![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.skiesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Flying-Colours-upping-its-Avionics-business_edited-1-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Many of his customers are younger, reported Shirazi, and they are looking to complete their aircraft in fabrics and finishes similar to their homes. White oak is popular, as are lighter carpets, muted finishes and earth-toned seats. Smooth, rounded edges are seen on tables and credenzas, while custom matte-finish stone veneer is popular for counters in lavatories and galleys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI find that most customers we deal with are trying to get the \u2018living room at home\u2019 experience in their aircraft,\u201d he said. \u201cA big request in the galley is an espresso machine\u2014it\u2019s a big-ticket item that everyone wants. They also want bar amenities with ice, cocktails, a proper area for mixing drinks, a small fridge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shirazi said it\u2019s not common for North American customers to cook on their aircraft\u2014they usually order catering, unlike their European counterparts. Having said that, VIP Completions fits most aircraft with a microwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to passenger comfort, the company\u2019s custom cabin management system (CMS) allows clients to control the lighting, window shades, audio, cabin temperature, and even play a movie\u2014all through their iPad, smartphone, or a touch panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customers often select multi-colored RGB LED lighting, which enables presets, dimming and mood setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAudio and lighting are important to a young clientele,\u201d said Shirazi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, internet connectivity is top-of-mind for clients of any age. \u201cPeople expect full connectivity, as they would have at home. The most common is Gogo\u2019s Avance L5 system; it delivers good value for the dollar in the U.S.,\u201d he said. \u201cLately, everyone is talking about Starlink [internet connections] for business aviation, which is high-speed, satellite-based. That\u2019s the future of connectivity, for sure. Everyone will want an international satellite-based system similar to Starlink; Gogo has its Galileo system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shirazi said more than half of VIP Completions\u2019 jobs also involve exterior paint, a process the company manages on behalf of its customers. \u201cYounger entrepreneurs are looking to go all out. The days of white with three stripes are gone. Now, it\u2019s two-tone dark colors, metallics, carbon fibre accents, air brushing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flying Colours Corp. operates from sites in Peterborough, Ont., and St. Louis, Mo. The former location is mainly geared to refurbishing aircraft, while St. Louis concentrates on providing maintenance services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFlying Colours has had extensive experience working on Gulfstream, Embraer, and Bombardier aircraft,\u201d explained Eric Gillespie, Flying Colours\u2019 VP of operations. \u201cEach aircraft is individually styled, and Flying Colours is tasked with transforming those design plans into reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe begin by removing existing elements, monuments, and avionics, and upgrading them with new upholstery, cabinetry, sidewalls and ledges, bulkheads, metalwork, connectivity, in-flight entertainment and CMS [cabin management systems],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Popular modern materials include leather, stone veneers, luxurious fabrics, and a variety of metal finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beginning at the front of the aircraft, all-glass cockpits with touchscreens are part of every avionics upgrade. Also in demand are synthetic vision systems that present a 3D representation of the outside world, autopilot features, and moving maps that depict real-time airport layouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCompatibility with next-gen navigation systems is also essential to maintain asset value,\u201d Gillespie pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving further back, a versatile galley that optimizes space is always in demand. Here, stone veneers are popular for countertops and one-piece sinks with milled drains. Gillespie, too, said espresso machines are now the norm rather than the exception, while mixed metal accents are coming into the galley, with brushed nickel being popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStone veneers are also used in entryways, and as the area with the most footfall, they add durability and are easy to clean,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for staying connected, Gillespie explained non-functioning connectivity is considered an AOG (aircraft on ground) item. \u201cMost passengers will travel with a minimum of two devices, which necessitates more charging areas\u2014these are being built into tables and side ledges\u2014as well as more stowage for devices and more redundancy, as passengers do more with their data.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aircraft must connect to high-speed Ka-band or Ku-band for reliable and consistent internet, said Gillespie. There is an increasing number of suppliers in this arena, including Viasat, Intelsat, Starlink, and Gogo ATG services. Newer entrants such as OneWeb and Kuiper (Amazon) have also joined the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He explained operators must have an antenna on the aircraft tail to receive satellite signals, and a router inside to receive and distribute the Wi-Fi signal throughout the cabin and back to the satellite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn airtime agreement will provide the data pipe from the satellite to the aircraft,\u201d he continued. \u201cAirtime agreements vary in terms of what they provide. Still, at a minimum, we recommend that an owner equip aircraft with the latest technology to future-proof their connectivity needs and choose a provider that offers excellent customer support around the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passengers travelling in private aircraft expect to \u201clive their terrestrial life at altitude,\u201d and different cabin zones take them through the different stages of their day. Flying Colours\u2019 Gillespie said wellness spaces are increasingly popular, for relaxation and private time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs aircraft range increases, so does the time passengers fly, which requires interiors to transform from workspaces to entertainment areas to relaxation zones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flying Colours in Peterborough also boasts an on-site paint shop. Gillespie said a plane\u2019s exterior is becoming a customized canvas, with more complicated paint schemes gaining popularity. Painted curls, flashes and stripes are regularly requested. Thankfully, as technology develops, these details are easier to add.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Huron Park, Ont., New United Goderich bills itself as a one-stop shop for all things aviation. From maintenance to avionics to custom exterior paint, the company\u2019s 82,000-square-foot (7,618-square-metre) facility has completed projects for customers in the U.S., The Netherlands and Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s an advantage for us because clients don\u2019t have to go elsewhere,\u201d explained Curtis Brydges, deputy general manager. \u201cThere is less down time for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past few years, the company has found itself converting several regional jets (RJs) from airline duty to corporate configurations. A typical project might see this type of jet equipped with 16 to 20 business class seats, with USB outlets and Wi-Fi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have a couple of STCs [supplemental type certificates] for these types,\u201d said Brydges. \u201cI think we\u2019ve made a name for ourselves in RJ conversions. We have STCs for Embraer ERJ-135\/145 conversions and have done 14 of those so far. We also do a full CRJ-200 VIP conversion\u2014a 15-pack VIP seating with full galley, full CMS system, and aux tanks for longer range. We\u2019ve done four of those, with the STC covered by an agreement with our customer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the last year and a half, New United Goderich has been installing light and dark grey interiors, according to sales manager Derek Campbell. \u201cFabric sidewalls are gone; we use leather now for easier cleaning. Likewise, divans are in leather and not fabric.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He, too, reported older-style wood veneers have mostly disappeared. Now, hydrographics (water transfer printing) has become popular, although New United Goderich prefer to use 3M\u2019s durable DI-NOC architectural finishes, a flexible vinyl that comes in thousands of patterns and colours. Applied with a heat gun, the material can be more easily moulded around sinks or other rounded edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe faster we can get the job done, the happier our clients are,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cWe can control the outcome on the delivery with DI-NOC; unlike hydrographics, we don\u2019t have to use an outside vendor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the jets being refurbished at New United Goderich are company aircraft, so corporate colours are always popular for exterior paint. The ubiquitous Matterhorn White is a perennial favourite base colour, but several customers last year selected lighter and darker greys, said Brydges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMetallics are popular, but if you need to do rework down the road, they are hard to match,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt depends what the customer is doing with the aircraft. If it\u2019s a workhorse, they may go with easier colours to fix down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While New United Goderich is always happy to take a custom job, it all comes down to budget and timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe want to get back into Gulfstreams, [Dassault] Falcons, get back to custom interiors,\u201d said Brydges. \u201cWe love custom and we love new projects, but it\u2019s also true that if you can get a contract where you\u2019re doing the same thing, it becomes faster and more efficient\u2014like a customer we have in the U.S. who will be operating up to 16 of our RJ conversions. Essentially, we want to be that company that does everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At AIRHAWKE in Montreal, the focus is on providing full-service engineering and design solutions for aircraft conversions and completions in the VIP, special mission and cargo markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would say the majority of our work at the moment is in the VIP space,\u201d said CEO David Vanderzwaag. \u201cWithin that, there are three segments: Business jet reconfigurations, corporate conversions of primarily regional aircraft, and large and narrowbody completions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIRHAWKE\u2019s customers are aircraft completion and conversion centres or manufacturers of a product that supports a completion or conversion. Its customer base is global, although predominantly North American and European.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSometimes they contact us for overflow work; sometimes, it\u2019s because we have a unique expertise,\u201d said Vanderzwaag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIRHAWKE operates from a 3,000-square-foot (279-square-metre) facility in Saint-Laurent, Que., with a 25-member team made up of mostly engineers specializing in mechanical\/structures, interiors, systems, and electrical. At the beginning of a project, a team travels to the aircraft with 3D scanning equipment to capture exact measurements, so accurate solutions can be engineered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCustomers are pushing to incorporate the products and equipment that they might see at their home or business,\u201d reported Vanderzwaag. \u201cThat creates unique challenges because often, this equipment is not aircraft grade. We entertain a lot of requests for COTS (commercial off the shelf) compartments that are essentially flame-proof compartments with a door and an outlet. People put their espresso maker, their coffee service, maybe a microwave, in these compartments. When the door is closed, it deactivates power to that compartment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, the cost of bringing some of this equipment on-board can be prohibitive, especially considering the power requirements. In those cases, Vanderzwaag said, it\u2019s up to the customer. Pretty much anything can be done\u2014within weight limits, and within reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to the passenger cabin, he also mentioned connectivity is at the top of the must-have list. AIRHAWKE has participated in some Gogo installations and completed several Starlink installations in the past year. In the VVIP space, where aircraft are typically large, a two-antenna system is often recommended for redundancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn the business jet side, we\u2019ve definitely seen redundancy with a Starlink system paired with a Gogo system,\u201d noted Vanderzwaag. \u201cThere is a huge buzz around Starlink right now. The challenge is them being able to support that demand. The other one we\u2019re seeing is OneWeb, a direct competitor to Starlink.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some recent projects supported by AIRHAWKE include underlit countertops in lavatories, transparent bulkheads and partitions, side ledges with wireless charging, mood lighting, and even racetrack lighting in large VIP cabins\u2014\u201ckind of a casino look with the lighting in an oval shape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vanderzwaag said business aviation seems to be busy in general, with a \u201cton of requests over the past three to six months to support new aircraft development, corporate conversions and VIP.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For new aircraft development, he\u2019s noticed a trend toward automotive-type design for the interiors, where everything is complex contours. \u201cWe are supporting that\u2014the complexity of the curvature drives a lot of tooling. It\u2019s a bit non-traditional in terms of aircraft interiors, which generally used flat panels in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also reported an uptick in Bombardier CRJ200 and Embraer E145\/E190 corporate conversions; in response, AIRHAWKE has spent a lot of time and effort coming up with seating options that make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur role is really to integrate the seats. As part of that, there are always some unique things done to maximize the seating. We are now honing in on two or three options for the RJ; we modify the seats and roll that into the STC.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time of writing in late August, AIRHAWKE was getting ready to debut a unique mixed reality experience to its customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMixed reality is where you can see your physical space, but overlaid on top of that is the virtual,\u201d explained Vanderzwaag. \u201cWe\u2019d like a customer to walk into a stripped green aircraft and be able to see their interior in that airplane before anything gets installed. We have demonstrated that it can be done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earthly conveniences, With significant delivery delays reported for most brand-new business jets, it\u2019s no surprise that many customers are choosing to buy a pre-owned aircraft and make it their own with a custom refurbishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Softer colors, rounded edges, mood lighting and cabin automation figure strongly on a customer\u2019s wish list, but lightning-fast connectivity is priority number one. Passengers want to feel at home in the sky, whether that means streaming a new release, calling a family member, or joining an online meeting. As the old saying goes, it seems that many of today\u2019s private aviation users aim to enjoy the journey as much as their ultimate destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Switchless cabins controlled by personal devices<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Stowage for digital devices<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Multi-purpose furniture<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Embedded tech, including charging ports<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Layered lighting\/mood lighting<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Rounded edges and organic shapes<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Natural, neutral tones<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Customized exterior paint schemes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today\u2019s private aviation users expect their aircraft to be an extension of home and office, even while they\u2019re cruising at 45,000 feet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":359947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-359940","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-aviation","entry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/359940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/features"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=359940"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/359947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=359940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=359940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.skiesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Flying-Colours-C850-Interior-1-1024x797.jpg\")
No connectivity? That\u2019s an AOG item<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.skiesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/The_Gulfstream_G650_sparkles_with_its_mica_pearl_basecoat_effect_painted_by_Flying_Colours_Corp-1024x680.jpg\")
Big jobs or small, they do it all<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.skiesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gulfstream-interior-3-1024x726.jpg\")
Complex curves and COTS compartments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.skiesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gulftream-interior-2-727x1024.jpg\")
at any altitude<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.skiesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Galley-1024x683.jpg\")
8 Trends in Private Aircraft Interiors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n