While an aircraft is designed to fly for many years, eventually the interior architecture will look dated and worn as the aircraft ages. At some point, when enough cosmetic damage has been sustained and mechanical parts are failing more often, it makes sense to consider installing an IUS (Interior Upgrade System). In addition to parts being worn out, the functionality of certain components and the architecture’s original styling often fall short of today’s expectations.
For some clients, they contract with Heath Tecna to provide a floor-to-floor IUS to dramatically alter the appearance of the cabin so that it looks contemporary. This is often done during a cabin refresh when new seats and other furnishings are replaced so that the visual styles of all components complement each other. Depending on the aircraft’s configuration and customer’s needs, a cabin-wide IUS can also be designed to remove weight from the aircraft and provide additional stowage volume. Our NuLook® product lines for B747 and B767 aircraft are good examples of these types of architectural kits.
Standard cabin interiors are composed of a bin system and sculpted ceilings. Options typically include PSU components, sidewalls, and lighting. Constraints of the outboard bin system or stowage issues usually dictate what type of IUS to order. The choices are:
- Refresh Interior: RI kits can make dramatic visual changes to the interior, and typically add some stowage volume with an enhanced bin or door, but they do not affect the underlying structure significantly or change the bin type
- Pivot Bin Interior: PBI kits make dramatic visual changes to the interior, add a lot of stowage volume, affect the outboard bin structure in significant ways, and convert the outboard bin type from shelf to pivot
- Bin Extension Interior: BEI kits can make dramatic visual changes to the interior, add a lot of stowage volume, do not affect the structure significantly, and just extend the shelf bin inboard using new components
If a customer is not interested in new ceilings, sidewalls, or a complete floor-to-floor interior, but rather just wants to increase overhead stowage capacity, we have IUS kits for that too. Depending on the type of plane and the location of the bin, we can install a new larger PBS (Pivot Bin System) or SBS (Shelf Bin System). Our B747 UD Bin Systems are good examples of these types of products.
As an alternative, stowage capacity may also be added by installing a BES (Bin Extension System). This particular system is comprised of replacement components which enlarge an existing shelf bin, allowing it to stow roller bags in a transverse manner. BES kits are affordable and can be installed overnight with an STC, allowing for uninterrupted service. We were the first to develop and patent bin extension systems and truly are the market leader in this product category.