Story ID: 772
LHT’s Chair Gets EASA Nod
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Innovative seating solution can be adapted to meet style and functionality requirements for any business aircraft application. 
Word Count: 316
Lufthansa Technik (LHT, Booth L089) announced its “chair” VIP seat program has received ETSO (European Technical Standard Order) certification and “is now officially available in the market,” according to Oliver Thomaschewski, head of the company’s business unit seating and structures product division. “We now break the paradigm of designing cabins around bulky seats, to selecting the appropriate chair for any environment, just like at home.”

The “chair” family of seating for business aircraft uses a pedestal design that serves as the base of a core skeleton structure upon which designers can create a seat for specific applications within the aircraft. The height, width, depth and overall “look and feel” can be configured for the main cabin, dining area, video lounge, office, bedroom or other location.

“The concept of ‘chair’ opens up an unequaled degree of freedom for cabin interior designers and passenger wishes,” said aircraft interior designer Jacques Peirrejean of Pierrejean Design Studio. “It can wear completely different colors, materials, layers and accessories depending on the level of comfort requested.”

EASA granted ETSOs for the 9-g and 16-g certified chair family. Testing was conducted to maximum dynamic load cases, allowing Hamburg-based LHT to validate changes to the chair platform without extensive re-testing, and the approvals can be used for FAA TSO certification.

LHT also announced it will soon embark on a comprehensive cabin modification program on a green Boeing 787-8 for an undisclosed airline customer. The aircraft, accommodating about 200 passengers, will be outfitted with upgraded inflight entertainment and communication systems, and modified galley and crew rest compartments. Engineering work, as per a Boeing service bulletin, will begin “in the next weeks,” said Walter Heerdt, senior vice-president VIP & special missions aircraft. The 787 will arrive at LHT’s completion center in early autumn, and installation of the modified interior is expected to require about two months.