CABIN Electronics 3 JUNE21.qxp_Finance 20/05/2021 12:23 Page 3
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save money by ensuring that any upgrade work is itself readily replaceable in the future. Operators should also research their supplier to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that this company will still be in business in ten years’ time. “Some of the biggest obsolescence problems in the past [occurred when] the systems just became unsupported,” Hamilton notes.
Aircraft Size and Age Factors at Play
Steve Elofson, an Avionics Sales Representative with Duncan Aviation (which conducts a range of aftermarket services for business jets, including upgrades to CMS/IFE) says that the size and age of an aircraft will naturally impact upgrade costs for operators. Larger platforms will likely have numerous, complex systems to cover. And age is important on a number of levels, including, for example, that the aircraft could have old wiring that needs to be replaced. 20 Vol 25 Issue 6 2021 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
In such cases, Elofson says “it would be wise to replace the entire system with a new CMS that will be supported for years to come, and offers the latest in technology.” If a system is still supported by its manufacturer, it often makes sense to simply perform upgrades to the existing technology, rather than order a complete replacement, Elofson adds. Though sometimes this may not be possible, nonetheless he advises that operators should generally limit their spending to areas where equipment is obsolete, or where an upgrade would make a significant difference, such as opting for HD displays and other technological improvements “that passengers will use and enjoy during their flight”.
“It is essential for customers to discuss their objectives and establish their thinking as early as possible, engaging with the right specialists.”
Consider the Wider Impact on Cost
Woodwork is often a significant cost associated with CMS upgrades, Hamilton notes. The Cadence system has been
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