nice(tm), the digital, Ethernet-based cabin management (CMS) and in-flight entertainment (IFE) system of Lufthansa Technik, has successfully made its move into the business jet market. Since August 2007 all Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft are delivered from the manufacturing plant in Montreal with nice(tm) (networked integrated cabin equipment) installed. To-date there are already eight jets in service with nice(tm) technology. Aboard the Challenger 300, the basic nice(tm) installation supports a wide range of passenger entertainment and cabin environment management functions.

"The smooth entry into the business jet arena with our nice(tm) system made us a serious player in the market of in-flight entertainment and cabin management systems," says Andrew Muirhead, Director Innovation at Lufthansa Technik. "As part of our program we have ramped up production rates to ensure adequate supply and we are supporting the aftermarket with a fully operational customer support center."

"Bombardier is committed to continue reviewing emerging technologies in order to provide our customers with leading-edge quality products," said Eric Martel, Vice President and General Manager, Challenger and Global aircraft, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "The nice(tm) system helps strengthen the Challenger 300 jet's position as the benchmark aircraft in the super-midsize class, featuring the latest IFE and CMS, including the world's first iPod(r) docking station for a purpose-designed business jet."

The iPod(r) is integrated into the aircraft using a special docking station that streams the audio output via the nice(tm) system's Ethernet network. The digitally distributed audio signal can then be heard at an individual seat or via cabin-lining flat-panel speakers based on technology licensed from QinetiQ in the UK. The iPod(r) itself is remotely controlled at the seat through the nice(tm) graphical user interface neatly integrated into the arm ledge at elbow height. Playlists can be chosen or songs can be played, stopped or paused. In 2008, Lufthansa Technik will be adding the ability to watch video from the iPod(r) on wall or seat-mounted LCDs.

The basic Challenger 300 jet implementation combines the high-capacity Ethernet network with a pair of 20" LCD screens, a digital amplifier feeding the high-fidelity flat-panel speakers, an interface to other aircraft systems to support things like cabin lighting and temperature control, and a DVD player.

Options include the addition of Lufthansa Technik's Mobile Access Router (MAR) to support wireless in-cabin and air-to-ground connectivity, interfaces to third-party systems such as external cameras, moving map and XM Radio.

The introduction of nice(tm) to the Challenger 300 jet is also the world debut for a niceTM installation on the business jet level, which runs on 28VDC power. Previously, Lufthansa Technik had installed the system on various Boeing Business Jets and Boeing 747-400s with a power supply of 115 VAC at 400 Hz.

About nice(tm) The niceTM system was developed and is manufactured by Lufthansa Technik of Hamburg, Germany. Using its Ethernet network cabin functions, the niceTM system allows to control and coordinate audio/video and to process digital data in corporate and private aircraft of any size. Cabin temperature, ventilation, lighting, all parts of the on-board entertainment and communications systems, can be regulated by a remote control unit located within the seat, or a wireless touch screen; for example DVD, CD and MP3 players, LCD screens, surround sound, cameras, detailed 3D terrestrial maps and the latest feature - digital audio/video data on demand.

Other niceTM functions include a 10-inch galley control panel with video preview function, a digital passenger control unit (PCU) with a very small installation depth and a number of intelligent LCD displays (10 to 30 inches) with integral MPEG decoding functions enhancing picture quality (digital end-to-end).