3. By Sylvie Péron
COMPLETION
Redefining
the art of travel
SR Technics
SR Technics is launching a new off-the-shelf interior product for Airbus
and Boeing single-aisle aircraft pitched at a new generation of
customers. The Switzerland-based airline maintenance, repair and
overhaul specialist believes it can cut twenty percent from the average
cost of a completion by reducing much of the customized engineering
requested for many projects. Furthermore, this package will allow a
thirty percent reduction in the typical time for a cabin installation.
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“Customers expectations have chan-
ged,” explains Eric Jan, Head of VIP in-
terior design at SR Technics. “Existing
solutions on the market do not take this
in consideration. As a whole, the avia-
tion industry has been conservative in
the modernization of private aircraft
design. From the organization of space
through to the construction of the in-
terior, VIP aircraft have traditionally
been set up in a standard layout.”
Recently, the industry has been adap-
ting to the market demand for larger
aircraft. Thinking over single-aisle air-
craft cabin interiors has become a ne-
cessity, and for one, the manufacturer
of the popular ACJ319 is working on a
new concept, based on a fresh ap-
proach to the interior of what Airbus
says is the widest and tallest cabin of
any business jet. In Zurich, SR Technics’
team of experts have spent eighteen
months of research and developments,
combining their experience to intro-
duce an innovative design package that
transforms the way cabins are comple-
ted and managed.
A NEW GENERATION OF OWNERS
Eric Jan explains how resale needs are
not taken into consideration properly.
“We see second hand aircraft, waiting
for a new owner and standing on the
tarmac for years. This is due to a very
simple fact: they do not comply with
actual required needs and these aircraft
are very difficult and expensive to mo-
dify. There is a new generation of cus-
A less formal new
generation of customers
seeks a simple, functional
interior that will make it
easier to resell the aircraft
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tomers with different behaviors and
contemporary lifestyle. Often, these are
young self-made entrepreneurs who
seek a simple, functional interior, rather
than one that is highly bespoke, making
it easier to re-sell the aircraft. They see
their aircraft as an investment as well as
a personal statement. They are much
less formal than the previous genera-
tion, and they are looking for pure and
functional interiors. A lot of these new-
generation customers have been edu-
cated in the best schools around the
world and they have new, multi-cultural
expectations. We see a clear request
from our customers for such new kinds
of cabin interior. They want to feel the
experience of flying, of being on the
move. Today we deal with another kind
of people than only a few years ago.
The market has changed.”
FLEXIBILITY
The product, which was officially laun-
ched at EBACE2014, brings together
advanced smart solutions that reconsi-
der traditional layouts to enable optimi-
zation and flexibility of space. SR
Technics claims that due to its highly
competitive pricing and significant re-
duction in the green completion time,
by up to a third compared to the indus-
try norm, the new cabin solution offers
“value that has not been seen in the in-
dustry to date”. The package is based
on a semi-flexible, four-zone cabin des-
ign, with a large entrance area, walk-
through galley, lounge and VIP
bedroom and bathroom. Customers
will be able to select from three color
styles of pre-engineered furniture, in-
cluding divans, tables and storage
units, rather than complete modules.
“We had a dream, we wanted to rede-
fine the Art of travel and create an air-
craft that reflects today's needs.
Owning your individual space above
the clouds. Traveling as in a personal re-
treat. Waking up in a home high in the
sky... and we made it,” explains Jan. “It
is based on lifestyle, light and layout.
We did question conventions and ha-
bits. Flying today in your private aircraft
shall be easy-going. There is no point
trying to avoid the fact that an aircraft
is a mode of transportation. What is
needed is authenticity on board. Clear
orientation is key in addition to a
unique experience of space. Good in-
terior design starts with good space or-
ganization and clarity. Transforming
your vision into a beautifully balanced
cabin experience – that is what interior
design is all about. However, enginee-
ring means anticipating. Understanding
the customer’s dream is only the first
step in building an individual cabin. En-
gineering confronts his vision with the
realities of the lower stratosphere. We
have paid a lot of attention to lasting
values through design. Individual and
extravagant solutions can be mesmeri-
zing at first sight – however, our ap-
proach will also prove its value when it
comes to resale.”
NATURAL LIGHT
“Look at the quality of light at high alti-
tude, it is unique!” exclaims Jan. “We
believe there is a need to use this uni-
queness and to enhance it. We develo-
ped a brand-new solution to filter,
augment or block natural light in a dis-
tinctive way, interacting effortlessly
with the light conditions at 30,000 feet
and establishing a sophisticated sense
of space at all times. As we were deve-
loping the lighting concept, we tried to
visualize how a personal retreat should
feel like, especially at night. And we
Due to its competitive pricing and reduction in green completion time at SR Technics’ Zurich facilities,
the new cabin solution offers unseen before value
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board. Of course, it can also be fully de-
dicated to the crew, upon demand. The
lounge is a vast open area, full of natu-
ral light, directly connected to the gal-
ley. This space is an amazing relaxing
area, which can be used in different
configurations - lounge, dining and
sleeping. In the aft part of the cabin, we
have implemented a private lounge in
direct connection with the bedroom.
This unique Private Area allows the
owner to use the space as desired- for
working, meeting, relaxing, or sleeping.
The space is now fully part of the flying
experience and no longer limited to
sleeping only. It opens onto the ba-
throom, while two large sliding doors
provide full privacy when needed.”
EXCELLENCE STARTS WITH
MATERIAL SELECTION
Imagining all the possibilities and anti-
cipating the limitations of materials
takes a deep understanding of aviation
and the combined experience of a pro-
fessional team. Every material used in
came up with new angle on lighting.”
Optimum quality has been brought to
every aspect. Design elements are en-
gineered for adaptability – enabling
multi-utilization throughout the jour-
ney. SR Technics worked on develo-
ping appealing on-board components.
Inside the cabin no component stands
on its own – every element blends har-
moniously into the overall experience.
The team strongly believes that in the
cabin there are no minor matters, and
genuine craftsmanship will show up in
the detail.
SPECIAL LAYOUT
The stunning entrance area is full of na-
tural light. Unusually spacious for an air-
craft of this size, it is meant as a social
area, connecting to a big open galley.
“We have happily broken one ancient
law of cabin design,” explains Eric Jan.
“The galley is no longer a hidden area.
You are now allowed to have fun there
and entertain your guests. It is a unique
experience bringing a new lifestyle on
Inside the cabin no component
stands on its own,
each one blending harmoniously
into the overall experience
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the Personal Cabin Solution meets the
highest security requirements and in-
corporates cutting-edge modern des-
ign. “We concentrate our expertise on
clean-cut proposals: combining of ma-
terials and colors that have lasting
value. It’s up to the customer to decide
which proposal better matches his
taste,” explains Jan. SR Technics pre-
sented three different ambiances at
EBACE, in order to show the full poten-
tial of their solution - classic, elegant
and modern. These are only sugges-
tions, and custom-made selections are
available for on-board personal touch.
TRUST GOES A LONG WAY
“Our solution has become alive, this is
very exciting for us,” exclaims Jan. “SR
Technics VIP Aircraft Services have
been working and developing a new
cabin solution for more than 18 months
and now the product is entering the
productive phase! We clearly wanted to
differentiate ourselves from the compe-
tition with a different approach. We are
the partners with strong beliefs, with
clear views. We have an enormous pas-
sion for this new solution. Only passion
can lead you to redefine the art of tra-
vel. For more than eighty years SR
Technics has been working at the heart
of aviation. Deeply committed project
management is our precondition for
fixed completion time.
“Our Personal Cabin Solution translates
into transforming high-flying ideals into
approved reality,“ concludes Jan. “Our
new Swiss standard in cabin design fo-
cuses on light, space and symmetries.
The overall guidelines in establishing
our cabin concept have been clear and
consistent since day one of the deve-
lopment process: maximum quality
standards, fixed installation timing, mo-
dular flexibility and alleviated mainte-
nance requirements. The Personal
Cabin Solution is approved and ready
for installation. Ensuring your aircraft
will take off at the agreed time.” I
Eric Jan (white shirt) and his team are very excited as after 18 months
of development, the product enters the productive phase
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