AviationGlass opens window to new cabin glass solutions

AviationGlass & Technology (AG&T) is here at NBAA showcasing its patented AeroGlass lightweight, ultra-thin glass products. They are the first approved for use in aircraft cabins under EASA’s Part 21G requirements, according to the company. That distinction was earned when AG&T (Booth C10146) received in June an EASASTC for installation of an AeroGlass Lens and AeroGlass Mirror in a Falcon 900, replacing all protective inner windowpanes in the cabin and mirrors in the lavatory.

“These EASA certifications are significant for the industry, as, since 2010, more stringent conditions apply to permit the use of glass inside aircraft cabins,” said CEO John Rietveldt, “and this is the first time any aviation authority has approved the production and installation of such lightweight glass for the interior of an aircraft.” The company was launched in 2012 to produce transparencies and mirrors for the aviation industry. “For us, it also represents a solid step forward in the realization of our vision to upgrade aircraft cabin interiors while guaranteeing safety, which remains of paramount importance,” he added.

AeroGlass is available as:AeroGlass Mirror for lavatory finishes and other mirror applications;AeroGlass Lens, a scratch-resistant inner window panel; andAeroGlass Interior, for interior doors, bulkheads and kitchen appliances. AeroGlass barely expands or contracts when exposed to extreme temperatures and can be produced in any shape or size. Up to 50 percent thinner and 25 percent lighter than traditional polycarbonate products, as well as scratch- and UV-resistant, AeroGlass also boasts high optical quality with its crystal-clear (99.9 percent transparent) panels and mirrors.

AG&T says cost of ownership and maintenance are significantly reduced due to the products’ high level of durability and resistance to scratching when cleaning and handling. Production procedures guarantee quality at delivery time and installation, whereas classic polycarbonate and other polymeric products can result in a rejection rate of up to 70 percent of materials at the time of installation, according to the company.

EASA also issued a Production Organization Approval certificate to the company’s state-of-the-art 43,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Voorthuizen, Netherlands, certifying its quality control system for supplying aviation industry products in compliance with EASA Part 21G. Certification required passing rigorous safety tests including the 21-joule ball impact test, abuse load tests and head impact tests to ensure the glass can safely withstand forceful contact.