BAE Systems' new Attendant Control Panel is making work easier for flight attendants onboard the Boeing Next-Generation 737. Incorporated as part of the new Boeing Sky Interior ? just delivered on a new 737-800 to flydubai- the modernized Attendant Control Panel, or ACP, features an intuitive, reconfigurable, touch-screen display that enables flexible, user-friendly control of a number of cabin system functions on the airplane.

"BAE Systems has partnered with Boeing to provide a configurable touch-screen display panel that offers airlines greater flexibility in how they control and monitor cabin system functions," said Steve Hissong, director of commercial electronics for BAE Systems. "Our new Attendant Control Panel is customizable, which reduces the number of part numbers being supplied. The panel's ability to capture system fault data also simplifies maintenance for airlines."

The ACP features a durable, FAA-certified design with a color touch-screen display and a variety of peripheral and network ports. Configurable to airline preferences, the panel controls a number of cabin system functions including dynamic "mood" lighting, environmental systems, and data collection of cabin equipment faults. A key feature of the ACP is a laptop-based software tool that allows airline personnel to modify lighting requirements associated with changes to the passenger cabin layout and to control and modify lighting scenes onboard the aircraft.

Dubai-based flydubai is the first of 46 airlines that have ordered Next-Generation 737 airplanes with the new Boeing Sky Interior option. BAE Systems will supply its ACP on all Next-Generation 737s equipped with the new passenger cabin interior, and plans to partner with lighting system suppliers to develop an LED cabin lighting system upgrade for existing airplanes.