Story ID: 165 FlightDisplayNBAA13.doc
Flight Display Systems Presents Total Cabin Control
By: AIN Staff
Caption: 
Word Count: 676
What started in David Gray’s basement a bit more than 13 years ago as Flight Display Systems will now fill an entire BBJ cabin with just about every high-tech connectivity toy and necessity a passenger could want, and they’re on display here at NBAA 2013 (Booth No. N3124).

Perhaps the most eye-catching product is an iPad app for the Alpharetta, Ga. company’s Select cabin management system, allowing wireless control of the entire cabin using all versions of the iPad and the iPhone. The operating screen is similar to Flight Display’s own cabin control module, or the user can opt for a more Apple-centric display. The app is free from the Apple Store.

“So many of our clients have an iPad at hand anyway [that] it only makes sense to be able to use it for cabin management,” said Gray, president and founder of Flight Display Systems.

It might be described as a “go anywhere” app, allowing as many as eight passengers to simultaneously view the zoom-capable moving map and streaming video from the cockpit camera and movies, as well as listen to music from the audio library, control the cabin lighting or signal the flight attendant.

Also being introduced for the first time at NBAA 2013, is a range of Flight Display Systems improvements and upgrades.

The Wi-Fi router is now available for cabin use. The stand-alone feature is described as “easy to use and flexible.” In addition to wireless-N (802.11n) networking, it includes four Ethernet ports and is designed to be paired with the JetJukebox server to provide content-streaming to carry-on devices.

The third-generation JetJukebox upgrade with Wi-Fi streaming capabilities is also being introduced. The entertainment platform streams movies, music, PowerPoint presentations and other content to carry-on devices such as tablets, laptops and smart phones, regardless of brand and serving up to eight passengers simultaneously. JetJukebox also streams the Flight Display moving map, with all content accessed through a browser interface, with no app requirement.

“Jet Jukebox is not only designed for entertainment, but business users can benefit by loading corporate content for presentation to passengers,” according to Flight Display. “Acting as a local file server, any file that a carry-on device can read can be served with JetJukebox–PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.” Content can be loaded to an internal 250 gigabyte solid-state drive, and delivered either by attaching a laptop via an Ethernet port or by plugging in a monitor, keyboard and mouse. It will also serve content directly from a USB drive, and there are six USB ports for this purpose. JetJukebox also connects to existing Wi-Fi routers such as those made by Aircell, Honeywell and TrueNorth.

Aware of the growing numbers of passengers carrying aboard a plethora of personal devices, Flight Display is also promoting its dual USB charger, which provides 5.2 volts DC for full power and fast charging capability. These devices may also be used in flight while being charged. The USB charger is also compatible with Apple, Android and Window devices. The charger features an internal fan for cool operation.

Taking the need for power to the next level, Flight Display is also highlighting its 10X PED sync/charter dock, “a convenient and economical ground solution for syncing, charging and securing up to 10 iPads.

The dock is appropriate, said the company, for flight departments that use iPads as part of an in-fight entertainment system or for flight crew. The unit features a locking door to protect the iPad collection, and LED lights indicate when each device has finished charging. Since August this year, the sync/charger dock works with all existing Apple iPads.

The sync/charger dock uses a single iTunes account installed on a Windows or Mac OS X computer. The computer rests on top of the sync/charger and connects with a USB cable. The dock comes with 10 shorter USB cables and is available in two power versions: 110 volt and 220 volt.