, information pages, and banners that depict aircraft location, flight route, and nearby points of interest.

 


Established in April 2011, Hamburg-headquartered Idair is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and Panasonic Avionics Corp. Its successes to date “demonstrate the flexibility of its product and service portfolio from standalone to fully integrated IFEC/CMS systems on narrow- and widebody VIP aircraft alike,” said Idair CEO Dr. Wassef Ayadi.

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.

Idair Inks Trio of VIP Cabin System Orders

Hamburg-based company offers advanced entertainment and communication systems for single-aisle and wide-body VIP airliners.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

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.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Aircraft