ST Aerospace completes full cabin reconfiguration and refurbishment for DC8 VIP aircraft

Singapore, 20 June 2011 – ST Aerospace has successfully completed a full cabin reconfiguration and refurbishment for a DC8 VIP aircraft commissioned by a Middle East-based customer. ST Aerospace’s scope of work for the aircraft is all-inclusive, and extends from design, engineering and installation to certification and project management.

ST Aerospace’s in-house design and engineering team in Singapore undertook an extensive redesign and reconfiguration of seats, galleys and lavatories to new locations in the aircraft cabin, while the company’s US facility at San Antonio, Texas, performed the modification and refurbishment, as well as managed the engineering authorisation and certification.

The complex project involved the conversion of existing lavatories into a new storage area and a library cum crew workstation, conversion of an air stair closet into a storage area with shelving, replacement of seats, tables, lavatory fixtures and galley features, as well as alteration and installation of entertainment fixtures, including LCD TVs and acoustic curtains. The ceiling panels were also redesigned, while upholstery and carpets replaced.

The refreshed cabin features a stateroom with shower facilities, three passenger lounges, a mid bar, a crew rest area and an aft galley.

“I am delighted that we have successfully completed the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the DC8 VIP aircraft for our valued customer. As one of the few service providers in the aircraft interiors market that has extensive in-house capabilities, ST Aerospace is able to offer customers turnkey solutions for both VIP and commercial aircraft with the best cost, best lead time and the highest quality."
~ CHANG Cheow Teck, President, ST Aerospace

Projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%, the cabin interior retrofit market is expected to grow from the current US$5b to US$7.2b by 2020. Aircraft fleet growth in the second half of the forecast period is expected to drive market growth.

As the world’s leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider, ST Aerospace has been tapping on its established programme management and aircraft engineering expertise to strengthen its capabilities in cabin interiors. The company is authorised to approve minor modifications and repairs to an aircraft, as well as apply for Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for major changes, as it holds the Design Organisational Approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

This translates into less aircraft downtime for customers, both commercial airlines and VIP aircraft operators alike, as they can look to ST Aerospace for turnkey solutions, covering programme management, engineering, certification, kit management, prototype modification and production.

To date, ST Aerospace has successfully completed several cabin reconfigurations leading to EASA STCs, as well as cabin refurbishments, for both airlines and VIP customers.

ST Aerospace’s track record also includes the development of a unique multi-role combination solution for two Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) 757-200 aircraft. The design, modification and certification were performed in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration STC process. Both RNZAF aircraft have been successfully redelivered with enhanced capabilities and are now in operational service. ST Aerospace was awarded the Defence Industry Award of Excellence by the Defence Industry Committee of New Zealand for the innovative and adaptive engineering design of these two aircraft.

Earlier this year, ST Aerospace earned a nomination at the Crystal Cabin Award, an international award for excellence in aircraft interior innovation, for its in-house designed “RetracTable”. This innovative swivel table can be stored away at the passenger seat’s armrest, thus making it easier for economy class passengers who are seated near the windows to get onto the aisle.