Getting into In-flight entertainment systems work

[Mark Nine]

As an A+C licence holder with no knowledge of In-flight Entertainment, I am posting this question on behalf of my brother-in- law.
In a nutshell, how does someone with massive experience and knowledge of In-car entertainment systems, make the transition to aviation?
Tips and contacts most welcome.

Thanks in advance

[Vortechs Jenerator]

IFE equipment would still have to meet all the stringent aircraft wiring standards, it runs in looms that have bought liners down in the past! Knowledge of the wire mans trade is still crucial, you can't just be good at car stereo's then jump on a 777 (as I guess you already know).

He could try one of the colleges offering aircraft mechanic courses to get some theory under his belt (and a certificate saying so) then get a job as an elec' mech' in a hangar who have large civil types (with IFE) on their exposition.

Take it from there, is my suggestion

[PhilM]

If I recall correctly, theres a guy over on Airmech.co.uk's forums who is always looking for people to do IFE work, think A licence holders were prefered, but it may be a good start, think it was with Panasonic at LHR

Here is his profile: Aircraft Engineers Bulletin Board

[CY333]

Just look what happened to swissair with the IFE.
It brought down their DC10

[Jango]

Another option is try the OEM facilities. They are normally always looking for technicians who have basic electronics skills to train up. More than likely in workshop to begin with but the likes of Panasonic have teams of guys who work line maintenance rectification teams for airline contracts. But to be honest this is not rocket science work, you are replacing screens, replacing handsets maybe loading software, you are not going to be installing the systems on the aircraft.

[Mark Nine]

All good info so far, thanks.
Any more OEM contacts?

[MLT]

Rockwell Collins supply most major business aircraft manufacturers with in-flight cabin managment and entertainment systems, and also support them in the field.

Cabin systems

A list of Field Service Engineers can be found here:

EuMEA Contacts

They should be able to tell you how to go about starting a career in the aviation in-flight entertainment industry.

Lufthansa Technik also provide very good cabin systems, it may be worth looking over their website:

nice: Lufthansa Technik AG

[Whinging Tinny]

MLT

I think you will find Panasonic are a far bigger player in the IFE market than Rockwell Collins.

Top 3 are 1. Panasonic 2. RCI 3. Thales

Panasonic link:

/// Panasonic Avionics Corporation - Elevate the Experience ///

Main HQ in the United States, so website deals with US job vacancy.

Panasonic's UK HQ Address:

Quadrant House, Heron Drive,
Parlaunt Road, Langley, Slough, UK
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

PAC UK often looking for people for their workshops in the UK and that can lead to working on the aircraft side of things.

[MLT]

Whinging Tinny, did I say they were bigger??????

I believe Mark Nine asked for details of other OEM's, and correct me if I am wrong but both Rockwell Collins and Lufthansa Technik supply Cabin Entertainment Systems.

I work in Business Aviation and Bombardier and Gulfstream both use Rockwell Collins Systems on various aircraft, with Lufthansa Technik starting to branch in to the market on the Challenger 300.

[Whinging Tinny]

MLT

Regarding your first statement, I'll stand corrected because I didn't really read the 'business aircraft' part properly.

To quote you and your 2nd part - did I say they weren't????

"and correct me if I am wrong but both Rockwell Collins and Lufthansa Technik supply Cabin Entertainment Systems."

I also know there are smaller companies who deal in the IFE market apart from the three I mentioned.

For your info RCI is Rockwell Collins.

[ARINC]

Panny kit runs on Unix with Apache server....If your up to speed on this your likely to be a good candidate. The rest is just button pushing (CIDS) and maybe the odd box change.

Oh and be prepared to do lots of work under seats.....