Lufthansa Technik can now offer a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) in China for an inflight connectivity solution on Airbus A320 family aircraft. Chinese operators can thus make easy use of this satellite communication system with high-speed broadband Ka-band connectivity enabled in close cooperation with Honeywell. The EASA STC was validated by the Chinese authority CAAC (Civil Aviation Authority of China), based on the China-EU Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between the People’s Republic of China and the European Union.
The EASA STC for internet on board has already been executed and installed on more than 300 A320 ceo and neo aircraft so far. The EASA STC was validated by CAAC based on the Technical Implementation Procedures (TIP) for Airworthiness and Environmental Certification, a specification of BASA EU-China: It allows for initial and sub-sequent validations in a defined process, and therefore predictable time frame. Moreover, it also ensures further validation mechanisms, additionally accelerating the execution of small adjustments for new customers.
“This represents a milestone in the cooperation of CAAC and EASA in the field of commercial aviation connectivity, made possible by the China-EU Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA). Based on a very light design and more than 300 installations, we can support very fast upgrades in less than four days and high maintenance inspection intervals; together we are offering very low and competitive operational costs to the airlines,” said Lukas Bucher, Head of Connectivity Solutions at Lufthansa Technik.
“Chinese operators can tremendously benefit from our profound experience for inflight connectivity modifications gained with European aircraft. Thus, we guarantee smooth processes as well as MRO support with reliable time frames,” said Xin Wang, Lufthansa Technik’s Chief Representative in China.
Jia Zhijun, Senior Director of Honeywell Connected Aerospace Asia Pacific said: “The MCS-8420 JetWave Satellite Communications System is designed to connect to China’s Ka-band satellite network. This satellite communications installation enables high-speed cabin Wi-Fi for a better passenger connectivity experience. Additionally, it provides pilots with a better internet connection to support flight planning and management, which will help reduce fleet fuel costs, avoid aircraft delays and further enhance airlines’ competitiveness and profitability in the global aviation market. Honeywell is currently advancing the certificate of MCS-8420 JetWave Satellite Communication Systems applicable to other aircraft models.”
The modular radome installation on the aircraft fuselage is ARINC 791 standard compliant and was optimised by Lufthansa Technik to minimise operational and maintenance costs for the airline. The installation is engineered, fully qualified and certified to meet the harsh conditions of continuous commercial airline operation. This includes, for example, optimised aircraft inspection cycles which are aligned with airframe specific base maintenance programmes.
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