LED HelioJet cabin lighting certified for the Airbus A320 family

The first joint development of Lufthansa Technik and SCHOTT – the LED cabin lighting solution HelioJet – can now be experienced in normal airline operations: it has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the European aviation authority EASA for the A320 aircraft family, and is currently used for continental flights in an Airbus A319. HelioJet has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the European aviation authority EASA for the A320 aircraft family, and is currently used for continental flights in an Airbus A319.HelioJet delivers white light for extremely homogeneous and pleasant cabin lighting in passenger aircraft. Another advantage of the system is a significant reduction in maintenance costs."We are delighted that HelioJet has already received an STC for the A320 and is being used on scheduled flights," says Dr. Armin Plichta, General Manager of Transportation at SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging. "The solution´s expected operational life amounts to at least 50,000 hours. This represents an enormous gain in longevity over customary fluorescent lights, which only last around 1,000 hours."Andrew Muirhead, Director of Innovation at Lufthansa Technik AG, explains further: "Since Heliojet is a plug-and-play solution, a conversion from fluorescent lighting can be carried out in just two days – which applies to aircraft from the Airbus A320 family and in the future as well to the Boeing 737."Light plays an important role in creating a pleasant atmosphere on board an aircraft. With HelioJet, the two companies have achieved their goal of creating an innovative lighting solution that durably offers passengers the comfort they desire. HelioJet requires only one-fifth as many light diodes as other LED lighting. This has a positive effect on reliability, maintenance and costs and makes the solution extremely attractive for any airline. LED lighting also boasts significantly better environmental compatibility than traditional fluorescent lighting with mercury vapors.In 2014, the solution´s color variant HelioJetTCS (True Color Stabilization), with colored and white LEDs will be launched. A total of 16 million colors, color sequences and color scenarios ensure that any mood lighting that can be imagined can also be created. 04.10.2013, Schott AG