FACC receives STC approval for its Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade program
The glass fiber-reinforced composite overhead stowage bins are said to increase space while reducing weight by up to 67 percent.
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FACC (Ried im Innkreis, Austria) has announced that its Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade product for aircraft interiors has been issued a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA, Cologne, Germany) for installation in A320 aircraft.
The stowage compartments are said to improve the functionality of aircraft cabins by increasing stowage space by 67 percent — they can now reportedly store up to five carry-on suitcases instead of three — while reducing weight.
The overhead bin doors are manufactured in a hot press mold curing process, made of a lightweight sandwich structure comprising a phenolic-based, glass fiber-reinforced prepreg combined with an aramid fiber honeycomb core. The milling part is painted with a polyurethane-based, flame-retardant aerospace topcoat. Installed hardware components are injection molded with high-performance polyetherimide (PEI).
By issuing the extension certificate for STC and major repairs, EASA confirms that FACC has established the requisite expertise and processes in accordance with legal requirements in order to develop and approve major changes and repairs to aircraft. The STC is part of the required EASA certificate of airworthiness and entitles FACC to carry out substantial modifications to an aircraft by means of the component developed by its design organization.The launch customer for the FACC upgrade program is Austrian Airlines.
“With the latest certification, we are now able to offer all airlines a Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade as a retrofit for the classic cabin of the A318, A319, A320 and A321 Airbus models,” says Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC. “In addition to the modern look, our new system offers considerably more stowage space for luggage. Another major advantage is easier and faster handling, resulting in shorter boarding times and cost savings.”
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