Rockwell Collins' PAVES™ Passenger Service System for A330s now certified by AFI KLM E&M

Rockwell Collins’ PAVES™ Passenger Service System (PSS) has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for Airbus A330 aircraft. The company teamed with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) to design, install and achieve the supplemental type certificate (STC) as part of a cabin upgrade for A330 from AERCAP.

Rockwell Collins’ PSS is a standalone, cost-effective reading light and cabin crew call system with USBcharging ports that replaces discontinued or unsupported systems.

Depending on the system it replaces, PAVES PSS can bring weight savings that exceed 1,000 pounds, producing millions of dollars saved annually from a significant reduction in fuel cost. Other benefits of upgrading to PAVES PSS include:
> Flexibility to operate as an independent system or with a variety of passenger entertainment solutions, including wireless, connectivity or overhead IFE such as PAVES Broadcast
> Greater efficiency as it requires much less power to operate than legacy systems
> Improved reliability resulting in a noticeable reduction in recurring maintenance costs.

In a very limited timeframe, Adaptiveness® and expertise of AFI KLM E&M part 21 team allowed to design and certify an innovative solution to integrate this promising system on A330, but also on every other next aircraft type. This flexible system has been installed in AFI KLM E&M hangar in Amsterdam, with the support of Rockwell Collins team on site.

“Obsolescence of legacy reading light and cabin call systems, which are required to sell a seat, will soon become a reality that many airlines have to face,” said Greg Irmen, Vice President and General Manager, Flight Controls and Information Systems for Rockwell Collins. “The innovative installation approach that AFI KLM E&M and Rockwell Collins took during this upgrade and resulting certification makes avoiding obsolescence easy and will more than pay for itself in the long run.”

“In a market where we have to propose innovative and cost-effective solutions to our customers, on a tighter schedule, AFI KLM E&M and Rockwell Collins teams created and implemented together a perfect tailor-made answer,” said Sami Smaoui, Vice President, Aircraft Modification Air France Industries.

PAVES PSS is part of Rockwell Collins’ complete portfolio of PAVES IFE and connectivity solutions that meet the passenger engagement needs of any airline, including seat-centric IFE, broadcast and wireless IFE, high-speed broadband connectivity, moving map and passenger services systems.